4. T have not any where hinted at the Auro¬ 
ra Borealis being ascnbable to the passing ofthe" 
&an’s light through the open poles ; indeed I 
have otherwise explained it in a recent number. 
5 Had Coole, or any other navigator, sailed to 
the ninetieth degree, or even beyond, that 
would not disprove the poles being widely open, 
as the extreme verge of the sphere would con¬ 
stitute the ninetieth degree. 
6 Galileo says “the theory never can be de¬ 
monstrated.” He sure'y cannot with any de¬ 
cree of-propriety after this, charge me with bold 
or extravagant declarations. How does he know 
that it never can be demonstrated? Most or 
all oi those navigators who have been highest 
north, have represented that they found a sea 
free, or nearly free from ice; and that tire tem¬ 
perature there became more mild as they ad¬ 
vanced north.^ To me it appears probable that 
the reasons of their return from such open sea, 
without further penetration; was generally ow¬ 
ing to their being perplexed, or" deceived in j 
their calculations of the course, latitude, longi- i 
tude, &c. owing to extraordinary refraction and 
other varied phenomena; and that on their re- : 
turn they were either unwilling to acknowledge 
errors they could not account for ,f or were not 
aware of errors they had made—which led to 
their return. If our nation will grant an outfit 
of two vessels,^ and place them under my di- j 
rection, and Galileo will join us, I feel confident 
I can convince him by occxda*• demonstration of i 
the genera! truth of my theory, and perhaps lead ■ 
him in at one pole and out at the other. 
Respectfully, 
JNO. CLElVES SYMMES. 
January 6, 1820. 
* There is some reason to believe that the me¬ 
dium m which the planets revolve, moves peri¬ 
odically round the sun,*and hears the planets a- ! 
tong as any boating matter is borne along a 
-current of water. 
j- Navigators of the arctic seas, sometimes 
charge their logline, compass, clock, &c. with 
errors —perhaps u j ijus'dv 
.* 7 should be glad to visit Washington this 
winter to explain my views there,and personally 
ask for an exploring outfit, in case 1 find public 
pinion sufficiently favorable towards my theory 
iPMntwi/ n t * 1Ht m y request would be 
‘ ut l * us 1 cannot do for want of dispo¬ 
sable means. * 
