Chapter XI: Part 11

The Georgium Sidus was not discovered until about fifteen years before
Dr. Rittenhouse’s death; and the first discovered of the four last
mentioned planets was not known in America, for almost five years
after that event.

Footnote 231:

“There is perhaps no individual of the present age,” (says the writer
of the article “Astronomy,” in the New Edinburgh Encyclopædia, now
publishing under the direction of Dr. Brewster,) “to whom practical
astronomy owes deeper and more lasting obligations, than to Mr. Edward
Troughton. The great improvements which he has made upon astronomical
instruments, and the extreme accuracy with which he divides them, have
rendered his name celebrated in every part of Europe, and have
inspired the practical astronomer with a confidence in his
observations, which he had hitherto been unaccustomed to feel. There
is scarcely an observatory of any consequence, either in this country”
(Great-Britain,) “or the continent, that does not contain some of Mr.
Troughton’s instruments; and there are few series of observations, in
which they have not been used. The admirable observations of Mr. Pond,
on the declinations of the principal stars, were made with an azimuth
circle of Mr. Troughton’s construction. The mural circle, which Mr.
Groombridge of Blackheath uses, in his numerous and accurate
observations, was made by the same artist. The splendid mural circle,
of 6 feet 2 inches radius, which Mr. Troughton is at present preparing
for the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, will cost 700_l._”
(equivalent, in money of the United States, to $311111/100,) “and will
be one of the most magnificent and accurate instruments that has ever
been erected.”

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From the time our astronomer became established in Philadelphia, until the year 1787, he resided in a house belonging to the late Mr. Thomas Clifford, at the south-east corner of Arch and (Delaware) Seventh streets: But the mansion which Mr. Rittenhouse had erected for himself, the preceding year, on his Observatory-lot at the diagonal corner of those streets, being then compleated, he removed thither; and there continued his residence, during the residue of his life. It was about this time, perhaps towards the close of the year 1786, that he was compelled by the duties of his office, as sole trustee of the loan-office, to put in suit the bonds which accompanied the mortgages of sundry delinquent loanees. The bonds were placed in the hands of the Writer of these Memoirs, for that purpose; with instructions to treat the delinquents with every reasonable degree of forbearance. This lenity was observed, agreeably to Mr. Rittenhouse’s desire; few suits were instituted, and payment of the monies due, or the greater part of them, was not long after obtained.

Early in the year 1787, the expected appearance of a new comet in that year, engaged Mr. Rittenhouse’s attention: and on that occasion he addressed the following letter to Mr. Ellicott.

“_Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1787._

“Dear Sir,

“The elements of the new Planet have been pretty well determined by
several European astronomers. The following I have extracted from the
Almanack[232] for 1787.

Mean Longitude 4^h 2° 21′ 58″ } To Dec. 31,
Mean Anomaly 4 8 53 56 } 1787, at noon,
Place of Aphel. 11 23 28 2 } Paris.
Ascending Node 2 12 52 54 }

Mean Motion in Long. in 365 days 4° 19′ 47″
in 30 days 21′ 21″
in 24 hours 42″.7

“The Aphelion and Nodes move according to
the precession of the Equinoxes; that is 50″.3 per ann.
Inclination of the Orbit 46′ 13″

Log. of greatest distance from the Sun 6.3007701
Log. of least distance 6.2594052
The Log. of the Earth’s mean dist. from ☉
being 5.0000000

“Dr. Halley’s Table of the equation of ♃’s orbit will do very well for
computing the place of Herschel’s planet, only subtracting 1/16 part
of the equation there found; the greatest equation of this planet
being 5° 27′ 16″. So, if from the Log. to any degree of anomaly, in
the Table for Jupiter, we subtract 1/76 part of the excess of that
Log. above the least, and to the remainder add the constant Logarithm
.5647750, we shall have the Log. for ♅ sufficiently accurate. On these
principles, I have computed the Right Ascension of ♅, and find both
agree with my own observation, to a few seconds.

“I am sorry you have engaged the notice of *******. Men of his
principles, with a printing-press at command, are the greatest pests
of society.

“My very bad state of health, and a multiplicity of business, have
prevented my answering yours as soon as I wished to have done it. I
am, Dear Sir, your Friend and Humble Servant,

“DAVID RITTENHOUSE.

“ANDREW ELLICOTT, ESQ. Baltimore.”

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Footnote 232:

The Nautical Almanack.

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The correctness of the calculations respecting the Georgium Sidus, stated in this letter, is noticed in the following extract from one of Mr. Ellicott’s Almanacks.

“The reader will find in this Almanack a continuation of the planet ♅.
The elements on which the calculations were made, appear by
observation to be very accurately determined, not only by the
astronomers in Europe, but by my ingenious friend Mr. Rittenhouse,
whose knowledge of the theory and practice of astronomy, is not
surpassed in the old world.”

From this time, until his resignation of the treasurership of Pennsylvania in the autumn of 1789[233], Mr. Rittenhouse appears to have continued to be pretty much engaged in the duties of that office. A short time before this event, the Writer of these Memoirs visited the city of New-York; where the first congress, chosen under the present constitution of the United States, were then convened, having commenced their session on the fourth day of March preceding: and on that occasion, Mr. Rittenhouse addressed a letter to General Washington, then President of the United States, recommendatory of his friend and nephew. Delicacy forbids this relative to present to public view that portion of the letter, which more especially relates to himself: but the introductory part of it is here presented to the reader, for the purpose of testifying the continuance of the high esteem entertained for the truly great man to whom it was addressed, by one who never disguised his sentiments. This extract is as follows:

“_Philadelphia, Aug. 14, 1789_[234]

“Sir,

“However unwilling I am to add to that multitude of letters which must
encroach so much on your precious time, I cannot altogether forbear,
without doing violence to my feelings. As we have, all of us, through
the course of life, been greatly indebted to the good offices of
others; so we are no doubt under obligations to perform the same in
our turn, as well with respect to our particular friends, as society
in general.

“Mr. William Barton, my sister’s son, knowing that you have heretofore
honoured me with your acquaintance, I might, perhaps, say friendship,
is willing to believe that any thing I can say in his favour, might
have some weight with your Excellency.—

* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *

“Wishing your Excellency every happiness, I have the honour to be,
Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient humble servant,

“DAVID RITTENHOUSE.

“His Excellency the President of the U. States.”

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Footnote 233:

In this interval, that is to say, towards the close of the year 1788,
Dr. Rittenhouse’s eldest daughter was married to the late Jonathan
Dickinson Sergeant, Esq. of Philadelphia.

Footnote 234:

A few days after this date (about the 20th of August,) the writer of
these memoirs was nominated by the president to the senate, and by
their advice and consent thereto was appointed, to be one of the
judges of the western territory (now the state of Ohio, &c.): the
other judges, nominated and appointed with him, were Samuel Holden
Parsons and John Cleves Symmes, Esquires. Major-General Arthur St.
Clair, who may, in some respects, be considered as a modern
Bellisarius, was at the same time appointed, in like manner, to be
governor of that territory.[234a] The writer declined the honour
intended for him by this appointment, which was unsolicited on his
part: he resigned it in a day or two after.

The promptitude with which this mark of president Washington’s
approbation of the person recommended to him by Mr. Rittenhouse, was
bestowed, is an evidence of the respect in which the president held
that gentleman’s recommendation; and it is the more so, as Mr.
Rittenhouse’s letter was the only one addressed to the president on
that occasion.

Footnote 234a:

For many interesting particulars concerning the sufferings and
ill-requited services of this respectable veteran—of a man who once
filled the chair of congress, and uniformly possessed the friendship
and confidence of WASHINGTON, see his _Narrative_, lately published.

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On the 10th of November, 1789, the following letter from Mr. Rittenhouse, offering his resignation of the office of treasurer of the state, was presented to the general assembly; and, after having been twice read, was, by order of the house, entered on their minutes.

_November 9, 1789._

“Sir,

“On account of the very unfavourable state of my health, as well as
because I most earnestly wish to devote some of the few remaining
hours of my life to a favourite science, I find myself under the
necessity of declining the office of treasurer.

“I have now held that office for almost thirteen years, having been
annually appointed by the unanimous voice, so far as I know, of the
representatives of the freemen of this state; a circumstance I shall
ever reflect on with satisfaction, and which does me the greatest
honour.

“I will not pay so ill a compliment to those I owe so much, as to
suppose the principal motive in these repeated appointments was any
other than the public good; but I am nevertheless very willing to
believe, that a regard to my interest was not wholly out of view. And
I shall, perhaps, never have another opportunity of expressing, with
so much propriety, my sincerest gratitude to the representatives of my
countrymen, whose favour I have indeed often experienced on other
occasions.

“I accepted the treasury, when it was attended with difficulty and
danger, and consequently when there was no compensation for it. Soon
afterwards, a depreciated currency, prodigiously accumulated, made it
extremely burthensome, without any prospect of profit.

“In a more favourable situation of our affairs, it might have been
lucrative, had not the very small commissions allowed by law, been
scarcely equal to the risk of receiving and paying. In 1785, my
commissions were increased, and the office was for some time
profitable; but the difficulties or remissness in collecting the
public revenues, again reduced it to a very moderate compensation.

“If, however, the embarrassments of the office have, in general, been
little understood by those not immediately concerned in it; if the
emoluments of it have been greatly exaggerated in the public opinion;
I am still the more obliged to the several assemblies, who, under
these impressions, have nevertheless continued me so long their
treasurer.

“The confidence of the public I have ever esteemed so invaluable a
possession, that it has been my fixed determination not to forfeit it,
by any voluntary act of impropriety. Where my conduct has been
deficient in the discharge of my duty, I hope it will be imputed to
want of ability, and not of integrity.

“Fully sensible of the importance of the office I have the honour to
hold, I cheerfully commit it into the hands of those who properly are,
and ever must be, the guardians of the public good. I am, sir, with
great respect, your most obliged and very humble servant—

“DAVID RITTENHOUSE

“The honourable the Speaker of the Assembly.”

From the commencement of the year 1777, at which period Mr. Rittenhouse was invested with the treasurership of his native state, until the month of September following, when its capital was actually possessed by the British army, that city was in imminent danger of an hostile invasion. When it was reduced to a moral certainty, that the speedy occurrence of such an event was inevitable, he had retired with the treasury (as before noticed) to Lancaster, as a place of security; where he remained until the succeeding summer: when, after the evacuation of the capital by the British forces, he returned thither, and replaced the treasury in its ancient seat. The time, therefore, at which he accepted the office of treasurer, was truly one of “difficulty and danger.”

That it was not, for many years, a lucrative place, must be apparent from the ever memorable circumstance of the great and unexampled depreciation of that species of paper-currency, called continental money;[235] which was the only circulating medium of the United States, until the year 1782, when the bank of North America went into operation. The vast accumulation in the treasury, of that depreciated and daily depreciating substitute for money, must necessarily have been “extremely burthensome” to the treasurer, and could not have afforded him “any prospect of profit,” during the first five years of his tenure of the office. And it was not, in fact, until those last few years, which constituted the interval between the time of augmenting the commissions and his retirement from the office, that the treasurership was profitable to him. During the greater part of the time he held it, the profits of the office did not enable him to employ even a clerk: nor could he have performed the numerous and laborious duties of that station (such as they then were,) had he not been greatly assisted by the assiduity, care and abilities, of an excellent woman—Mrs. Rittenhouse. Singular as this circumstance may appear, this notice of it seems due to the memory of an highly meritorious wife; while, on the other hand, it must be acknowledged, that it does not reflect any honour on the liberality of a great, wealthy, and populous state. Such a man as David Rittenhouse ought to have been otherwise employed, by a generous and enlightened public: the exercise of his transcendent talents, in works of great and permanent public utility, would not only have constituted services which would have entitled him to a bountiful remuneration; but such as would have conferred great additional benefits and honours on his country.

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Footnote 235:

According to Dr. Ramsay, “the depreciation began at different periods
in different states; but, in general, about the middle of the year
1777, and progressively increased for three or four years.” In the
first four or five months of 1780, it depreciated to 50 or 60 for one.
“Its circulation,” continues Dr. Ramsay, “was afterwards partial; but,
where it passed, it soon depreciated to 150 for one. In some few
parts, it continued in circulation for the first four or five months
of 1781; but in this latter period, many would not take it at any
rate, and they who did, received it at a depreciation of several
hundreds for one.”

_Hist. Am. Revol._

In October, 1779, it was resolved by congress, that no further sum in
this paper-money should be issued, on any account whatever, than
would, when added to the sum then in circulation, amount to 200
millions of dollars. In their circular letter of the 13th of September
preceding, addressed to their constituents, congress asserted the
practicability of redeeming all the continental bills at par, with
gold and silver; and rejected, with indignation, the supposition that
the states would ever tarnish their credit by violating public faith.
“These strong declarations in favour of the paper-currency,” says Dr.
Ramsay, “deceived many to repose confidence in it, to their utter
ruin.” In addition to the amount of many millions of dollars, in
paper-emissions of the several states, congress, soon after, actually
continued to issue their own paper, until it amounted in the whole to
the enormous sum of 200 millions of dollars! That which was of little
value before, now became of less, and soon afterwards good for
nothing. The inevitable consequence was, that thousands of meritorious
citizens were entirely ruined, and others greatly injured in their
property.

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That he should have had, in thirteen years, successively, an unanimous annual vote for the office of treasurer, is a very strong testimonial of the exalted sense which his countrymen entertained of his integrity: it would have been so, under a popular government, at any period. But when it is considered, that, during the whole of the time he held the treasurership, the people of Pennsylvania were divided into two opposing parties, which sprung into existence with the adoption of the state-constitution of 1776, the unanimity of their representatives in favour of this individual, is still more conclusive evidence of his merits. Most of those men in the community, best acquainted with human nature, and practically versed in the science of politics, very early pointed out the radical defects of the new frame of government; and predicted the utter incompetency of that instrument, as they conceived, to promote the true interest and happiness of civil society. In a single legislative body, a plural executive, and in a limited duration of the judicial authority—consequently, an undue dependence of the judges on the executive for their re-appointment,—they foresaw those evils, which were too soon realized: and in a septennial council of censors, such as that constitution provided for,[236] they beheld a political chimera, at variance with common sense and the experience of mankind. Men entertaining these views, formed, of course, one of these parties.

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Footnote 236:

The judiciary is the only department of government, in a republic, the
officers of which ought (conformably to the principles of that form of
government) to be permanent in their stations. Judges, in order to
secure their independence, and thereby enable them to administer
justice faithfully and impartially, should hold their offices _quamdiu
se bené gesserint_: and, should they violate the condition of this
tenure, the constitution should provide, as that of Pennsylvania, in
conformity to those of the union as well as her sister states, does,
that they should no longer continue in office. Thus, this branch of
the government would have formed the only safe and effectual check,
against such unconstitutional attempts as might be made upon the
chartered rights of individuals or the public, by either the
legislative or executive power. But, unfortunately, the dependent
nature of the judiciary, under the constitution of 1776, rendered it
incompetent to that end. Hence, as was noticed by the writer of these
memoirs on a former occasion,[236a] “the framers of the first
constitution of the state of Pennsylvania discovered the indispensable
necessity of providing some tribunal for preserving the constitution
entire. They accordingly instituted a periodical body, in the nature
of a judicial inquest, and styled the council of censors; whose duty
it was, “to enquire whether the constitution had been preserved
inviolate in every part; and whether the legislative and executive
branches of government had performed their duty, as guardians of the
people, or exercised other or greater powers, than they were entitled
to by the constitution.” “This censorial tribunal was, however, ill
calculated to answer the purposes of its institution. It was, itself,
a temporary body, appointed immediately by the people. In the
alternation, and casual ascendency, of different parties in the
country, a contingency inseparable from the nature of a popular
government, the council of sensors became the representatives of the
passions, the prejudices, the political interests, of whatever party
might happen to be the predominant one at the moment of their
election. If this should prove to be the same party with that which
had borne the sway, during the seven years immediately preceding their
election, they would be disposed to sanction the proceedings of that
party: otherwise, they would be likely to censure and pronounce
unconstitutional, the official measures of an adverse party, without
just cause, impelled thereto by a spirit of party-hostility.

“Under a government thus constituted, all would be uncertain and
insecure. From the deficiency of one stationary and independent
department in its administration, the rights of the people and the
best interests of the state would, eventually, become the sport of
opposite and contending parties; these rights and interests would be
sacrificed at the shrine of some desperate and unprincipled faction;
the constitution itself, destitute of any steady disinterested support
against their machinations, would be overthrown: till, finally, the
people, having no longer any rallying point of security for their
persons or property, would be driven from anarchy and licentiousness
into the arms of despotism.

“It is further worthy of remark, that the council of censors was an
inefficient and a nugatory tribunal, in one most important particular:
Numerous unconstitutional acts of the legislature might have been
carried into effect, and have had their complete operation, attended
by the most unjust and ruinous consequences, before they could be even
pronounced unconstitutional.”

Footnote 236a:

In a pamphlet, entitled “The Constitutionalist; addressed to men of
all parties in the United States”—published in Philadelphia, in the
year 1804.

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The other was composed of the projectors of the constitution of 1776, and other speculative politicians; together with all those whom they were enabled to influence, through the medium of their prejudices, their inexperience or their interests.

These two parties continued to divide the state, until the adoption of the fœderal constitution. The great and multiplied evils which resulted to the people of the United States, after the restoration of peace, and which had also been severely felt during the greater part of the war, from the inefficacy of the original confœderation of the States, had convinced all thinking men of the necessity of forming a more energetic national government, as the only remedy for those evils. And the actual formation of such a government, aided by the long experience which the citizens of Pennsylvania had then acquired, of the injurious effects of their own existing constitution, disposed them soon after to establish the present constitution of the state, which was done in convention on the 2d of September 1790; a form of government, free from the palpable errors of the preceding one, and much more consonant to the genius and spirit of the fœderal constitution.

It is, then, a very extraordinary circumstance, and one that reflects great honour on the character of Mr. Rittenhouse, that, in the long course of years during which the people of Pennsylvania were thus divided into two contending parties, he alone could unite the favourable opinion of both parties, respecting his superior claims to hold one of the most important offices in the government.

Although little more than six years and an half intervened, from the time of Mr. Rittenhouse’s resigning the treasurership of the state, until the period of his decease, literary and other public honours then flowed in upon him. He enjoyed, likewise, the satisfaction of experiencing, during that short interval, multiplied proofs of the esteem in which his abilities and character were held, both at home and abroad. And, notwithstanding it appears to have been his wish, when he retired from the treasury, to decline for the future any official situation, or public employment of any kind, not connected with science; in order that he might, without interruption, devote the remainder of his life to his favourite pursuits; a variety of public trusts, some of them requiring arduous duties, were constantly pressed upon his acceptance.

Shortly before he resigned the treasurership, the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Mr. Rittenhouse, by the College of New-Jersey: his diploma bears date the 30th of September, 1789. This respectable seminary had given him the degree of Master in the Arts, seventeen years before[237]; and this new honour was a further pledge of the high estimation in which he continued to be held by the regents of the institution. His diploma for the Doctorate has a place in the Appendix.

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Footnote 237:

In September, 1772.

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The College at Princeton, in New Jersey, then possessed—as she still does—the first Orrery constructed by Dr. Rittenhouse; a monument of his genius and abilities, that seemed to give him a just claim to this highest academical honour, appropriate to his character, which the college could confer.

This institution, called Nassau Hall, was founded about the year 1738; but its original charter was enlarged by Governor Belcher, in 1747. The president and trustees of Nassau Hall possessed a power, by their charter, of granting to “the students of the college, or to any others thought worthy of them, all such degrees as are granted in either of the universities, or any other college, in Great Britain.” This privilege, it is believed, was not enjoyed generally—if at all, in any other instance[238], by the American colleges, before the revolution; as it is supposed they were restricted, prior to that era, to the conferring of degrees in the Arts only. But all the superior seminaries of learning, in the United States, now possess the right of creating Bachelors and Doctors, in Divinity, Law, and Medicine: and it is greatly to be wished, that they may always dispense these high academic honours with impartiality and a due discretion.

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Footnote 238:

Unless, perhaps, in that of King’s College (now Columbia College,) in
New-York.

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The college-edifice at Princeton is a stately and durable one, constructed of stone; and it will afford satisfaction to the reader, to be informed, that in this building is deposited the Rittenhouse Orrery. He will derive additional pleasure from learning, that this grand machine has, lately, been repaired in some considerable degree, and at a great expence, by the ingenious Mr. Henry Voight, of the Mint: by whom, that belonging to the University of Pennsylvania, has likewise been put in good order. Neither of these Orreries appeared to have suffered any material injury from the British troops, during the war of the revolution; though it has been generally believed, they did. The libraries, indeed, and some of the apparatus, belonging to both the colleges in which the Orreries are placed, experienced great losses from the presence of an hostile army in their vicinity: but the officers of that army seem to have respected these greater works of human ingenuity.[239]

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Footnote 239:

Dr. Morse observes, that, before the American war, the College of
New-Jersey was furnished with a philosophical apparatus, valued at
more than thirteen hundred dollars; “which, except the elegant Orrery
constructed by Mr. Rittenhouse,” says the Doctor, “was almost entirely
destroyed by the British army, in the late war; as was also the
library, which now” (this was in 1789) “consists of between two and
three thousand volumes.”

With a view to the obtaining, with greater certainty, information
respecting the condition &c. of the Orrery in Princeton College, the
writer of these memoirs addressed a letter on the subject, to his
worthy and much respected friend, the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D.
D. then president of that institution:[239a] To that letter the
learned president promptly returned the following answer:

_Princeton_, May 3d, 1812.

“Dear Sir,

“I just redeem a moment, before the closing of the mail, to inform
you, that Dr. Rittenhouse’s Orrery cost at first 300_l._ Pennsylvania
currency. It was his own moderate price, and immediately paid him by
Dr. Witherspoon,[239b] on behalf of the College.

“The Orrery was very much injured during the revolutionary war: but
has been since partly repaired by a gentleman in your city,[239c] who
formerly worked with Dr. Rittenhouse, and under his direction, in its
fabrication. The injuries which it received were comparatively small,
by the British soldiery. A guard was set to protect it: and the
officers were said to be contemplating its removal to England; this,
at least, was the general report and opinion. The principal injury was
produced by our own militia, when the college was appropriated as a
barrack for them. Many of the wheels were seen to be taken off, as
handsome curiosities. This, however, was no more than was to be
expected from a number of ignorant men, so imperfectly disciplined as,
at that time, they were.”

“I am, dear Sir,
Your friend and very humble serv’t.
SAMUEL S. SMITH.”

Footnote 239a:

The Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D. of Philadelphia, has since been appointed
to the Presidentship of the College at Princeton, on the resignation
of Dr. Smith.

Footnote 239b:

The President of the College.

Footnote 239c:

Mr. Henry Voight.

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On the first day of January, 1790,[240] Dr. Rittenhouse was elected one of the Vice-presidents of the American Philosophical Society; his colleagues, in this office, being the Rev. William Smith, D. D. and John Ewing, D. D. both of them able and distinguished astronomers.

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Footnote 240:

It was in the autumn of this year that the second (and youngest
surviving) daughter of Dr. Rittenhouse was married to the late
Nicholas Baker Waters, M. D. of Philadelphia.

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This appointment he held but one year; in consequence of the death of Dr. Franklin,[241] on the 17th day of April following.[242]

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Footnote 241:

A very eloquent and interesting Oration on this occasion, being an
eulogium on Dr. Franklin, was delivered on the 1st of March, 1791,
before the American Philosophical Society and agreeably to their
appointment, by the Rev. William Smith, D. D. then one of the
vice-presidents of the society; for which the orator received their
unanimous thanks.

In a note addressed to the public by Dr. Smith, and prefixed to this
eulogium in the first volume of his works, the Doctor acknowledges the
assistance derived by him, in its composition, “from the friendly
communications of some of his learned colleagues, among the officers
of the American Philosophical Society:” viz. David Rittenhouse, Esq.
LL.D. President of the Society; Thomas Jefferson, Esq. LL.D. one of
the Vice-Presidents; Jonathan Williams, Esq. one of the Secretaries;
and Benjamin Rush, M. D. one of the Council. To Dr. Rittenhouse, he
makes his acknowledgements, “for sundry papers, which have been
digested into the account of Dr. Franklin’s _Electrical and
Philosophical Discoveries_;” which occupy six or seven pages of the
printed eulogium.

Dr. Rittenhouse was well acquainted with the principles of
Electricity; at least, so far as they appear to be hitherto
understood. It is believed that, pretty early in life, he acquired a
knowledge of this branch of science; which he occasionally cultivated
afterwards. A letter written by Dr. Franklin to Mr. Landriani, on the
utility of electric conductors, will serve to shew, that “our
astronomer” (as Franklin styled him) had employed the instrumentality
of his “telescope,” in observing some of the effects of lightning.
This letter, which is dated “Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 1787”, is in these
words:

“I have received, sir, your excellent dissertation on the utility of
electric conductors which you have had the goodness to send me, and I
have read it with much pleasure. I beg leave to return you my sincere
thanks for it.

“I found, on my return to this country, that the number of conductors
was much increased, the utility of them having been demonstrated by
several experiments, which shewed their efficacy in preserving
buildings from lightning. Among other examples, my own house one day
received a severe shock from lightning: the neighbours perceived it,
and immediately hastened to give assistance, in case it should be on
fire; but it sustained no damage: they found only the family much
frightened by the violence of the explosion.

“Last year, when I was making some addition to the building, it was
necessary to take down the conductor: I found, upon examination, that
its copper-point, which was nine inches in length and about one third
of an inch in diameter in the thickest part, had been almost entirely
melted, and very little of it remained fixed to the iron rod. This
invention, therefore, has been of some utility to the inventor; and to
this advantage is added, the pleasure of having been useful to others.

“Mr. Rittenhauss,[241a] our astronomer, has informed me, that having
observed with his excellent telescope several conductors which were
within his view, he perceived that the points of a certain number of
them had been in like manner melted. There is no instance where a
house furnished with a complete conductor has suffered any
considerable damage; and those even which had none have been very
little injured, since conductors have become common in the city.”

Footnote 241a:

So written by Dr. Franklin.

Footnote 242:

The body of Dr. Franklin was interred in the cemetery belonging to
Christ-Church in Philadelphia, under a plain marble tomb-stone,
inscribed with only his name, the time of his decease, and his age.
But the following epitaph on himself was written by him, many years
before his death. As it contains a pretty allusion, typically
expressed, to his belief in the Immortality of the Soul, it may not be
deemed superfluous to add, on the present occasion, the testimony of
this philosopher in concurrence with Rittenhouse’s, on that subject.
If the doctrine had needed any further verification than before
established it, the suffrages of two such men as FRANKLIN and
RITTENHOUSE could scarcely fail to remove the doubts of the most
sceptical. This epitaph is copied from Stuber’s Continuation of the
Life of Franklin.

THE BODY
of
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, _Printer_,
(Like the Cover of an old Book,
It’s Contents torn out,
And stript of its Lettering and Gilding,)
Lies here, food for worms;
_Yet the Work itself shall not be lost_,
For it will (as he believed) appear once more,
In a new
And more beautiful Edition,
Corrected and amended
by
THE AUTHOR.

XX

-----

In supplying the vacancy which had thus occurred in the Presidentship of the Society, the members of that body could not hesitate in selecting, for that honourable station, a suitable successor to their late venerable patron and chief: the eyes of all were immediately directed towards Dr. Rittenhouse. He was accordingly elected to be President, at the stated annual meeting of the Society for the purpose of chosing their officers, held in January, 1791. On being notified of this appointment, he addressed the following letter to Mr. Patterson, one of the secretaries of the Society.

“_Philadelphia, Jan. 22 1791._

“Sir,

“I am extremely sensible of the honour the members of the
Philosophical Society have done me, by electing me their President, in
the room of that very worthy patron of the Society, the late Doctor
Franklin.

“They have, by this act of theirs, laid an additional obligation on me
to promote the interests of the institution, by the best means in my
power, to which I shall ever be attentive; though my ill state of
health will frequently deny me the pleasure of attending the stated
meetings.

“I send you, herewith, two letters which you will please to
communicate to the society.—I am, Sir, your very humble servant.

“DAVID RITTENHOUSE.”

---

“In this elevated situation, the highest that Philosophy can confer in our country,” says his learned and eloquent Eulogist,[243] “his conduct was marked by its usual line of propriety and dignity.”—“Never,” continues his Eulogist, “did the artificial pomp of station command half the respect, which followed his unassuming manners in the public duties of this office. You will,” says he, “often recollect, Gentlemen, with a mixture of pleasure and pain, the delightful evenings you passed in the Society, every time he presided in your meetings. They were uniformly characterized by ardour in the pursuits of science, urbanity, and brotherly kindness.”

-----

Footnote 243:

Benjamin Rush, M. D.

-----

About the time of Dr. Rittenhouse’s elevation to the Presidency of the Philosophical Society, and indeed pretty generally afterwards, the delicate state of his health confined him much to his house and his observatory. On a dry day, he would, occasionally, walk a little abroad; in the proper seasons, he would now and then recreate himself in a pretty little flower-garden adjoining his house, which Mrs. Rittenhouse took pleasure in decorating. His evenings were uniformly passed at home; except at the times of the stated meetings of the Philosophical Society, when he usually attended, if the weather permitted.

Besides a few of his most intimate friends, who were in the habit of visiting him pretty often towards the close of the day[244], many strangers of distinction, and persons who had no particular claims upon him on the score of friendship, made him occasional visits at other times: but in such portions of his time as he could retrench from these avocations, he was much employed in reading; and the books he read comprehended works of literature, taste, and science. He blended the _utile cum dulci_, in the choice of his subjects; and while he devoted some of what might be called his leisure hours, such as were abstracted from his more appropriate pursuits, to works of amusement, he did not neglect studies of a more serious and important nature. He was at no loss for books: independently of his own collection, he had ready access to two valuable and extensive public libraries[245]; those of several literary gentlemen were open to him; and some of his friends occasionally supplied him with new publications. The following note addressed to him by Mr. Jefferson, in the beginning of the year 1791, will shew that Dr. Rittenhouse then devoted some attention to chemistry, and that he continued to read works of natural science, in French, as well as in his own language.

-----

Footnote 244:

Of those gentlemen who were among Dr. Rittenhouse’s more particular
acquaintances, and with whom he maintained the closest friendship,
few, if any, visited him more frequently than the late Francis
Hopkinson, Esq.

Mr. Hopkinson was a man of genius, taste and learning. He possessed an
exuberance of refined and genuine wit, rarely to be met with; and his
vein for satire, which was always applied to useful ends, was almost
unrivalled. His knowledge of music was correct and extensive, both in
the theory and practice of that art; and he had also a critical
acquaintance with painting, as well as a good judgment, in relation to
the fine arts in general. These qualifications and attainments, united
with a vivacious temper, a knowledge of mankind, and a love of virtue,
rendered him a pleasing companion: but the more solid acquirements in
literature and science, of which, also, he possessed a very
considerable share, made his society not less interesting than
agreeable. No one set an higher value on Dr. Rittenhouse’s talents and
virtues, than this gentleman; their esteem was mutual; and a constant
and intimate friendship long subsisted between them.

Mr. Hopkinson held an appointment in the Loan-office of Pennsylvania,
for some years. He afterwards succeeded George Ross, Esq. in the
office of Judge of the Admiralty, for that state. In this station he
continued until the year 1790; when President Washington, by whom he
had the honour to be much esteemed, conferred on him the place of
Judge of the District Court of the United States, for Pennsylvania:
which important office he held during the remainder of his life. A
collection of Judge Hopkinson’s writings, on various subjects, was
made after his death, and published in the year 1792, in three octavo
volumes; constituting a curious and entertaining miscellaneous work.
He died on the 8th of May, 1791, in the fifty-third year of his age,
and somewhat more than five years before his venerated friend,
Rittenhouse.

Mr. Hopkinson was one of the executors of Dr. Franklin’s Will; but he
survived the Doctor little more than a year.

Footnote 245:

Belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia, and to the American
Philosophical Society.

-----

“TH. JEFFERSON sends to Mr. Rittenhouse Bishop Watson’s essay on the subjects of chemistry, which is too philosophical not to merit a half an hour of his time, which is all it will occupy. He returns him Mr. Barton’s papers[246], which he has perused with great pleasure; and he is glad to find the subject has been taken up by so good a hand: he has certainly done all which the scantiness of his materials would admit. If Mr. Rittenhouse has done with the last number of the Journal de Physique, sent him by Th. J. he will be glad to receive it, in order to forward it on to Mr. Randolph: if not done with, there is no hurry.

“Monday morning.”

-----

Footnote 246:

The papers, referred to by Mr. Jefferson, were “Observations on the
probabilities of the Duration of Human Life, and the progress of
Population, in the United States of America;” addressed, in the form
of a Letter, to Dr. Rittenhouse, Presid. of the Am. Philos. Society,
and afterwards published in the third volume of the Society’s
Transactions.

-----

---

The relation in which Dr. Rittenhouse now stood to the American Philosophical Society, of which he had attained to the honour of being the President, renders it proper that some account should be given, in this place, of an institution heretofore distinguished by its Transactions. The following are the leading features in its history.

This Society was instituted on the 2d day of January, 1769, by an union of two literary societies that had subsisted some time previously, in Philadelphia. In the same year this united body petitioned the general assembly of the province to grant them the privilege of erecting a building, suitable for their accommodation, on some part of the State-House square. But the Library Company of Philadelphia, also a very useful and respectable institution and a much older corporation, having about the same time made a similar application to the legislature, in their own behalf, the prayer of neither was then granted. The latter have, long since, erected for their accommodation a large, commodious and elegant structure[247], on a lot of ground purchased by them for the purpose, in the immediate vicinity of the public square originally contemplated for its site.

-----

Footnote 247:

In a niche, over the entrance into the edifice, is placed a Statue, in
white marble, of Dr. Franklin; presented to the Library Company by the
late William Bingham, Esq. of Philadelphia.

-----

A second petition was presented to the general assembly by the Philosophical Society, for the same purpose, soon afterwards; though without success. But, finally, in pursuance of another application to the state legislature by the Society, for the same object, a law was enacted on the 28th of March, 1785; by which a lot of ground (being part of the State-House Square) was granted to them, for the purpose of erecting thereon a Hall, Library, &c. “for their proper accommodation.”

The ground appropriated by the legislature, for this purpose, contains seventy feet in front on (Delaware) Fifth-Street, (and nearly opposite the Hall of the Philadelphia Library-Company,) and fifty feet in depth; on which the Society erected, between the years 1787 and 1791, a neat, convenient, and spacious edifice: it was completed under the direction and superintendence of Samuel Vaughan, Esq. formerly a vice-president of the Society; and by means of this gentleman’s disinterested exertions, principally, somewhat more than $3500 were obtained from about one hundred and fifty contributors, towards defraying the expense of the building. Dr. Franklin gave at sundry times, towards this object, nearly $540 in the whole amount.[248]

-----

Footnote 248:

The Doctor also made, at different times, valuable donations to the
Society, in Books and some other articles.

-----

The act of assembly of 1785 having, however, restricted the corporation of this Society, not only from selling or transferring, but from leasing, any part of the ground thus granted to them, or of the erections to be made on it, a supplement to that act was obtained, on the 17th of March, in the following year; authorizing the Society to let out any part of their Building, for such purposes as should have an affinity to the design of their institution; but restricting the profits arising from any such lease to the uses for which the Society was originally instituted. The cellars and some of the apartments in the house, have been leased accordingly; and the profits arising from these leases constitute a considerable part of the Society’s funds, which are of very moderate extent. The resident members pay to the Treasurer a small annual assessment, fixed by a by-law of the Society: these payments, in addition to occasional donations in money, made by members and others,[249] form the residue of the funds of the Society; besides which, they receive from time to time valuable presents, in books, astronomical and other instruments, &c. Their library, philosophical apparatus, and collections of various kinds, are now respectable.

-----

Footnote 249:

It is due to the liberality of the general assembly of 1782-3, to
notice in this place, that on the 16th of February, 1783, that
legislative body of Pennsylvania made a grant to the American
Philosophical Society, of four hundred dollars.

-----

The objects of this institution are readily comprehended, from its name; the style of the corporation being—“The American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia, for promoting Useful Knowledge:” And with this view, in its formation, the fundamental laws (passed on the 3d day of February, 1769,) direct, that “The members of the Society shall be classed into one or more of the following committees:

1. Geography, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy.
2. Medicine and Anatomy.
3. Natural History and Chemistry.
4. Trade and Commerce.
5. Mechanics and Architecture.
6. Husbandry and American Improvements.”

The same original laws and regulations of the Society indicate the style of the several officers of the institution, and prescribe the duties of their respective stations: they likewise direct the manner in which the general economy of the Society shall be managed, and their proceedings, in the more appropriate business of their institution, arranged and conducted. “These Rules,” say the Society (in an Advertisement prefixed to the first volume of their Transactions,) “were adopted from the Rules of that illustrious Body, the Royal Society, of London; whose example the American Philosophical Society think it their honour to follow, in their endeavours for enlarging the sphere of knowledge and useful arts.”

The Officers of the Philosophical Society are—a patron, who is the governor of the state for the time being—a president—three vice-presidents—a treasurer—four secretaries, and three curators,—together with twelve counsellors; which last board of officers was created by an act of the legislature, in the year 1780, and the same law designates the duties of their appointment.

The number of members of this Society is not limited: it consisted of three hundred, forty years ago; and, probably, now amounts to about four hundred and fifty. Of this number, however, a large proportion is made up of foreigners; many of whom are eminent personages, and men of the most distinguished abilities in various departments of science, in different parts of the world.

The Proceedings, hitherto, of this very respectable association of literary and scientific characters, have been published in six[250] quarto volumes, denominated the “Transactions” of the Society: Besides which, several learned and ingenious Orations—including two or three of much eloquence, under the title of Eulogiums—have been delivered before the Society and by their appointment, by members of their body.

-----

Footnote 250:

Part the 1st of the 6th volume was published in the year 1804, and a
continuation of that volume, in 1809.

-----

These outlines will serve to furnish the reader with some ideas of the nature, condition, and character of an institution, which has, in many respects, reflected honour on the country to which it belongs. Its usefulness,[251] it is earnestly to be wished, will not be suffered to diminish, by any declension of that noble ardour in cultivating, that public spirit in promoting, learning and science, which, while they adorn the names of individuals, contribute to the glory of a nation. Let a hope be still cherished, that notwithstanding the tumult, the folly, and the distractions, which at the present day pervade a large portion of the civilized world, the period is not remote, when tranquillity, good sense and order, shall resume their blest dominion over the conduct of the too many now infatuated nations of the earth.—Let a belief be yet encouraged, that under the guidance of a benign Providence, not only the rising generation will be found zealous to emulate the fair fame of a FRANKLIN and a RITTENHOUSE; but even, that good and rational men in our own time, and among ourselves, will continue to cultivate the arts of peace, and to promote those objects of literature and science, which, at the same time they meliorate the heart and elevate the mind, contribute to the happiness of the individual and the general welfare of mankind.

-----

Footnote 251:

At the death of Hevelius, as Lalande remarks, Europe abounded with men
of science, whose various nations disputed the glory of important
discoveries, and of perfecting those which had been already made. The
Academy of Sciences at Paris and the Royal Society of London produced,
above all, as the same learned writer further observes, that
revolution (as he is pleased to term it,) by the great number of
illustrious men and celebrated astronomers, which they gave to Europe.
The Royal Society was instituted in the year 1660; and it is deserving
of notice, that this was the period at which the English nation was on
the eve of a restoration of their legitimate and orderly government,
after the boisterous and unhappy times of Cromwell and his pretended
Commonwealth: The Academy of Sciences was established in 1666; not
long after France had likewise been distracted by domestic factions;
but, when the great Colbert had restored the finances of the state,
and not only invigorated but improved every department of that
powerful monarchy. Lalande designates this period, as an era
distinguished for the renewal of astronomy, by the establishment of
Academies. Such are the proofs of the usefulness of institutions of
this nature.

-----

Dr. Rittenhouse’s attachment to the interests of the institution of which he had been thus recently elected President, was amply manifested soon after. In the month of November, of the same year, he presented to the Society, the sum of 308_l._ (equivalent to 821⅓ dollars,) for the purpose of discharging a debt due by their corporation to the estate of the late Francis Hopkinson, Esq. the treasurer, then deceased. This liberal donation was thankfully received; and the acknowledgments of their grateful sense of it were made to the donor, by the following address,—expressive as well of their feelings on the occasion, as of the high opinion they entertained of his merits and character.

“To DAVID RITTENHOUSE, Esq. LL.D. President of the American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia, for promoting Useful Knowledge.

“Sir,

“The American Philosophical Society embrace the present occasion of a meeting for stated annual business, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated Nov. 15th, addressed to their treasurer; in which you are pleased to inform him, that you have paid the 308_l._ due to the late Judge Hopkinson, and will lay the bond and mortgage before the Society; expressing your hopes, that this benefaction, on your part, may “encourage the Society to exert themselves to get rid of some other heavy debts and incumbrances.”

“This renewed instance of your liberality joined to the consideration of the illustrious part which you have taken in their labours, for many years past, has made such an impression upon them, that they are at a loss in what manner they can best express their gratitude, or their respect and veneration for your name.

“At any time, and in any country, such a “brilliant present” would indicate a mind that can feel the inseparable connection between Learning and Human Felicity: But in the present state of our finances, it is a most important benefaction; and a noble specimen of Literary Patronage in a young empire, where many other improvements must share with the Arts and Sciences, in the public attention and bounty.

“We are sensible of the necessity of extinguishing the other heavy debts of the Society, with all possible speed, and have appointed a proper committee for that purpose.

“Signed in behalf, and by order, of the Society, at a meeting held the 16th day of December, 1791.

“JOHN EWING, WILLIAM SMITH, TH. JEFFERSON, _Vice Presidents_.

“JAMES HUTCHINSON, JONATHAN WILLIAMS, SAMUEL MAGAW, _Secretaries_.”

To which address, Dr. Rittenhouse returned this answer.

“Gentlemen,

“The satisfaction I feel, in contributing something towards promoting Science, the interests whereof are, I am persuaded, inseparable from those of humanity, is greatly increased by your very polite approbation.

“My sincerest wishes are, that you may ever merit public encouragement, and enjoy the patronage of the generous and the good.”

In the spring succeeding Dr. Rittenhouse’s election to the Presidency of the Philosophical Society, his name was included, jointly with those of Thomas Willing, Esq. and the late Samuel Howell, Esq. in a commission to receive subscriptions, in Pennsylvania, to the Bank of the United States. This appointment was made by President Washington, on the 26th of March, 1791.

Soon after, he was commissioned by Governor Mifflin to be one of three joint “Agents of Information,” relating to the business of opening and improving certain roads, rivers and navigable waters, in Pennsylvania. His colleagues in this commission were the Rev. Dr. William Smith and William Findley, Esq. and this board of commissioners, whose appointment bears date the 10th of May, 1794, was erected in pursuance of an act of assembly, passed the 13th of April, preceding. These gentlemen, it appears, proceeded on that service; for, about two months after their appointment, monies were advanced to them, towards defraying the expences to be incurred in executing the duties of their commission.