Day-by-Day / March 15, 1803

March 15, 1803

Patterson's Astronomy Notebook

Philadelphia, PA As Meriwether Lewis travels to the Harpers Ferry armory, Robert Patterson writes to President Thomas Jefferson saying that he is preparing a notebook of formulas to help Lewis collect celestial data.

Philadelphia March 15th. 1803.

Sir

I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. [Lewis] and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—

The other formulæ for computing the time, alts. &c are all expressed in the same manner, viz. by the common algebraic signs; which renders the process extremely easy even to boys or common sailors of but moderate capacities.

I am, Sir, with the most perfect respect & esteem, your obedient Servant

Rt. Patterson[1]Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-40-02-0053. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 40, 4 … Continue reading

 

Notes

Notes
1 Robert Patterson to Thomas Jefferson, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-40-02-0053. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 40, 4 March–10 July 1803, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013, pp. 70–74.]

Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail

The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Logo: Lewis and Clark.travel

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.