| RefNo | MM/23/13 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from H [Henry] Baker, London, to the Reverend Cornelius Nozeman, Minister to the Remonstrants, in Harlem |
| Creator | Baker; Henry (1698-1774); British natural philosopher and teacher of deaf people |
| Recipient | Nozeman; Cornelius (1720-1786); Dutch Remonstrant and naturalist |
| Date | 15 September 1756 |
| Description | His long delay in replying to Nozeman's letter of 21 July was because of his uneasiness in not being able to answer satisfactorily. Dr. [John] Bond's machine for striking whales is in the Royal Society's Museum, but it was not given as a present; after being on public view, Bond locked it in a box until it should be sent for. He is little known in London, and Baker cannot find a means of directing a letter to him, to request sight of the device. He would not venture to ask a smith to open the box without Bond's permission. Baker recalls that the machine was a type of crossbow, discharging a harping iron, which the gentlemen did not think extraordinary. Baker wishes he could send a drawing of it, but cannot. The Royal Society will not meet again until November, and most members are in the country, so there is little hope of doing anything until then. He gives thanks to Nozemen for translating his description of fossils into Dutch, and he is obliged that there is an appetite for more of his work in translation. In a postscript, he gives his address and apologises for being unable to send the letter by private hand. |
| Extent | 2p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| Provenance | Purchased, May 2025 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7577 | Baker; Henry Frederick (1866 - 1956); mathematician | 1866 - 1956 |