Benjamin Franklin Papers - Andrew Ellicot to Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council (unpublished)

Having been concerned in running all the Astronomical Boundaries of the Commonwealth, and possessed of all the Observations, (which are very numerous) used in determining the different limits of the State. In my opinion now the business is compleated, it will be necessary to have some record, or rather a publication of the Observations, together with the methods that were pursued on that occasion; not only for the satisfaction of the parties concerned, but also for the advantages which the science of Astronomy may derive from such a publication. I shall be happy in having a conference with any Gentlemen of your Body on this subject, and have no doubt but it may be made advantageous both to the State and to your Humble Servant,

p.s. I will undertake arranging the Astronomical Observations by which the boundaries of the State were determined, and also add such Observations as we made on the Soil and Natural History of the Country thro’ which we passed, for the Sum of £150, hard Money, or the value thereof in Paper, one half of the money to be advanced, and the other half to be paid when the work is finished—the work to be the property of the State, and ready for publication on or before the first day of June next.