On Account of Observations of the Total Eclipse of the Sun on 21st December 1843

                                was not total at Tirmim 7 miles further North 
nor at Poothocattah 10 miles still further. I met a 
Gentleman however who confidently affirmed that he
had observed it to be total at Trichinopoly and his 
testimony was confirmed by another who had 
also observed it there
The error which has since been discovered 
in the Nautical Almanac readily accounts for the dis-
appointment which I experienced, but altho i
I was not 
fortunate enough to succeed in making the observation 
for which I was sent I trust that the Government will 
be satisfied that the failure was not consequent upon 
any negligence or want of exertion on my part but simply 
from the existence of an error which none could have 
Suspected in a Work of such standard authority as 
the Nautical Almanac.
I have the honor further to state for the 
information of Government, that having provided my 
self with such Magnetic apparatus as I could convenien 
-tly carry. I took the opportunity of making observations 
of the Dip and Horizontal Intensity at the following 
places on my return 
Poothocattah 
Tanjore 
Negipatam 
Tranquebar 
Porto Novo 
Pondicherry 
Sadras