CORRESPONDENCE

HON.  WILLIAM MITCHELL TO WILLIAM C. BOND, ESQ., CAMBRIDGE.

“Nantucket, 10 mo. 3d, 1847.

“MY DEAR FRIEND:  I write now merely to say that Maria discovered a telescopic comet at half-past ten on the evening of the first instant, at that hour nearly vertical above Polaris five degrees.  Last evening it had advanced westwardly; this evening still further, and nearing the pole.  It does not bear illumination, but Maria has obtained its right ascension and declination, and will not suffer me to announce it.  Pray tell me whether it is one of George’s; if not, whether it has been seen by anybody.  Maria supposes it may be an old story.  If quite convenient, just drop a line to her; it will oblige me much.  I expect to leave home in a day or two, and shall be in Boston next week, and I would like to have her hear from you before I can meet you.  I hope it will not give thee much trouble amidst thy close engagements.

“Our regards are to all of you, most truly,

“WILLIAM MITCHELL.”

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HON.  EDWARD EVERETT TO HON.  WILLIAM MITCHELL.

“Cambridge, 10th January, 1848.

“DEAR SIR:  I take the liberty to inquire of you whether any steps have been taken by you, on behalf of your daughter, by way of claiming the medal of the king of Denmark for the first discovery of a telescopic comet.  The regulations require that information of the discovery should be transmitted by the next mail to Mr. Airy, the Astronomer Royal, if the discovery is made elsewhere than on the continent of Europe.  If made in the United States, I understand from Mr. Schumacher that information may be sent to the Danish minister at Washington, who will forward it to Mr. Airy,—­but it must be sent by next mail.

“In consequence of non-compliance with these regulations, Mr. George Bond has on one occasion lost the medal.  I trust this may not be the case with Miss Mitchell.

“I am, dear sir, with much respect, faithfully yours,

“EDWARD EVERETT.”

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EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF THE HON.  WILLIAM MITCHELL TO HON.  EDWARD EVERETT.

“Nantucket, 1st mo. 15th, 1848.

“ESTEEMED FRIEND:  Thy kind letter of the 10th instant reached me duly.  No steps were taken by my daughter in claim of the medal of the Danish king.  On the night of the discovery, I was fully satisfied that it was a comet from its location, though its real motion at this time was so nearly opposite to that of the earth (the two bodies approaching each other) that its apparent motion was scarcely appreciable.  I urged very strongly that it should be published immediately, but she resisted it as strongly, though she could but acknowledge her conviction that it was a comet.  She remarked to me, ’If it is a new comet, our friends, the Bonds, have seen it.  It may be an old one, so far as relates to the discovery, and one which we have not followed.’  She consented, however, that I should write to William C. Bond, which I did by the first mail that left the island after the discovery.  This letter did not reach my friend till the 6th or 7th, having been somewhat delayed here and also in the post-office at Cambridge.