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    Broadsheet on Longitude: 1714
    From: Frank Reed
    Date: 2009 Jun 8, 22:16 -0700

    The broadsheet published by Whiston and Ditton and circulated in London 
    encouraging a "Reward for the Discovery of the Longitude" has come up in 
    discussions a few times in the past few years. I'm copying in the text of it 
    below. 
    
    ---------------------------------------------
    June 10th, 1714
    
    Reasons for a Bill, Proposing a Reward for the Discovery of the Longitude
    
    I. This Bill is unexceptionable, because it is general, and not confin'd to 
    any one Project, Person, or Method; but gives equal Hopes to all Judicious 
    Proposers whatsoever.
    
    II. Because in this Bill no Money is insisted on before any Method for the 
    Discovery of the Longitude is, upon Trial, actually found Practicable and 
    Useful.
    
    III. Because Sir Isaac Newton's own Paper, delivered into the Committe, gives 
    hopes, that the Known Method by the Theory of the Moon, which is hitherto not 
    exact enough, may, upon due Encouragement, in time be brought to Perfection.
    
    IV. Because the Method now propos'd is own'd by all, to whom it has been 
    communicated, to be certainly true in Theory. It cannot therefore be fit to 
    have it conceal'd, even tho' it were not yet known to be practicable; because 
    in that Case, future Improvements might still make it so.
    
    V. Because its great Use at Land and in Geography is indisputable, and was 
    distinctly observ'd by Sir Isaac Newton and Dr. Halley, upon the first 
    Proposal of this Method to them. And we beg leave to say, that this Use alone 
    is so great and extensive, that if there were no other, it would highly 
    deserve the Encouragement of the Publick.
    
    VI. Because another great Use is also undoubted, viz, for all Places in the 
    Narrow Seas, and within about 100 Miles of all Shores and Islands; that is, 
    for all Places where Ships are in the greatest Danger; as Sir Isaac Newton 
    own'd to the Committee; so that if this Method extended no farther, yet it 
    would highly deserve the publick Encouragement.
    
    VII. Because there is little or no Reason to doubt of its Use at any Place at 
    Sea, even where Ships are allowed to be in the least Danger; since in the 
    most doubtful Case of All Sir Isaac Newton has, in his Paper delivered to the 
    Committee, proposed a most effectual Remedy for the same; as will be clearly 
    understood when the Method itself is known to the World.
    
    VIII. Because this Method will save the Nation great Sums of Money, which the 
    Want of it does now occasion; as will appear upon Trial.
    
    IX. Because the Charges of it will be inconsiderable, in Comparison of the 
    Advantage; as will also fully appear upon Trial.
    
    X. Because it will prevent the Loss of abundance of Ships and Lives of Men; as 
    it would certainly have sav'd all Sir Cloudesley Shovel's Fleet, had it been 
    then put in Practice.
    
    XI. Because it is easy to be understood and practis'd by Ordinary Seamen, 
    without the Necessity of any puzzling Calculations in Astronomy.
    
    And we take leave to Recommend the Learned Savilian Professor of Geometry at 
    Oxford, Dr. Halley, as the fittest Person in the World for the Tryal, and 
    Practice, and Improvement of this Method; and do hereby Declare, that we are 
    willing that he go equal Shares with us in the Reward, if he pleases to 
    undertake so Useful a Work, and the Publick please to make that Reward 
    equivalent to the great Dignity and Importance of the Discovery.
    
    Will Whiston
    Humphrey Ditton
    
    ---------------------------------------------
    
    -FER
    
    
    
    
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