1Thomas Jefferson to Melatiah Nash, 15 November 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your letter of Oct. 24. on the publication of an Ephemeris. I have long thought it desirable that something of that kind should be published in the US holding a middle station between the Nautical, & the common popular almanacs. it would certainly be acceptable to a numerous & respectable description of our fellow citizens, who, without undertaking the higher astronomical...
2Melatiah Nash to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
having frequently observed the small degree of knowledge which prevails amongst mankind in general respecting the solar system and the Stars, and believing a general dissemination of astronomical knowledge would be of great utility, I am preparing for the press a small work, which, it is presumed, will lay a foundation for general improvement in that important science. But before its...