Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals - Maria Mitchell
"On the first day of October last, at about half-past ten o'clock in the
evening, a telescopic comet was discovered, in the island of Nantucket,
by Miss Maria Mitchell, daughter of Hon. W. Mitchell, one of the
executive council of this State. Mr. Mitchell made an entry of the
discovery at the time in his journal. In consequence of Miss Mitchell's
diffidence, she would not allow any publicity to be given to her
discovery till its reality was ascertained. Her father, however, by the
first mail that left Nantucket for the mainland, addressed a letter to
Mr. W.C. Bond, director of the observatory in this place, acquainting
him with his daughter's discovery. A copy of this letter I herewith
transmit to you. The comet was not discovered in Europe till the 3d of
October, when it was seen by Father de Vico, the celebrated astronomer
at Rome.
"You perceive from this statement that, if Mr. Mitchell had addressed
his letter to the Danish minister at Washington instead of Mr. Bond, his
daughter would have been entitled to the medal, under the strict terms
of the regulations. But these regulations have not been generally
understood in this country; and as the fact of Miss Mitchell's prior
discovery is undoubted, and recognized throughout Europe, it would be a
pity that she should lose the medal on a mere technical punctilio. The
comet is constantly called 'Miss Mitchell's comet' in the monthly
journal of the Royal Astronomical Society at London, and in the
'Astronomische Nachrichten,' the well-known astronomical journal, edited
by Mr. Schumacher himself, at Altona. Father de Vico (who, with his
brothers of the Society of Jesuits, has left Rome since the revolution
there) was at this place (Cambridge) three days ago, and spoke of Miss
Mitchell's priority as an undoubted fact.
"Last winter I addressed a letter to Mr. Schumacher, acquainting him
with the foregoing facts relative to the discovery, and transmitting to
him the _original_ letter of Mr. Mitchell to Mr. Bond, dated 3d October,
bearing the original Nantucket postmark of the 4th. I also wrote to
Capt. W. H. Smyth, late president of the Royal Astronomical Society of
England, desiring him to speak to Mr. Airy on the subject. He did so,
and Mr. Airy wrote immediately to Mr. Schumacher. Mr. Schumacher in his
reply expressed the opinion, in which Mr. Airy concurs, that _under the
regulations_ it is not in their power to award the medal to Miss
Mitchell. They suggest, however, that an application should be made,
through the American legation at the Danish court, to His Majesty the
King of Denmark, for authority, under the present circumstances, to
dispense with the literal fulfilment of the conditions.
"It is on this subject that I take the liberty to ask your good offices.
I accompany my letter with copies of a portion of the correspondence
which has been had on the subject, and I venture to request you to
address a note to the proper department of the Danish government, to the
end that authority should be given to Messrs. Schumacher and Airy to
award the medal to Miss Mitchell, _provided they are satisfied that she
first discovered the comet_.
"I will only add that, should you succeed in effecting this object, you
will render a very acceptable service to all the friends of science in
America.
"I remain, dear sir, with high consideration, your obedient, faithful
servant,
[Signed] "EDWARD EVERETT.
"To R. P. FLENIKEN, ESQ., Charge d'Affaires of the United States of
America at Copenhagen."
* * * * *
R.P. FLENIKEN, ESQ., TO THE COUNT DE KNUTH.
"Legation des Etats Unis d'Amerique,}
a Copenhague, le 6 Septembre, 1848. }
"MONSIEUR LE MINISTRE: J'ai l'honneur de remettre sous ce pli a votre
Excellence une lettre que j'ai recue d'un de mes concitoyens les plus
distingues, avec une correspondance touchant une matiere a laquelle il
me semble que le Danemark ne soit guere moins interesse que ne le sont
les Etats Unis; le premier y ayant contribue le digne motif, l'autre en
ayant heureusement accompli l'objet.
"Je recommande ces documents a l'examination attentive de votre
Excellence, sachant bien l'interet profond qu'elle ne manque jamais de
prendre a de tels sujets, et la reputation eminente de cultivateur des
sciences et de la litterature, dont elle jouit avec tant de justice. J'y
ai joint une lettre de moi-meme, adressee a sa Majeste le Roi de
Danemark.
"La matiere dont il est question, Monsieur, sera d'autant plus
interessante a votre Excellence, qu'on peut la regarder comme une voix
de reponse adressee a l'ancienne Scandinavie, proclaimant les prodiges
merveilleux de la science moderne, des bords memes du Vinland des
Vikinger hardis et entreprenants du dixieme et de l'onzieme siecles.
"Je prie votre Excellence de vouloir bien soumettre tous les documents
ci-joints a l'oeil de sa Majeste, et dans le cas heureux ou vous seriez
d'avis que ma compatriote, Mlle. Mitchell, puisse avec justice
revendiquer la recompense genereuse instituee par le Roi Frederic VI.,
alors, Monsieur, je prie votre Excellence de vouloir bien appuyer de ses
propres estimables et puissantes recommandations l'application des amis
de la jeune demoiselle.
"Je m'empresse a cette occasion, Monsieur, de renouveler a votre
Excellence l'assurance de ma consideration tres distinguee.
"R.P. FLENIKEN.
"A Son Excellence M. LE COMTE DE KNUTH, Ministre d'Etat, et Chef du
Departement des Affaires Etrangeres.
TRANSLATION. [Footnote: This and the other translations of the French
letters are printed as received in this country.]
"Legation of the United States of America,}
City of Copenhagen, September 6th, 1848. }
"Sir: I have the honor to communicate to you a letter from a
distinguished citizen of my own country, together with a correspondence
relating to a subject in which Denmark and the United States appear
somewhat equally interested, the former in furnishing a laudable motive,
and the latter as happily achieving the object.
"I commend these papers to your careful examination, being well aware of
the deep interest you take in all such subjects, and of the eminent
reputation you so justly enjoy as a gentleman of science and of
literature. They are accompanied by a letter from myself addressed to
His Majesty the King of Denmark.
"This subject will not be the less interesting to you, sir, as it would
appear to be a returning voice addressed to ancient Scandinavia,
speaking of the wonderful achievements of modern science, from the
'Vinland' of the hardy and enterprising 'Northmen' of the tenth and the
eleventh centuries.
"I beg, therefore, that you will obligingly lay them all before His
Majesty, and should they happily impress you that my countrywoman, Miss
Mitchell, is fairly entitled to the generous offering of King Frederic
VI., be pleased, sir, to accompany the application of her friends in her
behalf by your own very valuable and potent recommendation.
"I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your Excellency the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
[Signed]. "R.P. FLENIKEN.
"To His Excellency THE COUNT DE KNUTH, Minister of State and Chief of
the Department of Foreign Affairs.
* * * * *
R. P. FLENIKEN, ESQ., TO THE KING OF DENMARK.
"Legation des Etats Unis d'Amerique,}
a Copenhague, le 6 Septembre, 1848. }
"SIRE: Le soussigne a l'honneur, par l'intermediaire de M. votre
ministre d'etat et chef du departement des affaires etrangeres, de
soumettre a votre Majeste une lettre d'un citoyen tres distingue des
Etats Unis, accompagnee de la copie d'une correspondance concernant une
matiere a laquelle votre Majeste, souverain egalement distingue par la
liberalite genereuse qu'elle fait voir dans ses rapports sociaux et
politiques, et par l'admiration ardente qu'elle manifeste envers la
science et la litterature, ne peut manquer de prendre un vif interet.
"Le soussigne se felicite beaucoup d'etre l'intermediaire par les mains
duquel ces documents arrivent sous l'oeil de votre Majeste, etant
persuade que la lecture en fournira a votre Majeste l'occasion de
recourir avec une grande satisfaction patriotique, comme protecteur
eminent des sciences, a l'institution d'un de ses illustres
predecesseurs; et ce souvenir de la haute position a laquelle le
Danemark s'est eleve dans les arts et les sciences, ne lui sera
peut-etre pas moins doux quand elle songe que c'est justement sur cette
meme cote, ou deja au dixieme siecle l'intrepidite et l'esprit hardi de
ses ancetres Scandinaves les avaient amenes a la decouverte du grand
continent occidental et a la fondation d'une colonie, que vient de
s'accomplir cette conquete de la science, dont parlent les dits papiers.
"Le soussigne ose donc esperer, qu'a la suite d'une examination
attentive des lettres ci-jointes, et desquelles il paraitrait etre
generalement reconnu qu'a Mlle. Mitchell des Etats Unis est du l'honneur
d'avoir la premiere decouvert la comete telescopique qui aujourd'hui
porte son nom, que votre Majeste ne trouvera point dans la reserve
louable qui empecha cette jeune demoiselle de se precipiter a la
poursuite d'une renommee publique, une cause suffisante de lui refuser
le prix de sa brilliante decouverte; mais qu'au contraire elle donnera
l'ordre de lui expedier la medaille, autant comme une recompense due a
ses eminents talents scientifiques, que pour temoigner combien votre
Majeste sait apprecier cette modestie charmante qui s'opposa a ce que
Mlle. Mitchell recherchat une celebrite publique et scientifique, avec
le seul but de remplir une forme tout-a-fait technique.
"Le soussigne, charge d'affaires des Etats Unis de l'Amerique, saisit
avec empressement cette occasion d'offrir a votre Majeste l'expression
de sa consideration la plus haute et la plus distinguee.
"R.P. FLENIKEN.
"A Sa Majeste FREDERIC VII., Roi de Danemark, Duc de Slesvig et de
Holstein."
* * * * *
TRANSLATION.
"Legation of the United States of America,}
City of Copenhagen, September 4th, 1848. }
"SIRE: The undersigned has the honor, through your Majesty's minister of
state and chief of the department of foreign affairs, to communicate to
you a letter from a very distinguished citizen of the United States,
together with copies of a correspondence relating to a subject in which
your Majesty, alike distinguished for generous liberality in social and
political affairs as a sovereign, as well as an ardent admirer of
science and of literature, will doubtless feel a lively interest.
"The undersigned is happy to be the medium through which those papers
reach the eye of your Majesty, feeling sensible that their perusal will
furnish occasion to your Majesty to recur with much national pleasure to
the act of one of your illustrious predecessors as a distinguished
patron of science; and this recurrence to the eminent position that
Denmark has attained in the arts and the sciences may perhaps not be the
less pleasurable from the fact that the trophy of science to which the
papers allude was achieved on the very coast where, as far back as the
tenth century, the intrepidity and enterprise of your Majesty's
Scandinavian ancestors first discovered and planted a colony upon the
great western continent.
"The undersigned therefore hopes that, after a careful examination of
the accompanying papers, from which it would seem to be admitted that
Miss Mitchell, of the United States, is entitled to the honor of first
discovering the telescopic comet bearing her name, your Majesty will not
be able to perceive in that commendable delicacy which forbade her
hastily seeking public notoriety a sufficient motive for withholding
from her the reward of her eminent discovery; but, on the contrary, will
direct the medal to be awarded to her, not only as a suitable
encouragement to her distinguished scientific attainments, but also as
evincing your Majesty's appreciation of that beautiful virtue which
withheld her from rushing into public and scientific renown merely to
comply with a purely technical condition.
"The undersigned, American charge d'affaires, gladly improves this very
pleasant occasion to tender to your Majesty the expression of his high
and most distinguished consideration.
[Signed] "R. P. FLENIKEN.
"To his Majesty FREDERIC VII., King of Denmark, Duke of Schleswig and
Holstein."
* * * * *
THE COUNT DE KNUTH TO MR. FLENIKEN.
"Copenhague, ce 6 Octobre, 1848.
"MONSIEUR: J'ai eu l'honneur de recevoir votre office du 6 du passe, par
lequel vous avez exprime le desir que la medaille instituee par feu le
Roi Frederic VI., en recompense de la decouverte de cometes
telescopiques, fut accordee a Mlle. Maria Mitchell, de Nantucket dans
les Etats Unis d'Amerique.
"Apres avoir examine les pieces justificatives que vous avez bien voulu
me communiquer relativement a cette reclamation, je ne saurais que
partager votre avis, Monsieur, qu'il parait hors de doute que la
decouverte de la comete en question est effectivement due aux savantes
recherches de Mlle. Mitchell; et que ce n'est que faute de n'avoir pas
observe les formalites prescrites, qu'elle n'a point jusqu'ici recu une
marque de distinction a laquelle elle parait avoir de si justes titres.
"Le savant astronome, le Professeur Schumacher, ayant egalement
recommande Mlle. Mitchell a la faveur qu'elle sollicite maintenant, je
me suis empresse de referer cette question au roi, mon auguste maitre,
en mettant en meme temps sous les yeux de sa Majeste la lettre que vous
lui avez adressee a ce sujet; et c'est avec bien du plaisir que je me
vois aujourd'hui a meme de vous faire part, Monsieur, que sa Majeste n'a
point hesite a satisfaire a votre demande, en accordant a Mlle. Mitchell
la medaille qu'elle ambitionne.
"Aussitot que cette medaille sera frappee, je m'empresserai de vous la
faire parvenir.
"En attendant je saisis avec bien du plaisir cette occasion pour vous
renouveler, Monsieur, les assurances de ma consideration tres
distinguee.
"F.W. KNUTH.
"A MONSIEUR FLENIKEN, Charge d'Affaires des Etats Unis d'Amerique."
* * * * *
TRANSLATION.
"Copenhagen, 6th October, 1848.
"SIR: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 6th
ultimo, in which you express the desire that the medal instituted by his
late Majesty, Frederic VI., as a reward for the discovery of telescopic
comets, should be granted to Miss Maria Mitchell, of Nantucket, in the
United States of America.
"On examination of the justificatory pieces which you have been good
enough to forward me, relating to her claim, I cannot do otherwise than
participate in your opinion, sir, that it would appear to admit of no
doubt that the discovery of the comet in question was really due to Miss
Mitchell's learned researches; and that her not having as yet received a
mark of distinction to which she seems to have such a just claim was
entirely owing to her not having observed the prescribed forms.
"The learned astronomer, Professor Schumacher, having likewise
recommended Miss Mitchell to the favor which she now solicits, I hasten
to refer this question to the king, my august master, at the same time
laying before His Majesty the letter which you have addressed to him on
this subject; and I have much pleasure in being now enabled to inform
you, sir, that His Majesty has not hesitated to grant your request by
awarding to Miss Mitchell the medal which she desires.
"As soon as this medal is struck, I will have it forwarded to you, and
meanwhile have much pleasure in availing myself of this occasion to
renew to you, sir, the assurances of my most distinguished
consideration.
[Signed] "F.W. KNUTH.
"To MR. FLENIKEN, Charge d'Affaires of the United States of America."
* * * * *
MR. FLENIKEN TO THE COUNT DE KNUTH.
"Legation des Etats Unis d'Amerique, a Copenhague, le 7 Octobre, 1848.
"MONSIEUR: Le soussigne a eu l'honneur de recevoir l'office que votre
Excellence lui a addresse en date d'hier pour lui faire part de la
nouvelle heureuse que sa Majeste, apres avoir examine les documents que
vous avez bien voulu lui soumettre, ayant pour objet d'etablir le fait
que Mlle. Mitchell ait la premiere decouvert la comete telescopique
d'Octobre de l'an dernier, a bien voulu trouver ces preuves suffisantes,
et a ordonne qu'on frappe une medaille, afin de la lui faire presenter
comme une marque de distinction que sa Majeste croit qu'elle merite en
effet, quoiqu'elle n'ait pas rigoureusement observe les formalites
prescrites par le Roi Frederic VI., fondateur de ce don.
"Le soussigne s'empresse donc d'assurer votre Excellence et en meme
temps de vous prier, Monsieur, de vouloir bien faire parvenir cette
assurance a sa Majeste, que cet acte signale de liberalite ne peut
manquer d'etre dignement et hautement apprecie par les institutions
scientifiques des Etats Unis, par Mlle. Mitchell qui est l'objet de
cette distinction genereuse, et par les nombreux amis scientifiques de
cette dame; enfin, par tous ceux qui prennent de l'interet a la reussite
heureuse des recherches astronomiques.
"Le soussigne ne peut terminer cette communication sans exprimer a votre
Excellence (en la priant de porter aussi ses sentiments a la
connaissance de sa Majeste) sa vive appreciation de ce noble et eclatant
acte de justice, si promptement et si genereusement rendu a sa jeune
compatriote par le roi de Danemark, et il saisit avec empressement cette
occasion de renouveler a votre Excellence les assurances de sa
consideration tres distinguee.
"R.P. FLENIKEN.
"A Son Excellence M. LE COMTE DE KNUTH, Ministre d'Etat et Chef du
Departement des Affaires Etrangeres."
* * * * *
TRANSLATION.
"Legation of the United States,}
Copenhagen, October 7th, 1848. }
"SIR: The undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Excellency's communication of yesterday's date, conveying to him the
gratifying intelligence that His Majesty, from an examination of the
evidence which you obligingly laid before him, tending to establish the
fact of Miss Mitchell's having discovered the telescopic comet of
October, last, has been pleased to consider it quite satisfactory, and
has ordered a medal to be struck for her as a mark of distinction to
which his Majesty deems her entitled, notwithstanding her omission to
comply with the prescribed conditions of Frederic VI., who instituted
the donation.
"The undersigned, therefore, begs to express to you, sir, and through
you to His Majesty, the assurance that this eminent act of liberality
cannot fail to be duly and highly appreciated by the scientific
institutions of his own country, by Miss Mitchell herself, who is the
object of this generous distinction, and by her numerous scientific
friends, as well as by all who feel an interest in successful
astronomical achievements.
"The undersigned cannot close this communication without expressing to
you and to the king his own unaffected appreciation of this noble and
distinguished act of justice, so promptly and so generously bestowed
upon his unobtrusive countrywoman by the king of Denmark, and avails
himself of the occasion to renew to your Excellency the assurance of his
most distinguished consideration.
[Signed] "R.P. FLENIKEN.
"To His Excellency THE COUNT DE KNUTH, Minister of State, etc., etc.,
etc."