Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1845-07-17
ELIHU BURRIT.

A SorENrIFI: Mono. The Fa'i
more American hrs the following interest.
rns nccoun, Of scientific negro, who -four.
ishcd in the las, century:
The Inc, number OF the Maryland Colo.
niza,IonJou contains memoir ofB,nj ..
MN BannokeL free colored man { Anne
Arundel County, who was distinguished
for his mathematical u,iiinmen,s and the
worth aal excel'oncy Of his character. -
Bann rker died IN le40, and in the seventy
second year of his age. He was the au.
thor of an Almanac compiled on his own
astronomical calculations, with so lule as.
ss,ancc from book. Of science that he had
actually made considerable progress in
preparing iogari,hms, not kno wing OF
their previous inventions. ile was saved
much labor on this score, however, by Mr.
GEORGE Eilcolt, who furnished him with
S., OF logirlhmic tables For some years
Bnnncker's Almanac was the only one
used in this part Of the United States The
Memoir, which is drawn up in n very in.
tercsing manner, by J. II. b Latrobe, Esq
says, in refer nce 10 this work
The frs, Almanac which Bannekcr
prepared, f, for publication. was for the
wear 1872 BY this time his requirements
had become generally known, and among
others who look an interest m him was
james McHcnry, Esq. Mr. McHenry
wrote a letter 10 Goddard and Angel, then
the Almanac publishers lnBhlIimore, which
was probably The means Of procuring the
publication Of the first Almanac. II con.
tans a short account oil Bunncker, and is
inserted as the most appropriate preface
that could have been furnished for the work.
Mr.. hcHenrys letter does equal honor 10
his heart and underst ndlng A copy Of
the Almanac rs herewith presented 10 the
society, 10 The name of Mr. Enicou. the
widow Of George EIIicor, Banneker's
seadllS friend
Ia their editorial notice Me"rs Goddard
and Angel say, "Ihey feel gralIIicd IN the
opportunity OF presenting to the public, lhro'
their press, what most be considered as an
extraordinary ,doh Of gcnus-a complete
aud accurate Ephemnfls for the year 1875
Calculated by a sable descendant Of Africa"
etc. And they further say, that "aier fat
tering themselves that a phlan,hropic pub.
lie, 10 this enlightened era, will be induced
to give their patronage aud support TO this
work not only on account Of lis intrinsic
mems, CT having mt the appreciation Of
he mot Distinguished nt,ionomers Of A.
merira, particularly the celebrated Mr..
RcIhenhouse,) but from similar ,mo,lves to
those which induced the editors 20 give this
calculation the preference, the ardent desire
Of drawing modos meras from obs,nu,y,
ani orxoverlIng The Ioog established ll.lto.
r4l pr Mics agqns, The blacks y
Ban, 9 er srn, cory Of his A !mansc, Va
mAnnscuA,, 10 Mr. Jefferson, who sckaowl |.
81 ved ~ Inception IN polite and verv com
phnenurt l,lcr Sir Jefferson eaecmtd
he work o remarkable that he scot II 10
NJ De otdoreet Secretary TO the Acade,
my IL Sclince at PARIS
When dhe Commissioners Tor laying loot
he Fsjorsl Territory, known as the DIS
jrIel Of CoiDSnbls, were employed 10 that
xork, they ravued Banneker To be present,
sni treated hR with greh; consideration a.
man Of seieaes Ills lIie was indus, roo,
sAs quiet bis msusers simple, We, d,gsi
ed A genllemsa who knew him, say,
He was brave looking, pleasant msu
with s9me,h'ng very !nobse 10 hn sppsar
snee. tia miDd wss sv'denily much alb
Iofeod IN be eslcuis',oo.; be- bt r.s 81