notices the benefits, which the publick has derived from Harvard College; pays a tribute of gratitude to the generous benefactors of that institution, and addresses to their disembodied spirits the effusions of a heart, strongly impressed with a view of the great and extensive good, arising from their donations. Looking forward to the end of a century from the declaration of independence, he gives a character of the Academy, to which he hopes it will then be entitled in the pages of some eminent American historian.

The liberal spirit, that animates the society,appears in the following extract. "As the society is formed on the most liberal principles,and is of no sect or party in philosophy, it wide extends its arms to embrace the sons of science of every denomination,and wheresoever found; and with the warmth of fraternal affection invites them to a philosophical correspondence: and they may be assured, their communications will be esteemed a favour, and duly acknowledged by the Society."

This discourse appears to flow from a mind, correct, reflecting, well informed; and from a heart, warm with benevolence, patriotism, love of science, and engaged in promoting the best interests of society.

PART I. ASTRONOMICAL AND

MATHEMATICAL PAPERS,

I. A method of finding the altitude and longitude of the nonagesimal degree of the ecliptic; with an appendix, containing calculations from corresponding astronomical observations, for determining the dif ference of meridians between Harvard-Hall, in the University of Cambridge, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the royal observatories at Creenwich and Paris.

By the Rev. Joseph Willard, president of the University, and corresponding secretary of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Previous knowledge of the altitude and longitude of the nonagesimal degree of the ecliptick is requisite in determining the diurnal parallaxes of the heavenly bodies, belonging to the solar system, in latitude and longitude. Such parallaxes are necessarily used in deducing the longitude of places from corresponding observations of solar eclipses, as well as in various other astronomical calculations. The late learned and excellent president of our university has, in this memoir, given a method of finding the altitude and longitude of the nonagesimal degree, which he thinks is not only different from, but to him easier, if not shorter than any other, with which he was acquainted. The method is explained with perspicuity, and illustrated by an example and suitable figures; and may be easily understood by those, who are acquainted with the stereographick projection of the sphere, and spherick trigonometry.

In the appendix, rules are given for calculating the difference of meridians from corresponding observations of solar eclipses; and they are exemplified in determining the longitude of Cambridge from the celebrated royal observatories of Greenwich and Paris, Of the calculations by solar and lunar tables, in which Mayer's were used, it was deemed sufficient to publish merely the results, or particular elements, requisite in the subsequent parts of the process. The principles and rules, stated in the appendix, are well exemplified. It was evidently the intention of the author to render this method of finding longitude

easy to the apprehension of those, who, not having made m..ch progress in subjects of this nature, are yet disposed and qualified to attend to them; and it may with propriety be recommended to their perusal.

The longitude of Cambridge is deduced, from observations of two solar eclipses and one transit of mercury over the sun's disc. The first of these eclipses happened Aug. 5, 1766; the other, June 24, 1778; and the transit of Mercury, Nov. 5, 1743. The observations used are those of the beginning and end of the two eclipses by Dr. Maskelyne, the British royal astronomer, at Greenwich; the beginning and end of the former by Dr. Winthrop at Cambridge, and the end of the latter by the Rev. Phillips Payson at Chelsea, 26" in time eastward from Cambridge, according to a terrestrial measurement, made by President Willard and Mr. Payson; and the observations of the first and second internal and the second external contacts of Mercury, at the said transit, by some eminent French astronomers at Paris; and the second internal and external contacts by Dr. Winthrop at Cambridge. The mean of the results of these calculations, which appear to have been made with great accuracy, gives 4h. 44 31′′* for the longi

On the 60th page the difference of meridians between Paris and Greenwich is considered as 9 16" in time. This is the difference according to the Tables of M. De La Lande, in the second edition of his Astronomic, published in 1771. But later observations have flown it to be 9 20. The difference therefore being called 9' 20" instead of 9 16 the above mean refult becomes 4h. 44' 29". The mean of the three results in the Memoir and that of observations on the solar eclipse of April 3, 1791, is 4h. 44′ 28", which is now considered as the longitude of Cambridge.

tude of Cambridge in time west, ward from Greenwich.

II. A memoir on the latitude of the University at Cambridge: With observations of the variation and dip of the magnetick needle. By Samuel Williams, F.A. A. Hollis professor of mathematicks and natural philosophy in the university.

This memoir contains the observations and calculations, by which the author determined the latitude of Cambridge. For this purpose meridian altitudes of the sun, six stars near the equator, and the pole-star, were observed in the philosophy chamber in Harvard hall with an astronomical quadrant of a radius, equal to 24 feet, made by Sisson. The mean of the results from observations of the stars is 42° 23′ 28" north, which, he concludes, is the true latitude of

Harvard hall.

No mention is made of the firmness or stability of the floor, on which the instrument was placed. It is however of great importance, that the support of the quadrant should be entirely secure from motion, at the time of making ob servations of this kind.

A few facts, relative to the va riation and dip of the magnetick needle at Cambridge, are mention

ed at the close of the memoir.

III. A table of the equations to equal altitudes, for the latitude of the University of Cambridge, 42? 23 28" N. with an account of its construction and use. By the Reverend Joseph Willard, President of the University.

The importance of regulating a clock, that is to be used in making astronomical observations, or determining the rate of its motion, is well known to astronomers. In this memoir is the method of ac complishing this purpose by obe

serving equal or corresponding altitudes of the sun, which is generally used by astronomers, who have not an observatory. The reason of applying a correction to the middle point between the times of the forenoon and afternoon observations, in order to obtain the true noon, is clearly shown by a stereographick projection. Also the manner of obtaining the equation by the solution of two spherick triangles is explained. And then Wales' formula for determining this equation is given and exemplified. By this formula the table was constructed. It contains the equations in seconds and thirds for the latitude of 42° 23' 28" Horth, the arguments being the half interval between the times of observation and the sun's longitude. Small equations are also subjoined, by the addition or subtraction of which the equations in the table may be adapted to any northern latitude between 40° $3′ 28" and 44° 23′ 28′′.

IV. Astronomical observations, made in the state of Massachusetts. By Professor Williams.

The observations and deductions contained in this memoir, relate to nine lunar and four solar eclip ses, one transit of Venus, and two transits of Mercury. Two of the lunar eclipses, namely, those of November 12, 1761, and March 17, 1764, were observed at Waltham. The rest, he remarks, were all that could be observed in this part of America from Jan. 1, 1770, to Jan. 1, 1784. The observations of four lunar and two solar eclipses, which happened within this period before October 1780, were made at Bradford. To view the solar eclipse of October 27, 1780, which arrested much attention, a Nation was taken on the east side

of Long Island in Penobscot Bay, where it was nearly total. Sev eral gentlemen, belonging to the university, accompanied Professor Williams, whose observations he relates. When viewing the subsequent eclipses, namely three of the moon and two of the sun, he was at Cambridge, and some other gentlemen, connected with the university, were associated with him on these interesting occasions, and in addition to his own he has published their observations.

The transit of Venus over the sun the 3d of June, 1769, was ob served at Newburyport; and that of Mercury the 9th of Nov. 1769, at Salem. When a transit of Mercury happened the 12th of Nov. 1782, Professor Williams being at Cambridge, he and two other gentlemen of the university in company with him observed this curi ous phenomenon. Some deductions from the observations, they made, conclude this memoir, which contains many important facts ascertained with care and ability. To be continued.

ART. 2.

Report of the trial of the Hon: Samuel Chase, one of the asso ciate justices of the supreme court of the United States, before the high court of impeachment, composed of the senate of the United States, for charges exhibited against him by the house of representatives, in the name of themselves and of all the people of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors, supposed to have been by him committed; with the necessary documents and official papers, from his impeachment to final acquittal. Taken in short hand by Charles Evans, and

the arguments of counsel revised by them from his manuscript. Baltimore, 1805. S. Butler and J. Keating.

In ancient times, the offices of king and judge were united in the same person; and it is certainly proper, that the father of a nation should be the steward of its justice, to dispense it among the members of his family. But experience proved, that the union of the original branches of government, in the same person, tended to despotism, and that a magis trate, with such prerogatives, was too apt, in the plenitude of his power, to forget their legitimate object. The wisdom of most modern legislators has therefore separated the legislative, the executive, and judicial departments, to the end that their systems may be "governments of laws, and not of men." Of these departments, the most vulnerable is the judiciary, and therefore it ought to be most strongly fortified by publick favour. Any wanton attack on its independence, any thing maliciously contrived to intimidate a judge in the exercise of his office, or to lessen the confidence of the people in his wisdom or integrity, is a crime against the state. This offence assumes a more terrific form, when it is committed by either of the co-ordinate branches of the government, because of the greatness of the oppressor and the extensiveness of the mischief. A firm and an independent judiciary is the greatest security against that spirit of accommodation, which varies according to times and political occasions. Tyranny may exist under any form of government. The voice of experience has proclaimed this truth, and should warn the advocates for the

republican system, not to be to confident of its superior excellence. For whatever may be its perfection in the visions of theory, we know that it is liable to be disturbed by the whirlwinds of party rage, and that, in such commotions, the great and the good, who are always the most conspicuous objects of popular envy, are the first victims of popular madness.

No event of a domestick nature has, since the adoption of the federal constitution, excited in the United States a more universal interest, than the impeachment of Judge Chase. It is not for us to arraign the motives of the triumphant majority in the house of representatives, who voted in favour of that measure. But whether the charges against that citizen were well founded, or whether political intolerance, rather than a regard for the pure administration of equal laws, led to that prosecution, will appear from an examination of the volume before us. We would however confide in the wisdom and integrity of the constituted authorities of our country; and we wish to believe, that their conduct always results from patriotick principles, far exalted above any views of private interest or party rage.

The book is well worthy the attention of the law student, as it contains an exhibition of judicial proceedings, and much learning on the law of impeachment, and as it will stand as a precedent for future times. The course of proceedings at this trial was similar to that in cases of impeachment in GreatBritain. Great formality was observed throughout the scene, suited to the dignity of the court, and to the solemnity of the occasion. After the reading of the articles of impeachment, and the

1. The first article charges Judge Chase with arbitrary, oppressive, and unjust conduct on the trial of John Fries for high treason, before the circuit court of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, in 1800: 1. In delivering an opinion in writing on the question of law, on the construction of which the prisoner's defence materially depended, be fore counsel had been heard in his defence. In restricting the counsel for Fries from recurring to such English authorities, and from citing certain statutes of the United States, which they thought favourable to his defence. And 3. In debarring the prisoner's counsel from addressing the jury on the law, as well as on the fact, which was to determine his innocence or guilt. In consequence of which conduct, Fries was deprived of the right of a fair trial, and was condemned to death, without having been heard by counsel.

II. The second article alleges against the Judge, that at a circuit court, held at Richmond, in 1800, on the arraignment of one James Thompson Callender, indicted for a libel on John Adams, then president of the United States, he overtuled the objection of one of the Vol. III. No. 1.

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jury, who wished to be excused from serving on the trial, because he had made up his mind as to the publication.

III. For not permitting the evidence of John Taylor, a material witness for Callender, to be given in, because his testimony would not substantiate the truth of the whole of one of the charges in the indictment, although it embraced more than one fact.

IV. For manifesting,during the whole of the said trial, injustice, partiality,and intemperance: 1. In compelling the counsel for the prisoner to reduce to writing all questions, which they meant to propound to Mr. Taylor. 2. In refusing to postpone the trial, on an affidavit of the absence of a material witness in behalf of the accused. 3. In using unusual, rude and contemptuous expressions towards the prisoner's counsel. 4. In repeatedly and vexatiously interrupting them, so that they were obliged to abandon their cause and their client, who was thereupon convicted; and, 5. In manifesting an indecent solicitude for the conviction of the accused.

V. In awarding a capias, instead of a summons, against Callender, whereby his body was arrested, contrary to the law of Virginia, which, according to a law of the United States, should have regulated the process.

VI. In ruling and adjudging Callender to trial, during the term, at which he was presented and indicted, contrary to the law of Virginia.

VII. The seventh article alleges against Judge Chase, that at a circuit court of the United States, for the district of Delaware, in 1800, he refused to discharge the grand jury at their re quest, though they had found nơ