best Instruments in the Hand of the best Observer for ascertaining the Longitude within the Limits of the Act of Queen Anne; and consequently, that how valuable soever the Lunar Tables may be for correcting a long dead Reckoning, and thereby telling us whereabouts we are, when we are not afraid of falling in with the Land, yet even during these 11 Days, they do not extend to the Security of Ships near the Shore.

This Method of ascertaining the Longitude by the Moon has already cost the Publick the Sum of 6,600l. at least, and yet no proper Experiment has been made of it.

I shall not presume to make any Reflections on the different Treatment the two Inventions have met with, nor will I take up more of the Reader’s Time by a Detail of the very earnest Attention paid by the French Government to this Object. If our Rivals in Commerce and Arts should rob us of the Honour as well as the first Advantages of the Discovery, I hope it will be admitted that the Fault is not mine: And I likewise flatter myself that I have now furnished sufficient Materials for the Justification of my Friends, and for shewing that the Cause which they from publick spirited Motives had the Goodness to espouse, was not unworthy of their Patronage.

Red-Lion-Square,
June 23, 1767 JOHN HARRISON.

FINIS.