Description:

Superb Free franked address leaf of James Madison addressed to Ferdinand R. Hassler first Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Survey

JAMES MADISON (1751-1836) Address Leaf franked "Free James Madison," 9.75" x 8". Postmarked "Orange CH, VA., JUL 3" [1835]. Addressed by Madison to "F.R. Hassler, Esqr. / Washington City." On watermarked paper. Seal tear. Fine condition.

A color photocopy of Madison's July 2, 1835, letter is present as are transcripts of Hassler's reply and a letter from the Rector of the University of Virginia to Madison concerning Hassler.

Madison had written, in full, "I have just received your letter of June 29th, and immediately communicated your object to the Rector of the University with an expression of my confidence in your scientific qualifications for the professorship lately vacated. With friendly respects and good wishes."

Swiss-American mathematician and geodesist, Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler (1770-1843 was the first Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, now the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, from 1816- 1818 and 1832-1843. In 1818, Congress gave the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy responsibility for coastal surveys, so the Survey of the Coast existed without a superintendent, and without conducting any surveys, during the 14 years from 1818-1832 when Congress placed the responsibility for coastal surveying back in the Survey of the Coast.

Thomas Jefferson founded and was the first Rector of the University of Virginia from 1819 until his death in 1826. He was succeeded by James Madison who served as Rector until 1834 when he was succeeded by Joseph C. Cabell (1834-1836, 1845-1856).

Hassler replied to Madison on July 27, 1835. In part, "Your favor of the 2d. inst gave me great satisfaction, I thank to you very much for your kindness of recommending me for the Professorship vacant at the Virginia University. I have since written to Mr: Joseph C: Cabell, Rector of it, in more detail, as by the Prospectus the place is to be filled by the 1.st Septr…"

Cabell replied to Madison on July 25, 1835. In part, "The vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Doct: Patterson, as I have since been informed by Genl. Cocke, was filled by the appointment of Professor Henry of Princeton. The Genl. has also stated to me confidentially, that in the event of the refusal of Professor Henry to accept the appointment, he was authorized to offer the place to Professor Rodgers, of Wm. & Mary, about whose readiness to take it, there is no doubt. Thus the Vacancy may be considered as having been already filled; and there is now no room for presenting the claims of Mr. Hassler…"

Prof. Joseph Henry declined the appointment, later serving as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1846-1878. Prof. William Barton Rodgers was appointed and served as Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Virginia from 1835-1853.

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