Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-06-20

cured the release of 10 captives, Danes and Nea-
politans He arrived at home November IL, was
subsequently appointed one ofthe Board of Navy
Commissioners, and was residing in Washington,
in tha: capacity, when he was killed in duel with
Commodore Barron, March %, 1920, occasioned
by his admadversions of the conduct Of the latter
Courage, sagacity, energy, selt-possession, and
high sense Of honor, were the characteristic traits
o Decarur from his boyhood, he was remarkable
or the qualities, which presage eminence in naval
warfare. He eninvel the sea as his element. He
possessed an active muscular frame, quick and
penetrating eye, and bold adventurous, and am
bilious spirit.
DAVID RITTENHousE, distinguished astronomer,
was born near Germantown, April 8, 1882, Du-
ring his early years he was employed on his faith
ers farm; yet even there his peculiar genius man.
ifested itself. His younger brother used te say,
tnat when David was employed in the fields, he
repeatedly observed the fences, and even tho plough
with which he had been working, marked over
with mathematical figures.
The construction of wooden clock exhibited
the first evidence Of his mechanical talents. He
was then but II years of age, and had never re-
ceived any instruction, either in mathematics, OF
mechanics. The delicacy of his constitution and
the irresistible bent of his genius, soon after ndu-
ced his parents, TO allow Of his giving up husband
ry, and to procure for him the tools of clock and
mathematical instrument maker. From the age of
IS to 25, he applied himself with great assiduity,
both 10 his trade and of his studies Engaged
throughout the day in the former, it was only the
time commonly assigned 10 rest, or to use his own
expression has Idle hours. that he could devote to
the latter. Yet with so little time at his command,
with but two or three books, and without the least
instruction he acquired so considerable knowl-
edge of the mathematical sciences. to be able to
read the PrInClpla OF Newton 1t is even asserted
that he discovered the method of tiuxions and that
he did not know, unfii some years afterwards, that
Newton and ieIbni;Z had contested the honor OF
an invention OF which he deemed himself tie au-
thor. II was during taiS double employment Of
lis time, in laoor and in study, that Mr.. Ritten-
house planned aui executed an instrument In
which his mathematical knowledge and his me-
chancai skill were equally required. This instIu-
ment was the Orrery. Machines, intended to give
to the student of Astronomy a general conception
of the relative notions of the heavenly bodies, had
been constructed before; but the object Mr.. r
was to cons'ruct positions Of the planets, and their
satellites at any given period of the world, past
present or future. 1t was in fact, to make kind
of perpetual astronomical almanac, in which the
results lustead OF being given in tables, were to
be actually exhibited to the eve, In this attempt
! he succeeded, Two of these orreries were made
| by his own handsome belongs to the University
OF Pennsy ylvana the other to the college Of Prince
! ton. in 90 Mr.. r. was named one of the COM
ml:tee appointed by the American Philosophical
! Society to observe the transit of Venus, over the
Suns disk, which happened June Sd of that year.
| 4 mrorary observatory was built for the pur-
pose near his residence. In silence and trembling
anxiety Mr.. r. & his friends waited for the pledc-
ted moment of observation it came, and brought
with IT, oil that had been wished for and expected
by those who saw it. In one philosopher it excl
ted In the instant of the contacts of the planet with
( the sun, an emotion of delight so exquisite and
powerful as TO induce fanting The reputation
which Mr.. Rittenhouse had now'so Justly acquired
! as an astronomer, attracted the attention of the
government, and he was employed in several geo.
desic operations, of great public Importance.
In 70 he was appointed by the Legislature of
! nnsylvania, one Of the Commissioners for ad-
usting territorial dispute between that State and
| Virginia, and the success Of this commission is
ascribed, in great degree, TO his skill and pru-
dence. In 80 he was employed in fixing the Nor
! thern line, which divides Pennsylvania from New
York. In 90 he ws employed in settling the linn
! its between New York and New Jersey and in
81 ne was CdH6u upOH 10 assist ia liAHS the OOuEl-
dary line between the States of Massachusetts, and
| New York He was elected member of the
American Academy of arts and sciences at Bos-
ton in 's2 and of the Royal Society of London in
| '95. In '9l he was chosen TO successor Of DIR.
Franklin in the presidency Of the American Phi
losophical Society. All his philosophical commu-
nicatons were made through the medium of the
Transactions of this Society" aed the list of his
papers in the three first volumes, shows his zeal
for science and the fertility of his genius.
In II Mr.. Riitenhouse was appointed Treasurer
Of Pennsylvania, in which Office he continued un-
! til SO In 97 he was appointed by the President,
Director of the U. S. Mint. His mechanical skill
rendered him highly useful officer In '95 he
was obliged to resign in consequence OF the state
of his health His constitution naturally feeble,
had been rendered still more so, by Sedentary la
Dor and midnight studies, and on the 25th OF June,
'95, he died. His last illness was short and pain
ful. but his patience and benevolecce did not for
sake him. Upon being told that some OF his
friends had called at hls door te inquire how he
was, he asked why they were not invited into his
chamber. ''Eecause" said his wife ''you are too
weak to speak to them. "Yes" said he !" that is
4.,,o e,il1 oould hava pressed fhair barda -