A cooper and Vintner sat down for a talk,
Both being so groggy, that neither could walk,
Says Cooper to Vintner, "I'm the first of my trade,
There's no kind of vessel, but what I have made,
And of any shape, Sir,just what you will,
And of any size, Sir,from a ton to a gill!"
"Then," says the Vintner, "you're the man for me,
Make me a vessel, if we can agree.
The top and the bottom diameter define,
To bear that proportion as fifteen to nine,
Thirty-five inches are just what I crave,
No more and no less, in the depth, will I have;
Just thirty-nine gallons this vessel must hold,
Then I will reward you with silver or gold,
Give me your promise, my honest old friend?"
"I'll make it tomorrow, that you may depend!"
So the next day the Cooper his work to discharge,
Soon made the new vessel, but made it too large;
He took out some staves, which made it too small,
And then cursed the vessel, the Vintner and all.
He beat on his breast, "By the Powers!"he swore,
He never would work at his trade any more.
Now my worthy friend, find out, if you can,
The vessel's dimensions and comfort the man!
Benjamin Banneker.
We are indebted to Benjamin Hallowell, of Alexandria, for the solution of this problem. The greater diameter of Banneker's tub must be 24.745 inches; the less diameter 14.8476 inches. See Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 20.
157
The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 81.
158
The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 81.
159
Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 82.
160
Southern Literary Messenger, XXIII, p. 65.
161
Tyson's Banneker, p. 24.
162
Tyson, Banneker, p. 26.
163
J. H. B. Latrobe's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 8.
164
Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 82.
165
Tyson, Banneker, p. 51.
166
Mr. McHenry was not only one of the most prominent men of Baltimore, but was several times honored with positions of trust. He was Senator from Maryland in 1781; and as one of the Commissioners to frame the Constitution of the United States, he signed that instrument in 1787. He was also a member of the cabinet of President John Adams as Secretary of War in 1797.Tyson, Banneker, pp. 50, 51, 52.
167
Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, 1844-48, I, p. 79.
168
A copy of Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson and the statesman's reply were published in the Journal of Negro History, III, p. 69.
169
Catholic World, XXXVIII, December, 1883.
170
Washington Star, October 15, 1916.
171
Georgetown Weekly Ledger, March 12, 1791.
172
Tyson, Banneker, p. 37.
173
Tyson, Banneker, pp. 70-71.
174
Tyson, Banneker, pp. 35-60.
175
Records of the Columbia Historical Society, XX, pp. 117-119.
176
The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 84.
177
Tyson, Banneker, p. 31.
178
Ibid., p. 31.
179
Catholic World, XVIII, p. 354.
180
Norris's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, II, p. 75.
181
Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, October 28, 1806.
182
Norris's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, II, p. 64.
183
Ibid., II, p. 73.
184
Tyson, Banneker, p. 72.
185
Records of the Columbia Historical Society, XX, pp. 119-120.
186
He was sometimes called George Sharp.See Benedict, History of the Baptists, etc., p. 189.
[187] The facts of this article for the most part are taken from letters written about the work of Liele and Bryan and from correspondence concerning them published in London in the Baptist Annual Register.
187
Mr. Moore was an ordained Baptist minister, of Brooke County, Georgia.
188
The Journal of Negro History, I, p. 71.
189
Under the influence of his preaching Liele's wife was converted and baptized at Brunton Land.
190
Ibid., p. 336.
191
The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-93, p. 334.
192
The Journal of Negro History, I, pp. 71-72.
193
The Journal of Negro History, I, p. 72.
194
The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-1793, p. 335.
195
Benedict, History of the Baptists, p. 189.
196
The Baptist Annual Register, 1798-1801, p. 368.
197
The Baptist Annual Register, 1798-1801, p. 366.
[199] Dow, History of the Cosmopolite, p. 124.