| Abstract: | The Robert Patterson Collection contains a range of documents that touch on many different topics, although most have to do with science and engineering. The earliest documents relate to the Leiper Canal, including Rittenhouse's appraisal of it, and official documents relating to its creation. The largest portion of the documents is scientific correspondence to Robert Patterson, a member of the American Philosophical Society. Much of this correspondence is done under the cover of official APS business. Of particular note are a series of letters relating to nautical calculations that include complex equations used to determine longitude and latitude for nautical almanacs. There are also various lecture notes on natural philosophy, death, mathematics, engineering, and other subjects.
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