a, V s ti)e inner equatorial regions • . n ,> 
according to rny calculations, the most .ii- 
iect course towards the nearest land of the 
inner continent. If any one quarter of the 
horizon is regularly more or less luminous 
tnan another, it will afford a good guide in 
Ihose seasons when the sun is absent. Pin¬ 
kerton mentions a “black bank 5 ’ seen all 
winter to the north of Nova Zeinbla ia 
lat. 78 degrees. 
Respectfully, 
JNO. CLEVES SYMMES 
Newport, (Ky.) June 23d, 1823. 
Extract of a letter, dated 6ih May, 1823 from a 
late officer of the army to J. C. Symmes. 
Sir : It was my intention long since to 
have written to you, requesting you to ^ 
ward to me a copy of your theor^*!^ thl 
internal or hollow situation of the earth._ 
I learn that you were in Zanesville in 
Siarch last. Had I known that you were 
there, I would have made a pleasant jour¬ 
ney of thirty miles for the purpose of con¬ 
versing with you respecting your views. 
Should it be convenient, I would take 
it as a great favour if you would forward 
to me, to this place, a copy of your theory, 
with the explanatory map,(if I may so term 
it,) and a line from yourself. 
I am just going into my 30th year; but, 
from the reports l have seen from the 
British discovery ships, I do not hesitate 
in believing that, if my life and health per¬ 
mit, I may ere I arrive at 45, be. an eye 
witness to the truth of your theory. Co- 
lumbus 5 s theory of a “new world,” in which 
we now are, was undoubtedly more lightly 
esteemed, and more grossly ridiculed, aC 
his first endeavors at discovery, than yours 
are. He had, perhaps, not more prejudi¬ 
ces to overcome than you have,considering 
the age in which he lived compared with 
the present; but patience is a requisite 
necessary in the composition of philosophic 
men ; and I hope you will have enough to 
persist and persevere in your project, not¬ 
withstanding the attempts of burlesquing 
editors of newspapers and paltry wi iters 
to blast your spirit of discovery and enter- 
arize. 
