Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-12

A SCIENTIFIC NEGRo.-The Baltimore American In, the
following interesting account Of scientific negro who
hourshod in the last century 4:
The last number of the MARYLAND Jop,p,I
contains memoir OF Benjamin Bannek.r n free cooted
man OF Anne Arundel County, who distinguished for
MS mathematical aiainmcns and the worth and excel.
ence OF his character. Bannek-r died IN 1904 in the
'2nd year OF his age He the author of Almanac
complied on his own astronomical calculations, and with
50 little assistance from books Of science that he had &C.
tay made considerable progress in preparing
not knowing ol their previous Invention He was snyed
much labor on this score, however, by Mr. George Eli.
cot who furnished him with OF ogari,hmic tables
For some years Banneker's Almanac was the only one
used in this part Of the United States The Memoir
which is drawn up in n very interesting manner, by j.
II. b. Larobe, ESQ. says, in reference this work
The Inst Almanac which Bannekcr prepared, fit for
publication. was for the year 1892 BY this time his ac
gu rements had become generally known and among 9TH
ers who took an interest in him James McHeny ESQ.,
Mr. McHenry wrote letter 10 Goddard and Ange then
the Almanac publishers in Baltimore which was probably
the means Of procuring the publication OF the first Alma
nae IL contains short account OF Banneker aud in.
serted as the most appropriate preface that could have
furnished for the work. Mr. McHenrys letter docs equal
honor To his heart and undo rsanding copy Of the AL
manac is presented herewith the Socicy the name Of
steadfast friend.'
In their edt'risl notice, Messrs Goddard & ANGEL say
they tel graihed Ill the opportunity of to the
public, through their press what be a. an
extraordinary eliot OF genius complete and accurate
Ephcm, tor the yearl792 calculated by sable
AIT OF Africa, etc And they further say that they Hat
public, this
cd ora will be induced To give their patronage aud support
to this work, not emily OF Intrinsic merit.
W having met the appreciation Of several OF the dis
ungulshed astronomers OF America particularly the cee-
DRAFTED Mr. Rittenhousr) but from similar motives TO thoso
which induce the editors give this calculation the pre-
ference The ardea' desire Of drawing modest from
obseuriy anu conove ting the long established ilhbeal
prtJudices against the blacks"
banneker sent copy of hrs Almanac, in manuscript
TO Mr. Jefferson who acknowledge its reception in no
ne and very complimentary letter. Mr. Jefferson o. tenn
IL ma ali tl, h..
doeet Secretary o. the Academy OF Sciences at Paris
When the Commissioners for laying the Federal Ter
ntory, known as the District Of Coumba were employed
IN that work, they invited Banneker be present. and
ueaei Inn with great consideration of science
Ills lite industrious end quiet his manners simple
yet dignihed. gentleman who knew him, says .He
was braveooking, pleasant man, with something very
noble IN his appearance. His mind evidently much
absorbed III his calculations but he always glad 10 re-
ceive the visits which we often paid him." The me.
NOR confirms many Interesting from Bannekes
diary. lie was in oil respects, extraordinary man. and
Mr. Lat ODE las rendered acceptable service in rescue
ing his name from oblivion.