Letter from John Wallis to Newton, dated 9 January 1698/9

Author: John Wallis

Source: MS Add. 3977.18, Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, UK

Published online: September 2012

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- Revision History
  - 12 June 2012
    - Daniele Cassisa started tagged transcription
  - 13 July 2012
    - Catalogue information compiled from CUL Janus Catalogue by Michael Hawkins
  - 14 September 2012
    - Proofed by Robert Iliffe
  - 18 September 2012
    - Preliminary audit of XML by Michael Hawkins
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<1r>

Oxford Ian. 9. 1698./9.

S^r

I had lately an intimation from D^r Gregory, as if it were a desire of yours, That (in a letter of M^r. Flamstead's concerning the Parallax of the Earth's Annual Orb, which I am about to print) I would omit a paragraph wherein you are mentioned: It is, wherein, \when/ I had pressed his com̄unicat{illeg}|in|g to me and the his o publike his obser{illeg}|v|ations concerning this matter; he excuseth his delay of gratifying me therein, from his diversions by other Business; & (amongst the rest) this for one: "Contraxeram etiam cum D^o Newtono (Doctissimo tunc temporis in Academia Cantabrigiensi Professore) necessitudinem, cui Lume loca ab observationibus meis ante habitis deducta 150 dederam, cum locis simul è Tabulis meis ad earū tempora supputatis, tum similia in posterū prout assequerer promiseram, cum elementis calculi mei in ordine ad emendationem Theoriæ Lunaris Horroccianæ qua {in} re spero eū successus consecuturum expectationi suæ pares. Hinc cū ingeniosis duobus viris (in Septentrionalibus Angliæ partibus) ut ipsis impertirem loca duorū superiorum planetarum (Saturni et Iovis) in ordine ad restituendum illorū motus, quam rem ipsi tunc moliebantur." Upon which I wrote to M^r Flamsted to have his opinion in it. For I was not to alter his letter without his order.

I have since an answer from him, to this purpose: That it was (he supposeth) rather a suggestion of D^r Gregory's own, than any order from you, to have it left out; for that you do readyly acknowledge in all companies, that you had from him such Observations; & that upon his now writing to you on this occasion, he hath received no answer from you to the contrary, \& therefore/ he thinks that you do acquiesce, as to the publishing that paragraph with y^e rest, & seems yet to adhere to it.

For my part, I am willing to serve you both, & not willing to displease either And therefore desire you will please to accom̄odate that busyness between yourselves. And I shall readyly comply with what you two agree upon therein. {illeg}|A|nd I desire I may have an account from you, as soon as may be; because y^e Press will quickly be ready for it. I am

S^r

Yours to serve you

John Wallis.

I do not apprehend any prejudice to you in printing it, (being merely true ma{illeg}|tt|er of fact.) And it seems of concernment to him to satisfy the world (from this & other things mentioned,) that he is not idle: though he be not yet in a readyness to publish that whole of his Observations (for which he is frequently called upon,) it being a great work.

<1v>

For the W{illeg}|ors|hipfull M^r
Isaac Newton, Master of the Mint,
at the Tower,
London.