Letter, from Thomas Maclear to Sir John Herschel, dated at Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope Autograph letter signed by sender. Hears that John Frederick William Herschel is using his influence to obtain a transit circle for the Cape. Hopes the application will be successful. Comments on the siting of the instruments. Cape politics are deplorable. Kaffir war still continues and appears likely to be expensive. 29 September 1851