Historical letters

Letter by H C Russell, 4 June 1869

June 4, 2009

THIS IS THE FINAL LETTER IN A PROJECT COMMENCED ON 5 JUNE LAST YEAR (2008) TO MARK THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SYDNEY OBSERVATORY. Every day for a year, we have posted the image and transcription of a letter (sometimes more than one) written on (or near to) the day/month date of years from 1858 to 1903.

Letter by H A Lenehan, 3 June 1887

June 3, 2009

140/89 Sydney Observatory June 3rd 1889 Dear Sir The stove pipe in the Messenger’s quarters has fallen in and is beyond repairing – will you kindly give instructions for a new one to be placed in position, as apart from the smoke filling the room there is the danger of fire catching the building.

Letter by H C Russell, 2 June 1873

June 2, 2009

2 June My dear Sir .... information.... salary.... if I can provide you with Instruments. But ?? with ?? as there are I believe only two in the colony both at the Observatory and the load is heavy.

Letter by H C Russell, 1 June 1871

June 1, 2009

Sydney Observatory June 1st 1871 Sir All these items are actually required for the use of the Observatory. We have been put to great inconvenience by the reductions in the previous requisition and in some cases I have had to pay for articles out of my private purse.

Letter by H C Russell, 31 May 1871

May 31, 2009

405 Sydney Observatory May 31st 1871 Dear Sir I have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your Weather Tables. The leading principles may be clear enough to yourself but I have not yet been able to understand them, especially what is meant by Magnetism.

Letter by H C Russell, 30 May 1889

May 30, 2009

12 Sydney Observatory May 30 1889 L Kingsmill Esquire Dear Sir Your letter of May 29 with newspaper just received. And in reply I would advise you to take no notice whatever of what anyone may say either in the newspaper or out of it so long as you know that you do your duty: I have good reason for believing that your measures of the rainfall are quite correct because I have compared them with other carefully kept records and the mere fact that two gauges differ in a rainstorm is nothing to those who understand the matter.

Letter by H A Lenehan, 30 May 1887

May 30, 2009

130/87 Sydney Observatory May 30th 1887 E R Field Esquire Dear Sir I can arrange if you particularly desire it for your visit at five thirty pm to see Saturn, but the planet being low down in the western sky even at this time of the evening is not at all in a good position as they haze and sun through which it would have to be observed would consequently veil its beauty and the moon also getting well on towards full would interfere.

Letter by H C Russell, 29 May 1889

May 29, 2009

Observatory May 29th 1889 Dear Sir I herewith enclose reply to your letter of March 31st 1889. Mr Pottack who made the observations finds that a clerical error of hour was made on May 20 which accounts for the error in the first place.

Letter by G R Smalley, 28 May 1870

May 28, 2009

81-82 Royal Observatory May 28 1870 Sir In reference to the annual Vote of £12 for Meteorological Observations at country stations. I have the honor to request that I may be authorized to distribute this vote in such proportions as I may deem most expedient for the scientific welfare of the Colony.

Letter by H C Russell, 27 May 1874

May 27, 2009

744 Government Observatory 27th May 1874 Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 74-271.3?? together with two bills?? of ?? and a letter from the Agent General for New South Wales dated London March 20th 1870 in which the Agent General mentions the shipment of a lens??

Letter by H C Russell, 26 May 1871

May 26, 2009

403 Sydney Observatory 26 May 1871 Dear Sir The Sydney Observatory is in no way responsible for the altitudes of different places given to the Australian Almanac. Should you consider it necessary??

Letter by H C Russell, 25 May 1871

May 25, 2009

397 Sydney Observatory 25 May 1871 Sir I have the honor herewith to enclose Vouchers for the payment of £54-15-9 from the Vote for New Instruments 1871 – I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient servant H C Russell Govt Astronomer The Under Secretary for Finance & Trade

Letter by H C Russell, 24 May 1900

May 24, 2009

320 May 24 1900 The Pilot Koffs Harbour Dear Sir Mr. Sutherland Pilot of Moruya sent to me on May 21st a sheet of paper on which was written: Koffs Harbour 7.30am October 15 E. W. L. N - T. W. P.

Letter by H C Russell, 23 May 1871

May 23, 2009

395 Govt Observatory 23 May 1871 Sir I have the honor to request an advance of £6.2.4 from the Vote for Incidental Expenses 1871 for the enclosed vouchers. I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant H.

Letter by W Scott, 22 May 1860

May 22, 2009

Observatory Sydney May 22nd 1860 60/21 Sir I send you this day for Jenny Lind the barometer sent to Sydney for repairs. I enclose the instrument maker's account for which I must ask you to obtain the necessary sum from the government of Queensland.

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