Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Writes regarding his wife suffering from an attack of insanity, responding to Delahoyde and Lucett's advertisement. Wife has been hospitalized at St. Luke's and with Dr. Burrows previously. Describes his current financial situation and will sacrifice as much as he can to find her a cure.

Writing from the "Medical Institution." Describes a New Haven physician and an influenza striking students. Comments on medical lectures, professors, and students.

Request for Holland gin for medicinal purposes.

Has received Robinson’s drawing of the inclined wheel and will send it to the Patent Office. Liberty of U.S. encourages inventiveness. Comments on the policies of surveying Indian lands.

Providing updates about travel and business, including Mr. Wood making improvements to their marine chronometer, collaborating with Doctor Abbott despite potential controversy, and the chronometer being tested at sea. States that Abbott’s theory, likely his magnetic theory of calculating latitude and longitude, isn’t thought to be original or accurate, and that "it is thought that the Doct. Has taken to high a pitch to cord even with John Bulls highest note." "I have the satisfaction to find that we have put a machine in motion that has excited the attention & inquiry of the scientific men in this country and which is acknowledged to be the great desideratum which has been so long sought for & which will be of immense utility for mankind." Discusses conferences with one of Abbott’s advocates, Mr. Bolton of Liverpool. Mr. Wood refuses to work with Abbott.

Travelled to New Haven by stage and steamboat. Settling in at the Medical College, noting boarding with medical students. Attended an amputation.

Technical discussion of the merits of a cannon designed by Townsend, possible alterations, and a disagreement about types of weapons requested.

Regarding Jedidiah Morse's struggle with the church over his geographical publications. Recommends that the church replace him with a new minister. Thoughts on how to frame his dismissal and plans for re-entering the ministry.

Regarding a plate electrical machine for instructional purposes. Notes cost, the difficulty of obtaining large plates of glass, and compares it to moveable plate batteries.

Is hurried "preparing for Electricity," likely a college course, but encloses money to pay for a deflagrator. Discusses finances for an experimental apparatus and the timeline for its completion. Rejects Silliman's offer to relinquish his commission, due to Mrs. Hare's pride.