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Letter to Editor
December 13, 1810
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Bishop Madison to Mr. Girardin, dated Williamsburg, November 27, 1810, describing a 3 lb meteoric stone from North Carolina with unique magnetic properties, comparing it to European and Connecticut stones, and opining that such stones originate from earthly volcanoes due to rotational velocities.
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Extract of a letter from Bishop Madison to Mr. Girardin of this city dated Williamsburg, 27th November, 1810.
"I have lately received the stone which fell in North Carolina, in January last, weighing 3 lbs. It resembles in appearance the meteoric stones of Europe, and those which fell in Connecticut in 1808, of which there is minute account in the last volume of the American Philosophical Transactions. But this stone has a peculiarity, which I have not seen noticed in any other of the kind. It not only acts and is acted upon by the Magnet; but is itself a real Magnet, having its distinct North and South Poles; and consequently all the other properties of the Magnet, though in a weak degree; a state in which the natural Magnet is often found; a strong additional presumption, thus afforded, that the stone is of terrestrial origin.
I sent Queries to North Carolina which have been answered by a gentleman of character, who heard the explosions: and it is surprising, how nearly several of the Phenomena coincide with those observed in Connecticut."
The Bishop's opinion is: that these meteoric stones have been projected from the Volcanoes of the earth—he coincides with Mr. Wood in the idea, that they fall so far from the volcanoes, on account of the same point of the earth moving with different velocities in a diurnal rotation.
"I have lately received the stone which fell in North Carolina, in January last, weighing 3 lbs. It resembles in appearance the meteoric stones of Europe, and those which fell in Connecticut in 1808, of which there is minute account in the last volume of the American Philosophical Transactions. But this stone has a peculiarity, which I have not seen noticed in any other of the kind. It not only acts and is acted upon by the Magnet; but is itself a real Magnet, having its distinct North and South Poles; and consequently all the other properties of the Magnet, though in a weak degree; a state in which the natural Magnet is often found; a strong additional presumption, thus afforded, that the stone is of terrestrial origin.
I sent Queries to North Carolina which have been answered by a gentleman of character, who heard the explosions: and it is surprising, how nearly several of the Phenomena coincide with those observed in Connecticut."
The Bishop's opinion is: that these meteoric stones have been projected from the Volcanoes of the earth—he coincides with Mr. Wood in the idea, that they fall so far from the volcanoes, on account of the same point of the earth moving with different velocities in a diurnal rotation.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Science Nature
What keywords are associated?
Meteoric Stone
Magnetic Properties
Terrestrial Origin
Volcanoes
North Carolina
Connecticut
Bishop Madison
What entities or persons were involved?
Bishop Madison
Mr. Girardin
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Bishop Madison
Recipient
Mr. Girardin
Main Argument
meteoric stones, including one from north carolina with magnetic properties, originate from earthly volcanoes and fall distant due to the earth's rotational velocities.
Notable Details
Stone Weighs 3 Lbs, Fell In North Carolina In January 1810
Resembles European And 1808 Connecticut Meteoric Stones
Unique Magnetic Properties With North And South Poles
Queries Answered By Eyewitness In North Carolina
Coincides With Connecticut Phenomena
Agrees With Mr. Wood On Volcanic Projection Theory