C 3 
II. A Letter from Mr, j. Alexander to Peter 
Collinfon, F. R. S. concerning a *PIace in 
New- York for meafuring a Degree of Lati- 
tude. 
S I Ri New-Torky July zi. 1 740. 
T he Mention of the French Endeavours to dif- 
cover the Figure of the Earth by Obfervation, 
puts me in Mind That a very exad Obfervation 
for that Purpofe might be made here, becaufe Hud- 
fons River here is frozen over from New-Tork up to 
Albany y and its Courfe is very ftrait, almoh true North, 
and the Diftance between Kew-Tork and Albany is 
above One hundred and Fifty Miles ; New-Tork is in 
Latitude of 40'' 40', nearly j fo that the Length of 
above Two Degrees of Latitude on the Earth might 
be meafured here, with much more Exadnefs than 
it was poflible in England or Francey becaufe of the 
Afeents and Defeents, and curved Lines, which, I 
think, they would continually be obliged to make 
Allowances for. 
From all which DifEculties the Menfuration here 
on the Ic€ would be intirely clear. 
Yours, 
7. Alexander. 
III. AV 
