_A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with some observations
on the treatment which he has met with in the advancement of his
Theory._
John Cleves Symmes, the author of the Theory of Concentric Spheres, is
the son of Timothy Symmes, of the state of New-Jersey, whose father's
name was also Timothy, and who was the son of the Rev. Thomas Symmes,
of Bradford, who graduated at Harvard college, in 1698. Mr. Elliot,
publisher of the New-England Biographical Dictionary, at Boston, in the
year 1809, makes honourable mention of his name. Timothy Symmes, the
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, had but two sons; the one,
John Cleves Symmes, well known as the father and founder of the first
settlements in the Miami country; and the other, Timothy, the father of
our Theorist, and from whom the present family of Symmes, in the Miami
country, are descended.
Captain Symmes is now about forty-six years of age. He is of middle
stature, and tolerably proportioned; with scarcely any thing in his
exterior to characterize the secret operations of his mind, except an
abstraction, which, from attentive inspection, is found seated on a
slightly contracted brow; and the glances of a bright blue eye, that
often seems fixed on something beyond immediate surrounding objects.
His head is round, and his face rather small and oval. His voice is
somewhat nasal, and he speaks hesitatingly and with apparent labour.
His manners are plain, and remarkable for native simplicity. He is a
native of the state of New-Jersey. During the early part of his life,
he received, what was then considered, a common English education,
which in after life he improved by having access to tolerably well
selected libraries; and being endued, by nature, with an insatiable
desire for knowledge of all kinds, he thus had, during the greater part
of his life, ample opportunities to indulge it.
In the year 1802, and at the age of about twenty-two years, Mr. Symmes
entered the army of the United States, in the office of ensign; from
which he afterwards rose to that of captain. He continued in service
until after the close of the late war with Great-Britain. While
attached to the army he was universally esteemed a brave soldier,
and a zealous and faithful officer. He was in the memorable battle
of Bridgewater; and was senior Captain in the regiment to which he
belonged. The company under his immediate command, that day, discharged
seventy rounds of cartridges, and repelled three desperate charges of
the bayonet.
Afterwards, in the sortie from Fort Erie, Captain Symmes, with his
command, captured the enemy's battery number two; and with his own
hand spiked the cannon it contained: yet, owing to the want of correct
information, or from some other cause, the honour and the reward of
this achievement, were alike bestowed upon others. And, it is a fact
not less to be regretted, that the official report of the battle of
Bridgewater, has represented the regiment, to which Captain Symmes
was attached, as almost the only one that retreated at Lunday's lane;
when, in truth, it was nearly the only one which uniformly maintained
the positions it was _ordered_ to maintain, throughout the action.
Captain Symmes, has since, however, substantiated the correctness of
its conduct, by obtaining the necessary acknowledgments; some of the
particulars of which were communicated to the Historical Society of
New-York, and published, in the newspapers of the day. The truth
of this statement, has also been confirmed to me, by a respectable
Officer, who was in the action, and witnessed the occurrence.
During the period of about three years, immediately after the close of
the war, and after Captain Symmes had left the army, he was engaged in
the difficult and laborious task of furnishing supplies to the troops
stationed on the upper Mississippi. How he succeeded in this business I
am not informed; but, I conclude from his present circumstances, that
he could not have realized any very considerable pecuniary advantage
from the enterprise. Since that time he has resided at Newport,
Kentucky; devoting, almost exclusively, the whole of his time and
attention to the investigation and perfection of his favourite Theory
of Concentric Spheres.
In a short circular, dated at St. Louis, in 1818, Captain Symmes
first promulgated the fundamental principles of his theory to the
world. He addressed a copy to every learned institution, and to every
considerable town and village, as well as distinguished individuals, of
which he could gain any intelligence, throughout the United States, and
to several learned societies in Europe.
The reception this circular met with, was that of ridicule; it being
looked upon as the production of a distempered imagination, or the
ravings of partial insanity. Indeed, it became a fruitful source
of jest and levity, to publishers of the public prints of the day
generally, all over the Union. The Academy of Sciences in Paris, before
which it was laid by Count Volney, decided that it was unworthy of
their consideration; and the editor of the London Morning Chronicle,
could not be induced to credit the statements of respectable men, who
declared that Symmes was not a madman. But in this, his fate is not
peculiar. The experience of the world has taught us, that the authors
of new doctrines, have mostly shared a similar lot. An excellent
contemporary writer has remarked, that, "the fate of many projectors
have been so melancholy, that it requires, at this day, the daring
spirit, and the enthusiasm which are naturally allied to genius, in
any man to announce himself as the inventor of any thing new and
extraordinary. The patience and perseverance of a Galileo, and the
adventurous spirit of a Fulton, are necessary to him who would benefit
his species by the results of original plans and forms, or that of
new combinations of old and tried ones. Hence we cannot but respect
and admire the man, who, regardless of the hard fate of so many who
have trod before him, in the thorny path of improvement, still has the
fortitude and philosophy of mind to spend years in toil and study――to
labour by day with persevering industry――and trim the midnight lamp
with the vigilance ascribed to the ancient vestals, in bringing to
perfection an idea, from which he hopes to reap fame and benefit to
himself, and to reflect credit, at the same time, on the genius of his
country."
Captain Symmes published two other numbers at St. Louis, in the year
1818; the one went to prove, by geometrical principles, that matter
must necessarily form itself into concentric spheres, and the other
treated of geological principles. His two next numbers, marked four
and five, (the one treating of the original formation of the Allegheny
mountains, and the other claiming the discovery of open poles,) I have
never had an opportunity of seeing. His sixth number appeared, dated
at Cincinnati, in January, 1819, which contains a number of items and
principles that he proposes treating of in subsequent numbers. His
seventh number, entitled "_Arctic Memoir_," is dated at Cincinnati,
in February, 1819; and another number, entitled "_Light between the
Spheres_," dated at Cincinnati, in August, 1819, was published in the
National Intelligencer. From that time to the present, numerous pieces
from the pen of Captain Symmes have appeared in different newspapers;
but the most prominent and grand doctrines, on which his theory is
based, are contained in the papers above enumerated. Independent of
his written publications, he has delivered a number of lectures on the
theory,――first at Cincinnati, in 1820, and afterwards at Lexington and
Frankfort, in Kentucky, and at Hamilton and Zanesville, in the state
of Ohio. Several of these lectures I had the pleasure of hearing; and
the respectable number of auditors, and the profound stillness that
reigned, evinced in the strongest manner the interest felt by all
present in the subject. In addition to the various facts and phenomena,
to which he adverts in support of his positions, he delineates in his
lectures, upon a wooden sphere, constructed on the principles of his
theory, the cause of the winding meridians, the icy hoop or verge, and
the course which ought to be pursued to reach the interior regions,
with the confidence of mathematical certainty.
Captain Symmes's want of a classical education, and philosophic
attainments, perhaps, unfits him for the office of a lecturer. But,
his arguments being presented in confused array, and clothed in
homely phraseology, can furnish no objection to the soundness of his
doctrines. The imperfection of his style, and the inelegance of his
manner, may be deplored; but, certainly, constitute no proof of the
inadequacy of his reasoning, or the absurdity of his deductions.
There is scarcely a single individual, with whom I have conversed,
who does not confess that, if the facts which he adduces, and the
arguments he uses, were handled by an able orator, they would produce
a powerful effect. In short, those who attend to his lectures, without
regarding his peculiarities of style and manner; who reflect alone on
their substantial parts, without regarding the want of eloquence in
the lecturer; who presume to think for themselves, and are able to
comprehend the naked facts, and unadorned arguments, which he advances,
will not fail to discover in them many particulars well worthy of their
consideration; and many arguments calculated to stagger their faith in
pre-conceived opinions.
In the year 1822, Captain Symmes petitioned the Congress of the United
States, setting forth, in the first place, his belief of the existence
of a habitable and accessible concave to this globe; his desire to
embark on a voyage of discovery to one or other of the polar regions;
his belief in the great profit and honour his country would derive
from such discovery;――and prayed that Congress would equip and fit out
for the expedition, two vessels of two hundred and fifty, or three
hundred, tons burthen; and grant such other aid as government might
deem necessary to promote the object. This petition was presented in
the Senate by Col. Richard M. Johnston, a member from Kentucky, on the
7th day of March, 1822; when, (a motion to refer it to the committee of
Foreign Relations having failed,) after a few remarks it was laid on
the table.――_Ayes_, 25.
In December, 1823, he forwarded similar petitions to both houses of
Congress, which met with a similar fate.
In January, 1824, he petitioned the General Assembly of the state
of Ohio, praying that body to pass a resolution approbatory of his
theory; and to recommend him to Congress for an outfit suitable to
the enterprise. This memorial was presented by Micajah T. Williams;
and, on motion, the further consideration thereof was indefinitely
postponed.[48]
That Captain Symmes is a highminded, honorable man, is attested by all
who know him. He has devised a theory whereby to account for various
singular and interesting phenomena; and more satisfactorily to explain
a great variety of acknowledged facts.
He argues from the effect to the cause, in many of his positions, with
great perspicuity. And the circumstance that few of the learned have
yet attempted to show that his principles are founded in absurdity,
should at least entitle him to the respect, and his theory to the
attention, of every candid man. Notwithstanding he has been buffeted by
the ridicule and sarcasm of an opposing world for seven years, under
great pecuniary embarrassments; he still labours with unshaken faith,
and unbroken perseverance; with a willingness at any time to test the
truth of his speculations amid the icy mountains of the polar seas.
Already has he passed the meridian of life; and should he be called
from time, without establishing his theory by actual discovery; the
science he has embodied, and the facts he has collected and arranged
in support of it, together with his undeviating and indefatigable
industry, in the face of
"The world's dread laugh, which scarce
The firm philosopher can scorn,"
will bear a testimonial to his talents and worth, that the best of
his species will ever delight to acknowledge. And though he may not
have accounted for every particular, or brought forward every argument
that might possibly be advanced in support of his positions; he has,
nevertheless, collected a greater number of peculiarly interesting
facts, and embodied a stronger phalanx of proof, than could well have
been expected on a subject so new, and in the hands of the original
discoverer.
If, hereafter, it should be ascertained that Symmes's Theory of the
Earth is true, impartial posterity will not withhold the honour and
fame due to the name of the discoverer.
It is hoped, however, that the present age will not so far forfeit to
posterity the high character it now sustains in scientific discovery,
as to remain deaf to his solicitations; but, that the citizens of
our own country in particular, if not the whole world, will unite in
testing the truth of his principles; and in doing justice to the merits
of this extraordinary man.
FINIS.
FOOTNOTE:
[48] Journal of the House of Representatives of Ohio; session of 1823,
'24――p. 224.
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
Punctuation has been standardized.
Some alternate spellings have been retained.
Pg. iv: "faciliate" changed to "facilitate" (to facilitate its
progress).
Pg. 39: "obedidience" changed to "obedience" (in obedience to certain
fixed laws).
Pg. 41, 44, 70, 79: "spheriod" changed to "spheroid" (is strictly a
spheroid) (that of a regular spheroid) (the form of an oblate spheroid)
(a compact and solid spheroid) (the earth is a solid spheroid).
Pg. 57, 130: "occular" changed to "ocular" (positive ocular
demonstration) (admits of ocular demonstration).
Pg. 62: "sometimes" changed to "some times" (at some times seven or
eight belts).
Pg. 73: "appea" changed to "appear" (and appear again in great
numbers). Missing word "of" inserted (in the latter end of March).
Pg. 76: (footnote) "Herne's" changed to "Hearne's" (Hearne's Journal).
Pg. 83: (footnote) "Ross's" changed to "Ross'" (Ross' Voyage).
Pg. 99: "Praire" changed to "Prairie" (in the neighbourhood of the
Little Prairie).
Pg. 107: "maintainance" changed to "maintenance" (the maintenance and
support of organic life).
Pg. 109: "plumet" changed to "plummet" (between the plummet and the
centre of gravity).
Pg. 123: "Geogrophy" changed to "Geography" (to teach mankind Geology,
Geography, or Astronomy).
Pg. 134: "cotemporaries" changed to "contemporaries" (above his
contemporaries).
Pg. 151: "apparant" changed to "apparent" (beyond the apparent verge).
Pg. 159: "catridges" changed to "cartridges" (discharged seventy rounds
of cartridges).
Pg. 161: "Gallileo" changed to "Galileo" (patience and perseverance
of a Galileo). "cotemporary" changed to "contemporary" (contemporary
writer has remarked).
Pg. 166: "buffetted" changed to "buffeted" (has been buffeted by the
ridicule).
End of Project Gutenberg's Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres, by Anonymous