Letter from Charles S. Peirce to Carlile P. Patterson
(Berlin, 04.06.1875)



 

Spanish translation & annotations




                                    

Berlin, 4th of June 1875

C. P. Patterson Esq
Superintendent
U. S. Coast Survey
Washington D. C.

 

Dear Sir

I yesterday had an interview with Lieut-Gen. Bäyer, the President of the Geodetical Institute here, when he informed me that he had become dissatisfied with the reversible pendulum and wished to adopt the plan of swinging an invariable pendulum in vacuo.


He has already brought the matter before the council of the Europäische Gradmessung and it is to be settled at a meeting in Paris in September. He was so decided in his condemnation of the instrument & of all that had been done with it that it will somewhat modify the immediate value of my swings here.

He fully explained to me his new plans, which I shall wish to consider further & meantime I must ask that if it is possible my appropriation for the coming fiscal year be increased by $1000 so that I may make a first payment upon a new instrument which I feel that

 

it will be necessary to have in order to put us on a level with what the other nations are designing. I fully believe that by discussing the matter personally with the leading men in all countries as I am doing, I shall be able to have the best plan.

If possible I must go to Pulkowa. I find Repsold’s price even for an inferior transit is much above what we are prepared for. But I think in Pulkowa I can do better. I also wish to see Struve

 

            Yours very respectfully

                           C. S. Peirce

P. S. General Bäyer tried swinging pendulums in mines without any good result.




Transcription by Max Fisch (Peirce Edition Project), revised by Sara Barrena
Una de las ventajas de los textos en formato electrónico respecto de los textos impresos es que pueden corregirse con gran facilidad mediante la colaboración activa de los lectores que adviertan erratas, errores o simplemente mejores transcripciones. En este sentido agradeceríamos que se enviaran todas las sugerencias y correcciones a sbarrena@unav.es
Proyecto de investigación "Charles S. Peirce en Europa (1875-76): comunidad científica y correspondencia" (MCI: FFI2011-24340)

Fecha del documento: 19 de julio 2012
Última actualización: 6 de agosto 2013

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