The Memorial of John Churchman Respectfully representeth

That he hath clearly demonstrated that the magnetic needle is attracted towards two points at certain distances one from the north the other from the South pole of the Earth, that he finds the northern magnetic point to be in and about the latitude of 76°4' north and at this time on a meridian which passes over Baffins Bay, performing a regular revolution round the North Pole of the Earth from West to East: he conceives that the variation of the Magnetic needle must proceed from a certain cause, and that several circumstances make it probable that the cause of the variation must revolve in the Heavens near the Earth, but if this should not be the case, it must revolve either on the surface of the Earth or below the same; he therefore prays that this matter may be considered as a point in Geography so far worthy the attention and patronage of the honourable President of the American Philosophical Society, as to ensure his influence, that his memorialist may be permitted and enabled to perform a voyage to that part of Baffins Bay towards which the needle is attracted, apprehending that he will have it in his power by these means to make sundry observations and experiments, which will finally determine the true cause of the variation, and as he apprehends pave the way to many useful discoveries.

The proposed voyage will be readily admitted to be practicable, when it shall be considered that Lord Mulgrave in the year 1773 under Royal patronage sailed nearly five degrees further north altho on another side of the Globe. This noble Lord has (and several other persons before his time have) encountered difficulties and dangers in trying whether or not Navigation were practicable to the North Pole of the Earth, when it was supposed that the needle was in some measure influenced by the pole of the Earth, yet it [does not?] appear that the boldest navigators have ever been able to arrive at the desired object. Whereas if the present proposed voyage should be patronized, it may probably (by an early embarkation) be easily performed in a few months; as it would not be much more than half the length of a voyage to the Island of Great Britain. And as his memorialist has thoughts of making application for assistance when the Federal Government should make a house, if the President of the American Philosophical Society could find Freedom to give his Sentiments by a line to any one of the members on this business, his memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray.