Letter from James Melville Gilliss, Washington, D. C. to Edward Sabine Updates on his work at the [United States Naval Observatory]. Reference to [Alexander Dallas] Bache. Refers to magnetic experiments, investigations, and instruments. Informs Sabine of Mr [Matthew Fontaine] Maury’s resignation from the [US] Navy, and describes his ‘desertion’ from the [United States Naval Observatory] on Saturday, leaving a letter of resignation, giving no ‘inclination’ throughout the day of his intentions, and accepting service ‘under the rebels’ [reference to the Confederate States of America]. Gilliss describes Maury’s actions as ‘sad conduct for a man of science’. 20 June [c.1860]