94 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER VII, SCIENTIFIC RECORD.

[BY REV. A. S. DUDLEY.]

EARLY TENDENCIES-PROMINENT NAMES --Dr. DANIEL DRAKE- ASTRONOMICAL SURVEY OF PUBLIC LANDS - COL. JARED MANSFIELD- PROF ORMSBY MITCHELL.

THE city of Cincinnati and the county of Hamilton early became the seat and center of scientific work and results. Within a few years after the first settlement here and the location of the city there were found among the citizens men of rare talents and rich attainments, who gave themselves to the work of developing the county and founding a society which should be fully abreast with the times and foremost in the march of the progress of the human race. They wrought intelligently and skillfully, and brought scientific principles and forces and methods to the aid of their great work.

The nation, in all its history, has produced few men of equal or like genius to John Cloves Symmes, one of the founders of Cincinnati. In mental endowment and force, in philosophic spirit, in originality of conception and in ingenuity and energy of execution, in patriotic and philanthropic devotion and in lofty aims, he was a rare man. He attracted other kindred spirits, and created around the locality an atmosphere stimulative to intellectual ambition and scientific pursuits.

These early pioneers labored amid many limitations and difficulties. Their scientific devotion and enthusiasts were their inspiration and their noble public spirit was their impulse. No labors could daunt them, no hindrance discourage them. They wrought with abundant success. They founded a city and builded institutions which have perpetuated their spirit, and have followed and favored intellectual growth and scientific development.

Space is not afforded in the compendium of the history of the county for the record of the details of the beneficial work of these high-minded pioneers, nor even to catalogue their names. As an illustration of their type, it will not be invidious to make mention of several illustrious men who have left the stamp of their genius and the inspiration of their spirit on the community.

No one who reviews the history of the past times can fail to note the prominence of such risen as Daniel Drake. In his profession or in his work as an investigator and author, as well as in his devotion to the public good, he occupied an enviable position. He was a practical worker, and not a mere speculative dreamer. His books, the earliest published here, and even to this day the ablest, gave the growing city a name and fame abroad. His work in founding the first Medical College and the Commercial Hospital was a magnificent achievement, and these institutions are his monument.

Hamilton county enjoys a scientific honor brighter in its conception and broader in its practical results, than that belonging to any other locality in the nation. This distinction resulted from the exigency in the affairs of one department of the nation's business. When Mr, Jefferson came into office he was confronted by a condition in one branch of executive administration, which offered the most serious elements of social disturbance and threatened even the existence of the government. The Northwest Territory was a munificent domain. In soil and climate, and in all material resources, it possessed "a potentiality of wealth, beyond the dreams of avarice." A swarm of prospective occupants were flocking to it, and provision must at once be made for the allotment of lands, the definite marking of boundaries and the authentic conveyance of titles, on the part of the government.

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The system of random surveys and "indiscriminate locations," employed in Kentucky, had resulted in so much inaccuracy and error and had produced so many and such serious disputes among the settlers, that it was found impracticable and almost impossible to allot lands under it. The Federal Congress in 1785, two years before the ordinance organizing the Northwest Territory, had passed an ordinance providing for a systematic survey of the public lands, by plotting townships six miles square, marked by lines running due north and south, and crossed by lines running due east and west, and the subdivision of these townships into sections, each containing six hundred and forty acres. This is the system of rectangular coordinates. It was favored by the eastern States, and opposed by the southern States which favored the old plan of "indiscriminate locations."

This law providing for the survey of lands by rectangular coordinates had not been put into operation, and for the bust of reasons. The system, in order to be accurate and uniform, must be based upon lines accurately determined upon astronomical surveys. The law provided for an astronomical system of surveying. No astronomers were known to exist, who had ever done this kind of work, or who had ever board of it being clone. Certainly such astronomers were not found among land surveyors. Mr. Jefferson was puzzled to find such a man. No one was an applicant. for the place. It was not desirable for a man of scientific culture and tastes anti pursuits. He must become a pioneer and proceed to the wilds, and camp in the forests, and wade through the swamps and the streams, and must live, for a time, at least. just as other pioneers lived.

In his search Mr. Jefferson carne upon the man who had the scientific qualifications. This was Col. Jared Mansfield, of New Haven, Conn., but, unfortunately, the President had just appointed Mr. Mansfield to another most important work, that of organizing West Point Military Academy. Mr. Mansfield was a graduate of Yale College, a thorough classical scholar, and had given special attention to the higher mathematics. He was a successful and popular teacher. He was also an author, having published an original work, entitled " Mathematical Essays," treating of profound and obtuse problems of the higher mathematics. His book showed him to be among the foremost mathematicians of the country and of the age. He was eminently qualified for the task of organizing the military academy, and Mr. Jefferson for a long time hesitated to ask him to relinquish that important work. But ho finally realized that he could not find another man so well qualified for the work of setting in operation the new and indispensable system of the astronomical survey of the public lands. He offered Mr. Mansfield the office of Surveyor General. Mr. Mansfield was both to accept the new office and its arduous work. An institution of liberal learning was the field of labor most congenial to his scholarly tastes and training. In order to induce him to accept the surveyorship, the President assured him of holding his commission in the army, and of the opportunity of returning to tie work at West Point, after he should have inaugurated the new system of surveys. On these conditions Mr. Mansfield became Surveyor General, and proceeded to the preparations needful to execute the work on lands.

Serious hindrances were still in the way of proceeding with the survey, after the astronomer had been found. There were no astronomical instruments in the country adapted to this field work; nor were there any manufacturers of such instruments in the country. The celebrated Trauton, of Fleet street, London, England, was the nearest source from which an observatory outfit could be obtained.

There was no appropriation of funds by Congress for such a purchase. To meet this lack without departing from strictly legal methods of procedure, the President applied a part of his own contingent fund for their purchase. Three years from placing the order with Mr. Trauton the instruments were safely landed at Cincinnati, in 1805. Mr. Mansfield was already upon the ground, an([ gladly welcomed the instruments. They consisted of a three-foot telescope, well mounted, a thirty-

96 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

inch portable transit, and an astronomical clock. There was also a lot of necessary books, and mathematical tables. The whole cost of these, when packed by the maker and ready for shipment, was $1,054 in our currency.

The same year Mr. Mansfield removed to Cincinnati and began his work. He rented the residence of Israel Ludlow, at the Ludlow Station, now Northside, but at that time said to be five miles from the city. Here he set up his instruments and founded the first observatory west of the Alleghany Mountains. The first line run by Mr. Mansfield was the principal meridian passing through the mouth of the Great Miami river, and extending to the northern boundary of the United States. Thus does Hamilton county have the honor of the first survey under the system ever since used, and everywhere applied.

These old astronomical instruments followed Col. Mansfield on his return to West Point, and are now deposited in the Philosophical Department of the Military Academy at West Point. Let it here be asked, what more interesting relics for a Cincinnati Museum of History and Science than these historic instruments could possibly be obtained, and is it not probable that the general government might be induced to surrender their custody to this city

Under the direction of the government, Col. Mansfield ascertained the latitude and longitude of many important places. His scientific services would render him illustrious in any time and in any place When it is considered at what a sacrifice of personal tastes and ease he rendered these important services, his public spirit, his patriotism and his devotion to duty, can be appreciated.

Even the partial mention of scientific achievements would be incomplete without the mention of Prof. Ormsby Mitchell, who came later on the scene. His brilliant talents, his indomitable energy, his unquenchable enthusiasm, and his attractive personality, gave him a hold upon the citizens, which enabled him to induce them to found the observatory, at great cost, and amid the most disheartening difficulties. He left the luster of a great name, and the inspiration of a noble spirit, which still are acknowledged and felt.

These are sufficient illustrations of the scientific spirit prevailing among the pioneers of Hamilton county, and serve to account for the intellectual cast and artistic tastes which have always characterized the community.