Details
BUCHANAN, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") as President, to Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867), Washington, 29 December 1859. 1 page, 4to, very minor dampstain in lower left-hand portion.
Buchanan requests the assistance of a distinguished scientist in preparation for an address. "I would thank you to furnish me an estimate of the number of miles of our [the nation's] coast along the Atlantic, Pacific & Lakes. Of course I do not expect accuracy, because I know you can only approximate it. I desire, however, to use the estimate in a message & it would be well to make it as accurate as possible...."
Bache (1806-1867), a great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and superintendent of the U.S. Coast Survey since 1843, charged with the detailed mapping of the nation's coastline. Since July, Buchanan had let it be known that he did not intend to run for a second term as president.
Buchanan requests the assistance of a distinguished scientist in preparation for an address. "I would thank you to furnish me an estimate of the number of miles of our [the nation's] coast along the Atlantic, Pacific & Lakes. Of course I do not expect accuracy, because I know you can only approximate it. I desire, however, to use the estimate in a message & it would be well to make it as accurate as possible...."
Bache (1806-1867), a great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and superintendent of the U.S. Coast Survey since 1843, charged with the detailed mapping of the nation's coastline. Since July, Buchanan had let it be known that he did not intend to run for a second term as president.