“
trious collection of all preceding facts of the same nature, and of all the testimony in favor of the recent fact, & I doubt
not it contained the documents you allude to, tho not having the book here I cannot refresh my memory as to that fact . .
.
”
Joseph Izarn, 1766-1834?, French physician and physicist.
[648]
22
Williams’s thermometrical navigation.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 30. no. 8, as above.
WILLIAMS,
Jonathan.
Thermometrical Navigation. Being a series of experiments and observations, tending to prove, that by ascertaining the relative
heat of the Sea-Water from time to time, the passage of a ship through the Gulph Stream, and from deep water into soundings,
may be discovered in time to avoid danger, although (owing to tempestuous weather,) it may be impossible to heave the lead
or observe the Heavenly Bodies. Extracted from the American Philosophical Transactions. Vol. 2. & 3. with additions and improvements
. . .
Philadelphia: Printed and sold by
R. Aitken,
1799.
VK553 .W72
8vo. 57 leaves; folded engraved map; the last leaf with the copyright notice, errata slip pasted down on page v.
Jefferson’s copy was a presentation from the author, to whom the former wrote from Philadelphia on January 15, 1800: “
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & thanks to m(
~r
)
Williams for the copy of his Thermometrical navigation which he was so kind as to send him. he has read it, as he had done
before, in another form, with great satisfaction, and has no doubt it will be of great utility to navigators. Th: J. has for
some time wished he could try the thermometer daily in the river near which he lives . . . but the present course of his life
forbids it . . .
”
Seven years later, on January 28, 1807, Williams solicited Jefferson’s help in distributing the pamphlet: “Col. Williams most respectfully sollicits The President of the United States to permit him to deposit in his hands Six copies
of his thermometrical navigation requesting him to distribute them according to his pleasure among the Persons he may think
proper to employ to survey the Coast.
"Col W would not trouble The President, if he knew of any other way of contributing this mite, towards so usefull & important
an undertaking.”
Jonathan Williams, 1750-1815, merchant and soldier was a nephew of Benjamin Franklin, to whom many references occur in this work, which is
dedicated to Thomas Truxton, Esq. Commander of the American Frigate
Constellation. Williams held several appointments at West Point at the instance of Jefferson and was its first superintendent. He was the
founder of the Military Philosophical Society.
[649]
23
Kirwan’s temperature of different latitudes.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 30. no. 12, as above.
KIRWAN,
Richard.
An Estimate of the Temperature of different Latitudes. By Richard Kirwan, Esq. F. R. S. and Member of the Academies of Stockholm, Upsal, Dijon, Dublin, Philadelphia, &c.
London: Printed by
J. Davis, for
P. Elmsly,
1787.
