1To James Madison from Joseph Nevill, 8 December 1795 (Madison Papers)
Having been disapointed in my Election to Congress, and being a tollerable Astronomer and a very great Mechanic, for my amusement, I devote all the leasure hours from that of my plantation, in the Constructing of an Orrery, which I expect to effect in the course of the ensuing Winter, well knowing that the larger the Instrument the less will be the Vairation I shall make it with a four foot...