Autograph Note Signed

This notable scientist, physicist and engineer created important surveying maps and greatly advanced the scientific standing of the United States Coast Survey, which he served as superintendent (1843-67); he also served as first president (1863-67) of the influential National Academy of Sciences. ANS, 1p, 5" X 8", Coast Survey Office, 14 June [?] 1856. Addressed to Lieutenant J.M. Gillis. Very good. Mild show-through along three sides (not affecting text) from mounting traces on verso. Boldly penned in black ink in his small, challenging script, Bache notes that "Capt. Palmer who is now in charge of the Coast Survey office in Capt. Bonham's absence is very anxious to have a copy of your report & if you have one to spare, you would ship one by sending it to him." James Melville Gilliss (1811-65) was an astronomer and is remembered for founding the U.S. Naval Observatory in 1842 as well as for the 6-volume treatise, the United States Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere, published between 1855 and 1896. Gilliss headed the naval astronomical expedition to Chile (1859-52) whose goal was to chart critical astronomical observations and also data on earthquakes, geography, the Earth's magnetic field, and even politics and natural science. It's quite likely that Bache is requesting Gilliss to send a copy of the first volume of this influential set to Capt. Palmer (1809-62, friend of Bache's and his West Point roommate as well as topographic engineer with the Coast Survey). A choice little letter with nice associations.