Stenton and had his thoughtful attention drawn by a falling piece of glass, that there sprang up in his mind the ideas of the Quadrant, which he first imparted to Logan, who found him immediately after this incident in his library consulting a volume of Newton to aid him in elucidating his thoughts; and it was due to Logan's help in furthering his experiments, that success was reached and due honor granted Godfrey as the inventor of the Quadrant, preceding by two years the claim of Hadley to the discovery.[1]
Logan was a staunch Friend but he could not fully share in the Society's absolute views on non resistance; and quite consistently he not only took an interest in but also contributed to the Association which Franklin in 1747 originated for the defence of the city against foreign invasion which was then feared, and for which the Friends, then controlling the Assembly, would appropriate no funds. Logan writes to Franklin 3 December, 1747:[2]
I have expected to see thee here for several weeks, according to my son's information, with Euclid's title page printed, and my Mattaire's Lives of the Stephenses; but it is probable thy thoughts of thy new excellent project have in some measure diverted thee, to which I most heartily wish all possible success. * * * Ever since I have had the power of thinking, I have clearly seen that government without arms is an inconsistency, for Friends spare no pains to get and accumulate estates, and are yet against defending them, though these very estates are in a great measure the sole cause of their being invaded, as I showed to our Yearly Meeting, last September was six years, in a paper then printed. But I request to be informed, as soon as thou hast any leisure, what measures are proposed to furnish small arms, powder, and ball to those in the country; and particularly what measures are taken to defend our river, especially at the Red Bank, on the Jersey side, and on our own, where there ought not to be less than forty guns, from six to twelve pounders. What gunners are to be depended on? Thy project of a lottery to clear £3000. is excellent, and I hope it will be speedily filled; nor shall I be wanting. But thou wilt answer all these questions and much more, if thou wilt visit me here, as on First day, to dine with me, and thou wilt exceedingly oblige thy very loving friend, James Logan.
