First expedition of David Douglas: Journal 1

Title

First expedition of David Douglas: Journal 1

Record type

Archive

Original Reference

RHS/Col/5/1/1/1

Date

3 Jun 1823-10 Jan 1824

Scope & content

David Douglas's travel journal relating to his first expedition to the east coast of North America

Overview of contents:
Pages 1-75: Narrative of journey, 3 Jun 1823-10 Jan 1824
Pages 76-142: Blank

Physical description: Bound in hard covers with marbled paper sides in red/brown shell pattern with blue veins. Labelled 'Rough Journal. David Douglas 1823' and 'From the Royal Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE'. Title on the flyleaf in pencil: 'East Armenian [sic; American] Journey 1823'. The binding is in fair condition. The edges of a few protruding pages which are pasted in are brittle. Pages 69-75 are pasted onto the leaves of the volume. Fragile. Handle with care. Dimensions: 32 (h) x 21.5 (w) cm

This volume is the first version of David Douglas's travel journal relating to his first expedition. For another partial version of the journal, Sep-Nov 1823, see RHS/Col/5/1/1/2. A transcription combining the two volumes was published by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1914, edited by the secretary of the society, Rev William Wilks, and the librarian, H.R. Hutchinson, with the title 'Douglas' journal 1823-1827'

The volume is written on both rectos and versos in David Douglas's hand. There are annotations in pencil and ink in another hand, probably by the editors of the journals in 1914. These annotations expand abbreviations, clarify spelling and separate the entries, and have not been noted in the description

Original foliation is on the upper right-hand corners of rectos (beginning on the first page, numbering 41-74). The volume was paginated on the upper right-hand corner of rectos during cataloguing

Pages 69-75, comprising journal entries, had been pasted onto the leaves, possibly by the editors of the 1914 transcription. Pages 76-142 are blank

Illustrations: there is a small drawing of a flower on page 53, following the entry for 27-28 Oct 1823

Summary of contents:

(3 Jun 1823) Taking a coach to Liverpool from Charing Cross, London. Pleasant morning after rain through the night. The country 'very fine for 17 miles from the metropolis'. Finding Conferva egerops [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018] whilst changing horses. Seeing beautiful fields at Woburn Abbey, 'tastefully laid out', divided by hedgerows planted with horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), in full flower: 'a very imposing appearance'. Seeing Menyanthes nymphoides [Limnanthemum nymphoides] for the first time 'in its natural state'. Arriving at Northampton at 2.30pm and resting for 25 minutes, before reaching Lancaster [?Leicester] 9.45pm. Dining and leaving again at 10.30pm. Rain and cold during the night

Arriving at Liverpool at 4pm. Calling on Messrs Morral & Woodward [commercial agents in Liverpool], finding out that the Ann Maria of New York, which he had booked, was to sail the following morning. Making arrangements for the journey. Visiting the Botanic Garden. Being received by Mr Shepherd [John Shepherd, curator of the Liverpool Botanic Garden] 'in the most handsome manner' and being shown Shepherd's 'treasures', many from North America, including ferns, Sarracenia adunca [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018] ('luxurious appearance'), Ranunculus aconitifolius ('which I learn is rare; Mr Munro [Donald Munro, gardener at the Horticultural Society of London] says that he never saw it, save in the collection of Mr Don of Forfar [George Don, botanist in Forfar, Scotland, father of Horticultural Society plant collector, George Don]'), Anemone alpina and Scottish rarities, such as Menziesia [here the journal includes a list of 19 more plants]

Returning to town. Meeting with Captain Tair, captain of the Ann Maria, intending to sail the following morning

(5 Jun 1823) Going on board the ship at 6am, but the captain (to his 'great mortification') being unable to navigate the river. Pleased, Douglas returning on shore to visit the Botanic Garden again: 'I had thus full scope of seeing it in perfection'. John Shepherd showing him four species of Tillandsia from Trinidad, and about thirty plants of Arracacia ('the same as I saw at the Society's garden'): 'one of the species of Tillandsia was remarkably woolly. He had some other species received last year from [the] same source doing well, nail [nailed] on the back wall of his stove'

(6 Jun 1823) On board the ship at 9am, 'in tow of two power steam boats, which left 15 miles down the channel'. Slow progress with contrary winds

(7 Jun 1823) Making little progress: 'all day tossing in the channel'. Many passengers sick, but Douglas feeling 'perfectly comfortable', apart from a headache caused by the cold on the way to Liverpool

(8 Jun 1823) Rain and strong gales

(9 Jun 1823) Strong gales and 'tremendous sea', and a fine, pleasant breeze later

(10 Jun 1823) The first good morning. Most of the passengers still sick. 'Clouds of sea fowl' surrounding the ship. Seeing the Welsh coast

(11-12 Jun 1823) 'Averse' winds. Seeing the rocky shores of Wales in the distance viewed between the Isle of Man and Isle of Anglesey. No sun

(13 Jun 1823) Cloudy. 'Put on allowance of water, two quarts to each individual'

(14 Jun 1823) Latitude 47°33'N

(15-16 Jun 1823) Hazy, 'thick' and foggy weather

(17 Jun 1823) Light winds in the forenoon. Calm towards the evening. Being amused by shoals of porpoises around the ship

(18-19 Jun 1823) Calm. A small vessel bound eastward passing the ship

(20 Jun 1823) Being accompanied by a brig and a sloop [sailing boats], 'which afforded pleasure'. Latitude 44°19

(21-22 Jun 1823) Calm

(23 Jun 1823) 'Thick' weather. Accompanied by another ship. Latitude 43°35

(24 Jun 1823) Light northerly breeze. Latitude 42°53

(25-26 Jun 1823) 'This being my birthday (I completing my twenty-fourth year) and the market day of my native place, I could not help thinking over the days that were gone'. Light winds, making little progress

(27-28 Jun 1823) Thick fog in the morning. No sun

(29 Jun 1823) 'A delightful view' of Flores [Azores, Portugal] at 8am about 15 leagues away, appearing very rocky. Pleasant. Shooting four sea birds, but being unable to pick them up due to strong currents. Latitude 39°34, longitude 36°12

(30 Jun 1823) Within three leagues of Flores at 4am. Seeing small shrubs on the northern shore with the captain's glass [binoculars]. Preparing the boat for going on shore

(1 Jul 1823) 'Wind favourable, which prevented the captain sending the boat on shore, which was a disappointment to me'. Seeing the peak of Pico [Mount Pico, Azores, Portugal] nine leagues away

(2 Jul 1823) Foggy. Losing sight of the islands. Sunshine at midday. The sky towards the evening 'beyond description'. Latitude 40°2'N

(3-5 Jul 1823) 'Nothing particular'. Calm and cloudy. 'I found my Spanish grammar a great relief, and sometimes I took a book of 'Linnaean Transactions''

(6-8 Jul 1823) Dull, heavy weather. Making little progress

(9 Jul 1823) A heavy shower at 4am: 'I could not but observe how the dogs eagerly licked the decks'. Some of the passengers washing their clothes. Latitude 43°N

(9-10 Jul 1823) Light breezes, squally and rainy

(11-12 Jul 1823) Thick fog and rain

(13-14 Jul 1823) 'Very unpleasant' fogs on the west coast of Newfoundland [Canada]

(15 Jul 1823) Rough sea, with strong winds tearing the sails: 'we look all pitiful indeed'. More moderate in the evening, and pleasant by midnight

(16 Jul 1823) Cloudy and adverse winds

(17 Jul 1823) Pleasant morning, breezy towards midday and foggy in the afternoon

(18-19 Jul 1823) Pleasant morning, but squally towards the night. 'Water very bad at tea'. No sun

(20 Jul 1823) Pleasant, making little progress

(21 Jul 1823) Strong breezes and moderate northerly wind

(22-23 Jul 1823) Foggy

(24 Jul 1823) Pleasant weather. Measuring 45 fathoms of water at Georges Bank [United States of America and Canada], 25 fathoms at midnight

(25 Jul 1823) Reaching the west end of Georges Bank. Clearing the Nantucket Shoals [United States of America], expecting to reach land soon. Passing fishing vessels. No sun

(26 Jul 1823) The captain sending on board two fishermen, procuring fresh mackerel, 'a very great delicacy'

(27 Jul 1823) Coming in sight of Cape Cod [Massachusetts, United States of America] six leagues away: 'a pleasing spectacle'. Latitude 41°38

(28 Jul 1823) Monday. A strong breeze, heavy sea. Latitude 40°48

(29 Jul 1823) 'Every person on board now became uneasy', the crew and the passengers being out of tobacco: 'nothing but passengers buying, bartering etc, which made good sport. Sailors chewing their tobacco, drying it, and then smoking the same'. 12 fathoms of water at 10pm. Foggy

(30 Jul 1823) A fine light breeze. Reaching Block Island [Rhode Island, United States of America] at 12pm: 'I now felt myself nearer'

(31 Jul 1823) Coming in sight of Long Island [New York, United States of America]: 'I cannot express the satisfaction I feel'. The shores sandy and rocky. Accompanied by four vessels

(1 Aug 1823) A fine wind. Squalls at midday. Views of Long Island

(2 Aug 1823) Saturday. The ship 'all in an uproar', in consequence of the death of a horse belonging to one of the passengers, the horse having cost him £200 in England. Seeing light at Sandy Hook [New Jersey, United States of America]

(3 Aug 1823) Sunday. Everyone delighted at seeing 'more of the new world' at 4am. Taking a pilot on board at 7am. At 10am, passing 'the floating light [a vessel acting as a lighthouse] lately erected', its captain boarding the Ann Maria. Passing the forts [?Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth, New York] to the right and left. Anchoring at 4.30pm. The health officer boarding the ship at 5pm and ordering a fourteen-day quarantine due to smallpox. Going on shore on Staten [Staten Island, New York] at 6pm, returning on board an hour later

(4 Aug 1823) Monday. 'This day presented nothing but bustle', everyone anxious to get on shore. Being permitted to go on shore at midday for two hours

(5 Aug 1823) Applying to the medical officer to go to the city. Not being allowed to go with any of the clothing on board, 'which induced me to purchase clothing and go up'. Returning in the evening. Nothing permitted to leave the ship. Messrs Kennedy & Maitland [merchants in New York] being out of town, attempting unsuccessfully to find Dr Hosack [David Hosack, physician and botanist in New York]. Going through the town and taking a steamboat to Staten Island. Oppressive heat, the temperature 96° in the shade

(6 Aug 1823) 'This morning can never be effaced'. Rain during the night, cooling the air and adding 'a hue to nature's work, which was truly grand'. Seeing the fine orchards of Long Island and the variety of soil and vegetation of Staten Island: 'I once more thought myself happy'

Going to the city in the afternoon 'to see what steps I should take as to the progression of my business'. Not being able to retrieve his luggage for two more days, and as a result starting to feel uneasy after the long passage, 'and then to be perplexed'. Being received by David Hosack in a cordial manner. Visiting Dr Torrey [John Torrey, physician and botanist in New York], 'whom I found an intelligent botanist, an agreeable person, and much disposed to aid me'. Returning to Staten Island

(7 Aug 1823) Moving the luggage on shore and through the custom house. Seeing oaks and maples, Liriodendron, Pyrola maculata [Chimaphila maculata] ('growing one mile west of marine hospital'), two species of Stellaria ('on this small hill I found asbestos in great abundance'), Verbena hastata ('growing on dry gravelly soil') and two species of Smilax, growing 'spontaneously' [here the journal includes a list of 7 more plants]

(8 Aug 1823) Moving boxes to town. Spending the afternoon with David Hosack

(9 Aug 1823) Meeting Mr Hogg [Thomas Hogg, owner of a nursery in New York], 'who expressed himself glad to see a person from London'. Hogg, at David Hosack's suggestion, offering assistance and guidance to the city

(10 Aug 1823) Sunday. Going with Hogg to see the gardens 'of his neighbours and religious friends'

(11 Aug 1823) Monday. Going early in the morning to Fulton vegetable market [Fulton Stall Market, Seaport, New York, United States of America]: 'it had a beautiful appearance'. Seeing vegetables and fruits including beet ('of superior quality'), onions ('fine, mostly red'), cucumbers ('not so fine as may be expected, and appeared for the most part to be the same as the short prickly ones cultivated in England'), damsons and pineapples (from the West Indies) [here the journal includes a list of 9 more vegetables and fruits]: 'I observed a very great deficiency of cauliflower, indeed they were miserably poor'.

Setting off for Flushing [New York] at 8am to visit the gardens of Mr Prince [William Prince, horticulturist in New York]: 'I found him a man of but moderate liberality'. Seeing some good specimens of Magnolia, Berberis aquifolium, a few European plants, common shrubs and herbs. 'Indeed on the whole I must confess to be somewhat disappointed', having had high expectations due to Prince's 'extensive catalogue and some talk', but finding most of the garden covered with weeds

Seeing beautiful villas on the banks of the Sound [Long Island Sound]. Seeing people preparing to dive to the Hussar, a British frigate 'taken during the late war' [HMS Hussar, wrecked in 1780 off New York]

(12-13 Aug 1823) Crossing the Hudson River [New York and New Jersey] early in the morning to visit fruit orchards. Seeing a particularly fine twenty-acre orchard belonging to an old Dutch farmer, with 24 varieties of peach. Hearing about the methods of growing them, with the stones sown in April, in rows four feet apart, and six to ten inches between the seeds. The seedlings appearing in May and being kept clear of weeds by a horse-drawn plough, with any lateral shoots pinched off, leaving the plant only with the top shoot: 'about the end of August the same season they are inoculated, headed off at the usual time the following spring, and frequently the second season after budding they produce fruit'. Plums frequently grown from seed

Spending the whole day in the gardens, which were 'devoted chiefly to ornamental plants in the swamps', including Sarracenia purpurea, Bletia tuberosa [Calopogon tuberosus], Salix babylonica, Populus balsamifera and Nuphar advena [here the journal includes a list of 12 more plants]

(14 Aug 1823) Thursday. Visiting the Botanic Garden, 'which is now, I am sorry to say, in ruins', one of the hothouses having been taken down, one stripped of glass, and only the greenhouse 'still in a sort of form'. A good variety of soil, and well-chosen location. Seeing 'some good trees' of Magnolia cordata [Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata] and Magnolia macrophylla, but 'all the herbarium plants are gone from the greenhouse, and have been given to the lunatic asylum'. Visiting Mr Codie's [unidentified] orchard and garden in the afternoon, and being promised fruits and seeds of melon, 'in which he excels'

(15 Aug 1823) Friday. Learning through David Hosack of a plum called Washington ('a name which every product in the United States that is great or good is called'). Receiving four plums, varying between three pounds and three and three quarters of a pound in weight, the largest seven and three-eighths of an inch in circumference, shaped like a greengage, its colour 'somewhat between cream and sulphur', with a delicious greengage-like flavour, small stone and thin skin. The tree had been bought by 'a Mrs Miller [unidentified] about thirty years since out of the flower market. After standing in her garden for 5 years, it was during a thunderstorm cleft nearly to the bottom', but sent up suckers the following spring, which the 'great' William Bolmer [merchant in New York] acquired and planted: 'the fruit has improved every succeeding year, the taste being the best'. The tree growing in 'pure red sand', the original tree having been removed, and three cartloads of good soil from a cultivated field and decayed vegetable matter given to the tree, with the roots left bare during the winter. Preserving the fruit in spirits

(16 Aug 1823) Saturday. Writing to England. Going to Staten Island and crossing the bay to Long Island. Little attention paid to cabbage, broccoli and beetroot: 'carrots are objects of more attention'

(17 Aug 1823) Sunday. Attending church. Dining with David Hosack at his house

(18 Aug 1823) Monday. 'Rectifying my lists etc'

(19 Aug 1823) Tuesday. Going with Thomas Hogg on board a steam packet to New Brunswick [New Jersey], then by coach to Trenton [New Jersey] by Kingston [New Jersey], Princeton [New Jersey] and Lawrenceville [New Jersey]. The country well cultivated, the soil rich and light: 'for upwards of ten miles it appeared a garden'. Sleeping at Trenton

(20 Aug 1823) Wednesday. Going on a steamer from Trenton to Burlington [New Jersey], fifteen miles away. Being welcomed by Mr Coxe [William Coxe, pomologist and politician in New Jersey]. Seeing his new 'vast and extensive' orchards, with a good selection of peaches, apples and pears and the cider harvest about to begin. Coxe promising to send the Horticultural Society fruit in the autumn, 'after his checking off what he considered to be new'. Recommending a Mr Smith [Daniel Smith, nurseryman in New Jersey], his business partner, as a contact for Douglas. Sleeping at an inn as Coxe's family was 'poorly, except one of his daughters'

(21 Aug 1823) Thursday. Seeing on the pine barrens near Burlington Epigaea repens, two species of Pyrola, Rubus cuneifolius, Rhexia virginica and Laurus sassafras [Sassafras albidum] [here the journal includes a list of 5 more plants]. Leaving Burlington at 5pm by steamboat, arriving at Philadelphia [Pennsylvania, United States of America] at 7pm

(22 Aug 1823) Friday. Visiting Mr Collins [Zaccheus Collins, amateur botanist and plant collector in Philadelphia], 'a botanist of distinction in that quarter' and a friend of David Hosack's. Collins recommending a visit to the 'venerable' John Bartram [John Bartram, botanist, horticulturist and explorer in Philadelphia], Mr Lisle [J. Lisle] of Woodlands [estate built by the Hamilton family in Philadelphia, with extensive gardens and greenhouses], Henry Pratt [merchant in Philadelphia] and the local nurseries: 'I am truly obliged to this gentleman for his kind attention and his willingness to forward the views of the Society'

Visiting Mr Will Dick [William Dick, janitor at the University of Pennsylvania], janitor of the university, and being received kindly and shown 'the garden he has established partly on his own account'. Seeing Euphorbia variegata [?Euphorbia marginata] from Arkansas [United States of America], Donia ciliata [Grindelia ciliata] ('figured in Hooker, 'Fl Ex' 1823 [William Jackson Hooker, 'Exotic Flora', 1823], a most singular plant belonging to the natural order Compositae, root large, resembling Bryonia dioica [?Bryonia cretica], has a taste like Quassia, gives a liquor-like porter by fermentation, from the Rocky Mountains [United States of America and Canada] (Major Long's 'Expedition', 1822 [James Edwin, 'Account of an expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, performed in the years 1819-1820', 1822, based on Stephen Harriman Long, American military explorer])'), a species of Fumaria ('a species of vine from Long's expedition, differs from any in cultivation'), Verbena bipinnatifida ('from Arkansas') and a species of Salix ('beautiful, not in Britain') [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants]. Hoping to obtain seeds in the autumn

Visiting Mr McMahon [?Thomas Paine McMahon and his mother Ann McMahon, who ran Bernard McMahon's nursery in Philadelphia], three miles north of the city. Not finding him at home, but looking around the garden. Finding, 'after a patient search', two plants of Maclura, seventeen feet high, bushy and rugged, with a few fruits on the trees, the plant well described in Pursh's preface to 'Flora Amer' [Frederick Traugott Pursh, 'Flora Americae Septentrionalis', 1814]. Visiting 'Bartram's old place, but found no person at home'

(23 Aug 1823) Saturday. Visiting the vegetable market in the morning, finding the supply and the produce 'finer' than in New York [United States of America], with superior-looking peaches and apples: 'they have not that sickly appearance, which is found among the fruit of New York'. Visiting Landreth's [seed company in Philadelphia] nearby, with many fine plants, including Champneya rose, originating in the southern states, Magnolia cordata [Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata] ('a fine tree'), Berberis aquifolium ('rather sickly'), a fine Lagerstroemia indica ('imported from China, in flower') and grapes ('[they] thrive well here, running up poles or on trellises') [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants]

(24 Aug 1823) Sunday. Being shown the main sights in and around the town. Seeing Centaurea americana [Centaurea melitensis] in a small garden: 'plants are cultivated in this city with a good deal of taste'

(25-26 Aug 1823) Monday-Tuesday. Setting off at 4am with Thomas Hogg for Chester, Delaware [United States of America], 15 miles away ('said to be good for the neatness of its gardens'), and then Wilmington [Delaware], Newcastle [New Castle, Delaware] and Newport [Delaware]. Seeing nothing new, but the plants finely ordered and managed, including Rubus cuneifolius on the banks of the Brandywine Creek [Pennsylvania and Delaware], among Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias syriaca and a species of Eupatorium

Returning to the town on Tuesday and visiting Woodlands, four miles away. Not finding Mr Lisle, but seeing 'what might be said to be the finest American establishment': 'the whole place has the appearance of nicety'. Seeing the famous Cyamus luteus [Nelumbo lutea] growing 'south of the navy yard' with Sagittaria obtusa [?Sagittaria trifolia], Nymphaea odorata and Nuphar advena

(27 Aug 1823) Wednesday. Taking a steamboat from Philadelphia to Bordentown [New Jersey]. Seeing the house of Joseph Bonaparte [Joseph-Napoleon Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte]: 'a most splendid mansion', with well-cultivated fields and English-style pleasure grounds with fine views. Taking the stage [stagecoach] to Amboy [Perth Amboy or South Amboy, New Jersey]. Sleeping at Amboy

(28 Aug 1823) Thursday. Continuing the journey by steamboat, passing Elizabethtown [Elizabeth, New Jersey] and arriving via Staten Island to New York. Fetching plants from 'the office, where they had been left' and taking them to the son of Thomas Hogg to be planted and secured: 'I cannot but consider myself happy at meeting with Mr Hogg: he carefully attends to the little treasures during my absence'

(29 Aug 1823) Friday. Putting the Osage apple [Osage orange] in spirits. Visiting Mr Floy [Michael Floy, nurseryman in New York] to select specimen trees from his grounds

(30 Aug 1823) Saturday. Visiting the market in the morning. Admiring the vegetables, in particular celery, in the garden of Mr Wilson [William Wilson, nurseryman in New York], a market gardener. Wilson building a large, 'elegant' greenhouse

(31 Aug 1823) Going to Flushing in the morning to talk to William Prince about plants. Only finding his son ('a great pedant') at home. Returning at 2pm. Arranging lists and catalogues

(1 Sep 1823) Monday. Writing to Mr Sabine [Joseph Sabine, secretary of the Horticultural Society of London]. Preparing to leave early by steamboat, but being prevented 'owing to a change of boats'. Arranging dried plants. Attending a committee meeting of the New York Horticultural Society to offer assistance whilst in New York. The president of the society M. Hoffman [Martin Hoffman] 'is a man of reputation, being a wealthy merchant here', treating Douglas with 'all possible attention imaginable'. Staying the night at Hoffman's house: 'they will assist me materially in the way of my selection'

(2 Sep 1823) Tuesday. On David Hosack's advice, visiting a friend of his, a fruit grower living seven miles away. Obtaining a 'curious sort of bean of South American origin'. Seeing 20 trees of Seckel pears, 'loaded to the ground' with small fruit. Riding with Hosack in the afternoon to meet another one of his friends 14 miles away

(3 Sep 1823) Wednesday. Spending most of the day with a Mr Shaw [?William Shaw, gardener in New York], 'a private gentleman of this city, who is a fruit grower of more than ordinary merit'. Seeing his garden, consisting of two English acres of peaches and grapes, the peaches four years old and 'in excellent state of bearing'. Seeing a plant of Isabella grape, trained over the veranda, covering a space of about 75 feet in length: 'thought to prove a valuable thing in wine or probably dessert'

(4 Sep 1823) Thursday. Boarding the steamboat James Kent at 5am. Travelling up the Hudson River towards Albany [New York, United States of America]. The scenery 'particularly fine on the west side', with perpendicular rocks covered with wood. Seeing many 'pleasant' villas in the highlands about 40 miles from New York: 'West Point [New York] is still pointed out to strangers, being the place where the unfortunate, but good, Major Andre paid the debt of nature in his country's defence [John Andre, British army officer, was hanged as a spy during the American Revolutionary War in 1780]'. The approach to the fort and military school 'has a beautiful effect'

Going on shore at 1.30pm to visit Governor Lewis [Morgan Lewis, previously governor of New York], 80 miles from New York, but finding him and his family away from home. Stopping at an inn three miles away for refreshment. Walking by the Hudson, but finding nothing interesting, apart from a rose growing out of a crevice of rock, with no flowers but '40 capsules in a corymb'

(5 Sep 1823) Friday. Being woken up at 5am by James Thomson Junior of Elerslie [Ellerslie, New York], Morgan Lewis's neighbour, offering Douglas to stay with him. Receiving 'great attention' from Mrs Thomson [Eliza Thomson], but Mr Thomson Senior [James Thomson, merchant in New York] being away attending the Supreme Court at New York. Seeing a fine collection of fruits and vegetables in the garden, with peaches ('in great vigour and health, neither pruned nor get any manure'), apples ('the usual choice ones peculiar to America') and pears

Finding in their woods Gerardia flava [Aureolaria flava] 'in great perfection', growing in dry gravelly soil, shadowing another 'small and starved' species of Gerardia. Seeing several species of Eupatorium, Inula, Solidago and Aster: 'the whole of this place seems in cultivation, like England'. Seeing four large oaks of different species and being promised acorns on his return. Going to bed early, intending to take the steamboat to Albany early in the morning

(6 Sep 1823) Saturday. Boarding the steamboat Richmond at 1am. The scenery similar to previous days. Arriving at Albany at 11am. Visiting 'his excellency', Governor Clinton [DeWitt Clinton, naturalist and governor of New York], 'who showed me attention, desiring me to call the following day at 12 o'clock and he would consult with me as to my route. I left him with my instructions and withdrew'. Going to the vegetable market, with an abundant supply of fruits. Seeing a small native plum and 'superior' cabbages and beans

(7 Sep 1823) Sunday. Being woken up at 5am by thunder and flooding in the streets: 'the town standing on a gentle declivity, the water rushed with great rapidity'. Visiting DeWitt Clinton, in whose opinion Douglas ought to proceed directly to Canada, 'the season being far advanced', suggesting he take the steamboat Superior from Buffalo [New York] the following Saturday. The governor giving Douglas letters of introduction 'to all the places of science or influence on my line of journey', with 'a small guide and verbal instructions'

Preparing to leave Albany, intending to see more of it on the return journey. Writing to Joseph Sabine. Leaving at 4pm and reaching Schenectady [New York] at 9pm. Torrential rain all the way

(8 Sep 1823) Continuing the journey at 3am towards Utica [New York]: 'the rich verdure of nature, the lofty mountains on the right hand, the fertile fields, and the Mohawk [Mohawk River, New York] gliding down on the left, gave to the country an appearance fine beyond description'. Seeing farms with orchards, with 10 to 12 varieties of apples, two or three varieties of plums, but not many pears. 'In every village or cottage stood a cider mill, casks & [people] busy employed in preparing for their cider harvest'

Arriving at Little Falls [New York], 70 miles from Albany, at 2pm: 'the bad road and the jolting reduced me so much that I was obliged to give up that mode of travelling'. Taking a canal boat. Seeing a beautiful, elegant granite bridge and aqueduct across the Mohawk, with three arches: 'built in the space of two months and two days, dedicated to DeWitt Clinton [Clinton was responsible for building the Erie Canal, built between 1817 and 1825]'. Arriving at Utica at 9pm

(9 Sep 1823) Tuesday. Leaving at 8am by canal boat for Rochester [New York], 60 miles away. The fields rich and fertile, generally well cultivated. Passing Rome [New York] at 12pm, and seeing 'two fine seats [residence of importance] on an eminence'. Passing large swamps of fir, walnut, ash, oak and elm. Finding ('to my astonishment') a Magnolia ten feet high, with large, smooth, ovate, acute leaves. The boats being 'fitted up on good principles', accommodating 24 ladies in one cabin and as many men in another. Sleeping on board, but being disturbed on passing the locks. Arriving at Rochester at 6am on 11 Sep

(11 Sep 1823) Thursday. After breakfast at 8am, taking the mail [mail coach] to Avon [New York], 24 miles south, intending to get the coach on the western road to Buffalo, but having to stay the night in Avon. Going to see the 'celebrated' sulphur springs known as Avon Springs, a health destination

(12 Sep 1823) Friday. Leaving early in the morning by stage [stagecoach] for Buffalo. Breakfasting in Caledonia [New York], a Scottish settlement. The country flat, and the settlements 'in infancy', the ground being cleared by burning. The country around Batavia [New York] ('a neat little village') fine, with rich and well-cultivated fields. Continuing the journey at 4pm through woods and marshes: 'a wild and desolate place'. Arriving at Buffalo at 12am

(13 Sep 1823) Saturday. Writing to Joseph Sabine. Visiting Oliver Forward [judge in Buffalo], 'a gentleman of considerable wealth, and friend of Governor Clinton [DeWitt Clinton]'. Walking around the town before breakfast. Going on board the steamboat at 9am and sailing at 10am

Arriving at Amherstburg [Ontario, Canada] after a pleasant 60-hour passage. After moving his trunk on shore, visiting Mr Briscoe [Henry Briscoe, officer, who served in the war of 1812 with Edward Sabine, geophysicist and astronomer, brother of Joseph Sabine], and being received with 'great kindness' and promises of assistance to the Horticultural Society: 'I felt sorry to learn the loss of his birds'. Spending the evening with Briscoe, intending to make an excursion to the woods the following day

(16 Sep 1823) Tuesday. Visiting Henry Briscoe at dawn, 'who, on my making my appearance, said he had waited a long time for me'. Eating breakfast at 6am. Setting out towards the north-east, Briscoe taking his gun and dogs, proving himself a good marksman. 'This is what I might term my first day in America'. Seeing trees of 'astonishing magnitude' growing in the rich, black earth

The soil reddish near Lake Erie [Canada and the United States of America], producing fine crops of Indian corn [flint corn]. For the last years, tobacco being successfully cultivated for the Montreal [Canada] market: 'according as the general opinion goes, it will form an article of great importance to our Canadas [the British colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, known collectively as the Canadas, 1791-1841, comprised Southern Ontario, parts of Northern Ontario, United States of America, and Quebec and Labrador, Canada], and at no distant period'. The woods consisting of several large species of Quercus, Juglans cathartica [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018], Juglans nigra ('immensely large'), Juglans porcina [?Carya glabra or Hicorius porcina] and Fagus ('in dry places'), with a species of Orobanche on its roots. Four miles east of the town seeing a species of rose with 'strong' thorns and wood resembling Rosa multiflora, but the shoots and leaves eaten by cattle or sheep. Collecting seeds of species of Liatris, Helianthus, Aster, Eupatorium and Gentiana crinita [?Gentianopsis crinita] [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants]. Torrential rain in the afternoon, 'urging us to leave the woods drenched in wet'

(17 Sep 1823) Wednesday. Visiting a small island in the Detroit River [Canada and the United States of America], opposite Amherstburg. The island about a mile long and three quarters of a mile at its widest point, low and frequently flooded by water from the upper lakes: 'it appeared to be a spot worthy of notice'. The soil a rich black loam, the island covered with large trees, including Quercus growing to 50-70 feet high. Shooting at the tree to obtain some branches, leaves, specimens, seeds and acorns growing 40 feet above ground: 'they seem to me to be fine, and different from any which I had seen before', with rough bark, lobed leaves and large acorns almost enveloped in the cup. Seeing another large species of Quercus ('not as handsome') and smaller trees on the south end of the island

Collecting plants and seeds of a rose: 'how glad I am to see my rose of yesterday growing in perfection!', with large serrated, veined leaves, no flowers and seed vessels in clusters, growing in rich soil of decayed leaves. Seeing three species of Crataegus ('a beautiful large shrub, or more properly a tree, fully 30 feet high, having a large round top, growing in every part of the island'), Allium ( 'growing under the trees in rich soil, roots small but very acrid, stem 14 inches high, the leaves were dead'), Lonicera ('the leaves were almost yellow, very large, woolly underneath, the wood strong. The birds had devoured all the berries, which prevented me from having it in my power to carry it in that state. I then secured plants of it. All plants grew luxuriantly, but by no means common. I hope it is Caprifolium pubescens [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018] of Hooker; I feel anxious to see them in a garden in London') and Lobelia inflata ('in open places where it was a little wet'). Crossing the river, securing the plants of Rosa and Lonicera and putting away the specimens and seeds

Visiting Henry Briscoe in the evening to get advice for collecting. Briscoe and his friend Robert Richardson, 'MD, physician for the Indian department. Dr R. knew Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine, geophysicist, naturalist and astronomer, brother of Joseph Sabine] when he was at Stamford on the Niagara [Niagara Falls, Ontario]'. Richardson promising to take Douglas in his car [carriage] to Sandwich [Old Sandwich Town, Windsor, Ontario], 15 miles away: 'as there was no time to lose, I proposed to start in the morning'. Leaving Briscoe's house at 10pm

(18 Sep 1823) Thursday. Setting out with Richardson for Sandwich on the east bank of Detroit River. Passing through a forest consisting of Quercus, Acer, Juglans, Fagus and Fraxinus, but no pines, with underwood of Crataegus, Pyrus and Rhus. Collecting seeds of a species of vine with small fruit growing along the river. Passing a swamp four miles long, with Nuphar advena, Nuphar kalmiana [Nuphar microphylla], Eriocaulon ('a small species, and much like our British one on Loch Sligachan, Skye'), Sagittaria sagittifolia ('grew spontaneously') and Nymphaea odorata

Seeing French settlements, with well-cultivated fields divided by fences, and each house with a neat, tasteful garden. The fruit trees cultivated by the settlers including eight or ten varieties of apples ('they are known by black, red, white, etc'), a few pears ('probably the emigrants took them from France at the first settling of the country') and peaches: 'they have not that sickly appearance, which they have in the States, occasioned probably by excess of heat'. The soil near Sandwich a brown loam on gravel. Seeing some fine species of Solidago in flower, but no ripe seeds. Arriving at Sandwich and finding 'many friends of Mr F. Mason [Francis Mason, British naturalist and missionary in the United States]'

(19 Sep 1823) Friday. Visiting a wood four miles north-east of the town. Seeing two species of Quercus ('50 to 60 feet high in sandy peat soil, the leaves lobed, fruit small, cup covered with scales'), Chelone glabra var. alba [Chelone glabra] ('a fine plant. It had no seeds, I therefore took plants'), Phlox ('18 inches high, leaves linear, opposite, and having flower large in proportion to the plant; soil, sandy peat or nearly all sand. I was much pleased with this. It had no seeds. I of course took plants'), a species of Gerardia ('looked like Gerardia quercifolia [Aureolaria virginica], plenty of seeds, but no flower. I wish they may grow') and three species of Liatris [here the journal includes a list of 7 more plants]

(20 Sep 1823) Saturday. Hiring a car [carriage] and a man early in the morning. Setting out slowly along the riverside, picking 'anything, which presented itself'. After 12 miles of well-cultivated country, encountering a morass about two miles long, and a sand passage along Lake St Clair [Ontario, Canada and Michigan, United States of America]: '[it] rendered the horse so weak that I had to stop for a day. I was glad to do so, as there seemed to be a good field'

Setting off with 'the man I had taken with me'. Finding three species of Crataegus in rich soil near the lake, Euonymus ('in rich soil, from 40 to 60 feet high, not of great thickness') and two species of Quercus ('soil black, rich, so like one on the island of Amherstburg, but not so deeply lobed. Fruit very large, mossy cup and fringed. From 40 to 60 feet in height, 2 feet to 2.5 thick')

'During my day's labour I had the misfortune to meet with a circumstance which I must record as it concerns not only my business, but also my personal affairs'. Taking off his coat and climbing up the tree, in an attempt to collect seeds and specimens of Quercus: 'I had not been above five minutes up, when to my surprise the man whom I hired as guide and assistant, took up my coat and made off as fast as he could run with it'. Descending 'almost headlong' and chasing the man, but unsuccessfully. Losing notes and 'some receipt of money, nineteen dollars in paper, a copy of Persoon's 'Synopsis plantarum' [Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, 'Synopsis plantarum', 1805-1807], with my small vasculum [container for collecting plants]'. Being five miles from the carriage 'in a miserable condition, and as there was no remedy that could be taken to better myself, I tied my seeds in my neck cloth and made to my lodging'. Hiring a man to take him back to Sandwich [Old Sandwich Town], 'as I could not drive, and the horse only understanding the French language, and I could not talk to him in his tongue, placed me in an awkward situation'. Finding no tailor to make a new coat and so having to borrow one. Remonstrating in Sandwich about the hired man, 'however I found my guide was a runaway Virginian [slave]'

(21 Sep 1823) Sunday. Staying in Sandwich [Old Sandwich Town] and returning to Amherstburg the following day

(23 Sep 1823) Tuesday. Crossing the river to Michigan Territory [United States of America]. Finding several species of Liatris, Smilax ('of a curious appearance'), a species of Elymus, Botrychium ('in a dry part of the wood among dead leaves') and Pothos foetidus [Symplocarpus foetidus] [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants], but not seeing Sarracenia or Trillium. Seeing in the neighbourhood a cultivated rose, possibly Rosa pendulina of Pursh [Frederick Traugott Pursh], 'which he suspects to be of European origin', and being informed that the plant was taken to Canada by French settlers

Henry Briscoe 'received orders' to go to Kingston [?Ontario, Canada or New Jersey] by the first steamboat, 'which news sealed my disappointments: first a long passage, the loss of my coat and money, bad weather - all these combined made me glad to relinquish the idea of Canada at such a late period of the season. It certainly is a fine field, and would afford an abundant harvest'







(24 Sep 1823) Wednesday. Rain until 4pm. Going for a short walk down the river towards the lake. Seeing a tall Quercus on the shore of Lake Erie. Finding two other species in a field on the return journey, one a small tree, in wet, poor soil, the other larger, in light brown loam. Collecting several Liatris ('tall, colour bright red, almost scarlet') and a Lilium canadense in sandy peat soil: 'I here gathered a promiscuous group of several things, but my time is so short that I cannot insert them'

(25 Sep 1823) Thursday. Packing plants, seeds and specimens. Travelling in the afternoon on a steamboat from Detroit [Michigan, United States of America] with Henry Briscoe and his family, with tempestuous winds the whole journey. Reaching Buffalo towards midnight on 28 Sep, with one of the wheels of the boat having been swept away

(29 Sep 1823) Monday. Writing to Joseph Sabine. Setting out at 10am with Henry Briscoe for Niagara [Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and New York, United States of America], crossing over to the Canadian side after two miles. The weather very cold with snow showers. Having difficulties reaching the Canadian side in the westerly winds. The soil along the river a rich, black and brown loam. Travelling slowly and stopping frequently. Passing a wood consisting mainly of Ulmus, rare in many other places. Seeing Crataegus growing along the river, and Euonymus and Hamamelis in blossom: 'it had a fine appearance, being destitute of leaves and with abundance of fruit'

Oliver Forward suggesting Douglas visit Mr Clark's [unidentified] large apple orchard six miles from the falls, containing 12 or 14 varieties of apples and a crop of Indian corn [flint corn]. Clark obtaining his fruits from New York: 'he had only two different pears, and they were both bad', peaches with healthy, un-pruned trees, and three varieties of plum, Magnum Bonum ('or egg plum, as he called it'), Blue Orleans and Washington, with some new European vines, including Black Prince and Hamburgh. Arriving at Niagara Falls at 5pm

(30 Sep 1823) Tuesday [crossed out: 'Monday']. Going to Niagara Falls before dawn: 'I am, like most who have seen them, sensitively impressed with their grandeur'. Seeing red cedar, Juglans amara [Carya cordiformis] and Quercus growing out of the rock cliffs. Collecting an Astragalus and a Viola, both in seed, the Viola growing in sand with seed-pods buried in it

Crossing over to the American side and to Goat Island [New York], partly covered with large woods, with partly rich and partly sandy and gravelly soil. Seeing Acer saccharinum, the sugar maple ('they had all been tapped or bled, and still seemed uncommonly vigorous'), some species of pines but no cones, two species of Orobanche ('in dry places among leaves'), Arum triphyllum [Arisaema triphyllum] and Rhus vernix [here the journal includes a list of 6 more plants], with 'very good limestone and a good kind of gypsum' on the south side of the island

(1 Oct 1823) Wednesday [crossed out: 'Tuesday']. Crossing the river four miles down, 'where is great diversity of soil'. Seeing opposite 'what is called the Whirlpool [Niagara Whirlpool]' three species of Quercus growing on barren rocks, with narrow, serrated leaves and small, olive-shaped acorns: 'they are certainly different from any in my possession'. Finding among the roots in rock crevices Pteris atropurpurea [Pellaea atropurpurea], Asplenium and Polypodium

Returning to the inn and discovering that Henry Briscoe was leaving in the afternoon. Being anxious to return to New York due to the bad weather and the approaching winter. Setting out, passing Stamford, where Edward Sabine used to live. The country variable, with beautiful 'rising eminences'. Reaching Queenston [Ontario] at 4pm and parting from Briscoe: 'I am under great obligations to this gentleman'. Crossing the river at Queenston for Lewiston [New York] on the way to Lockport [New York]. Packing plants in a box before going to bed

(2 Oct 1823) Thursday [crossed out: 'Wednesday'. The journal reads 'Sep 3']. Setting off at 4am for Bucks [unidentified] and arriving at 7am. Leaving the stage [stagecoach] and going four miles into the country to Lockport to visit David Thomas, chief engineer at a part of the Erie Canal [New York]: 'Governor Clinton [DeWitt Clinton] spoke of him in the highest terms of respect'. Thomas ('a gentleman of great attainments') being considered 'in America' a prominent mineralogist, with knowledge of birds and botany. Walking with him along the canal to see the building works

(3 Oct 1823) Friday [the journal reads '4th'. Crossed out: '& 5th September 1823']. Visiting beech woods north of Lockport with David Thomas ('who kindly offered me the 'use of his person', as he said'). Collecting plants, including Corallorhiza ('one like innata [Corallorhiza trifida] of Britain, the other a small one. I secured plants of them. The soil was dead leaves, very dry'), Cypripedium ('in a swamp [...] on high tufts of decayed grass'), Hydrophyllum virginicum [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018] and Hydrophyllum canadense ('I know it is called a salad, but on the loss of my coat at Lake St Clair I lost my note of it; I have tasted it cooked, it is good when dressed as spinach') and an Orchid ('on a decayed root of pine [...], very curious, two narrow leaves, ovate, and acute at the point, of a reddish colour and black warted. This is certainly not a plentiful plant. On my taking it up, Mr Thomas observed that he had only seen it once before') [here the journal includes a list of 11 more plants]

Packing and preparing to return to Bucks to catch the stage [stagecoach]. Leaving Lockport at 4pm and reaching Bucks at 6pm. Staying overnight

(4 Oct 1823) Saturday. Taking a stage [stagecoach] to Rochester to catch a canal boat. The route for 15 miles being through an unpleasant swamp, with 'trees laid crossways [a corduroy or log road]'. Some of the country clear and well-cultivated

(5 Oct 1823) Sunday [the journal reads '5th Sep']. Visiting the Falls of the Genesee River [High Falls, Rochester] in the morning, a mile from Rochester. Leaving at 9am for Utica by canal boat. The forests beautiful, with 'all the tints imaginable'

Arriving at Utica at 9am on 7 Oct. Visiting Alexander Coventry [physician in Utica], MD, a friend of DeWitt Clinton, but not finding him at home. Leaving Utica at 11am by canal boat for Little Falls, then taking a stage [stagecoach] for Albany. Sleeping at Palatine [New York] on the way and continuing the journey at 4am the following morning: 'from cold I was seized with rheumatism in my knees, which alarmed me a little'

Arriving at Albany at 2pm. The town 'all in an uproar' due to a celebration of the opening of the Western Canal [Erie Canal], with music and guns being fired. Not being able to see Clinton. Having difficulties in getting lodgings at the inn. Unpacking, arranging and putting seeds in fresh paper

(9 Oct 1823) Thursday. At 6am, meeting David Hosack, who had come to Albany for the celebrations the previous day. Visiting the governor [DeWitt Clinton] after breakfast. Being received kindly, but Clinton, occupied with his duties, suggesting Douglas spend the day in the neighbourhood and inviting him back in the evening

Having been informed in Lockport by David Thomas ('from whom I had much valuable information'), that Pterospora andromedea grew near Albany, setting out to visit 'every place which was likely for it'. Managing to find it after seven hours' search, in a small ravine two miles south of the town. Seeing Pinus alba [Picea glauca] by a small rivulet, with the Pterospora under its branches, ten feet above the water, in light blackish-brown loam, too dry for other plants. Being uncertain as to whether the plant was annual or perennial. If Mr Nuttall's [Thomas Nuttall, British botanist, who studied plants in North America in 1808-1841] description was correct, the plant would grow 14-24 inches high. The plant not in flower due to the season, but with 'a rusty stem covered with a glutinous substance. I counted 97 capsules on one stem. How glad Mr Munroe [Donald Munro] and Mr Lindley [John Lindley, assistant secretary of the Horticultural Society of London] would be to see it'. The root resembling Corallorhiza innata [Corallorhiza trifida], but smaller, seeming to be a parasite like Monotropa or Orobanche. On the north side of the valley, finding the plant in a different environment, out of the sun, in stiff, wet soil and covered with Hypericum and Jungermannia. Being certain the plant had potential for cultivation. Clinton suggesting that Mr Tracy [unidentified], 'a gentleman [...] very fond of botany', may have more information about the plant. Intending to sow seeds of it the following morning

(10 Oct 1823) Friday. Visiting Mr Tracy. Seeing his extensive and well-preserved herbarium, arranged according to the Linnean system. Tracy having acquired Pterospora through a friend, who ('fond of plants, but possessed no knowledge of botany') had found it in nearby woods and planted it in his garden. The plant thriving throughout the summer, reappearing the following years, 'equally vigorous', flowering and ripening seeds: 'this information made me stare'. Returning to search for more plants, but finding only one which appeared to be a perennial: 'however this had not flowered, therefore it is not perennial, but either biennial or annual'. Tracy taking Douglas to see his friend's plants, but finding the roots dead, the plant having been moved. The soil a light loam at the foot of a north-facing wall. 'Did it rise from seed' [annotated by Douglas: 'Yes. D.D.']

Going to search for Erythronium, found on the Missouri [Missouri River, United States of America] by Thomas Nuttall, having heard that the plant had since been found 12 miles from Albany: 'on our arriving at the spot, we had the mortification to look at the spot but unable to get to it', being in the middle of a large swamp lately inundated by the rains. Tracy promising to send the plants to Thomas Hogg for the New York Horticultural Society the following year. Seeing in a wood near the city, in light red soil, a species of Corallorhiza, Pyrola maculata [Chimaphila maculata], Pyrola umbellata [Chimaphila umbellata], Pyrola secunda [Orthilia secunda], a small species of annual Polygala, Epigae repens growing in dry places and a Quercus ('a stately tree almost everywhere, foliage large and entire, fruit small and yellow', growing in rocky soil, the trees covered with pigeons pecking on the fruit)

Visiting Stephen van Ransaleer [Stephen van Rensselaer III, landowner, businessman and politician in New York], 'the most wealthy man in the United States'. Seeing his large garden, orchards and fine hothouses filled mainly with vines, with the grapes cut and hung in a fruit room. Van Rensselaer, of Dutch origin, receiving fruits from his European friends, including Black Prince, Hamburgh, White Sweet Water, Grizzly Frontignan and Malmsey: 'no attention is paid to the native vines of North America'. Von Rensselaer's apples and pears 'much the same as at New York and Philadelphia', but his plums thriving. A large space in the garden occupied by a pleasure or flower garden, 'a novelty in America, as little attention is paid to anything but what brings money or luxury for the table'. The flower garden managed by his daughters 'with much taste', with roses from France, herbaceous plants from Germany and annuals from London. Douglas presenting his letter of introduction from DeWitt Clinton. 'Mr van Ransaleer [Rensselaer] is a man of taste. He used me with kindness, and invited me to breakfast, should I make it convenient'

(11 Oct 1823) Saturday. Setting off early in the morning to visit Jesse Bull, 'formerly printer for the state of New York' and a friend of DeWitt Clinton. Having retired 'with an ample fortune', Bull having engaged in farming and gardening, and skilful in both: 'his garden is yet in infancy, but laid out with taste and utility'. The farm large and divided by hedges of Crataegus oxyacantha [?Crataegus rhipidophylla] from Britain: 'hedging is a thing unknown in a general sense'. Due to Douglas's limited time, Bull offering to send him 'some things' to New York, and being kind and affable during their short acquaintance

Visiting Paul Clark [owner of a tavern and an orchard, a founding member of Albany Horticultural Society] on the way to Albany and seeing Columba migratoria [passenger pigeon] 'in a domesticated state'. Visiting Clinton, who promised to see Douglas in New York, giving him a letter of introduction to James Thomson of Elerslie, 'at whose house I was already used very politely, unknown to Mr Clinton'. Thanking Clinton for his interest in 'the furtherance of the Society's views'. Going on board a steamboat and arriving at the house of General Morgan Lewis at 10pm

(12 Oct 1823) Sunday. 'General Lewis in his country stands, very justly, high; his house is open and frequented by all denominations of people, and particularly by foreigners'. Going to church

(13-16 Oct 1823) Becoming 'lame' for two days due to rheumatism in his knees: 'I can never forget the attention paid to me by General Lewis and family. On Wednesday and Thursday, I was able to crawl about a little'

Going with Lewis to see his estate with 'all the newest modes of tillage, and many of the newest and most improved implements'. The garden comprising about two 'English acres', of a light gravelly soil, with fine apples and pears, although the peaches less successful than elsewhere. Grapes planted in October, by digging in well-fermented dung, the grapes laid on the surface and lightly covered. Some of the grapes trained on espaliers, some on poles. Grapes unsuccessful on south-facing walls, possibly due to heat. Seeing a Quercus ('tree tall but not thick, soil rich, black loam; fruit very long – Quercus castanea, I think. The squirrels eat the fruit of this sort with eagerness; I am informed they prefer them before any sort of nuts, Corylus excepted') and two species of pine, one resembling Pinus sylvestris, the other Pinus larix [Larix decidua]. Nuts of Juglans porcina [?Carya glabra or Hicorius porcina] providing good fuel, with trees 20-40 feet high: 'the wood is not considered of any value'. Seeing two species of Koeskatoma nuts ('alba?' [Carya alba]), seemingly a distinct variety or a species, with a thin shell, large kernel and 'well tasted', Lewis saying they only grew in one other place, near Catskill [Catskill Mountains, New York, United States of America], east of the Allegany Mountains [Allegheny Mountains, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, United States of America]. The trees 60 feet high, with hard wood, excellent in fences and used in farm work. Seeing another variety of Juglans, with smaller and longer fruit and larger husks. Quercus castanea common, perhaps due to the richness of the soil. Receiving two plants of 'Juglans alba(?)', raised from nuts, some Indian corn [flint corn] and a honeysuckle. Lewis taking Douglas to his friend and neighbour James Thomson, for whom Douglas had a letter of introduction from DeWitt Clinton

(17 Oct 1823) Friday. Remembering being treated very kindly by Eliza Thomson and her son ('who is much attached to mineralogy and painting') in James Thomson's absence. Morgan Lewis returning home in the afternoon

(18 Oct 1823) The Thomson estate comprising about 600 'English acres' of rich soil, and about 200 acres of wood, with fields divided by four-foot walls: 'in clearing his ground he has left a few choice oaks, which form a pleasing prospect, and give the place an English appearance'. Considering Thomson's garden and orchard to be fine, with peaches and small fruit growing in dry light soil ('in a fine state of health and not affected with disease, as is the case in most places'), kitchen vegetables including carrots ('very fine'), beets, parsnip and celery ('of the first quality'). The orchard being young but healthy: 'one fruit (an apple) Mr Thomson observed in his wood self-sown, and after being grafted, proved a fine fruit. It is not a large one, but fine quality, something like Lady Apple'). Receiving two trees of this, one of Lady Apple and two Aesculus and another species from Ohio [United States of America]

Seeing in the woods Lycopodium dendroideum, Lycopodium complanatum, Pteris atropurpurea [Pellaea atropurpurea], 'Polypodium ilvense(?)' [Woodsia ilvensis] ('I thought it to be Cheilanthes vestita [Cheilanthes lanosa]'), Gerardia flava [Aureolaria flava] ('on examining it more closely it proved to be Gerardia pedicularia [Aureolaria pedicularia]'), Pyrola maculata [Chimaphila maculata] and Pyrola umbellata [Chimaphila umbellata]. Collecting seeds and plants. Packing plants in the afternoon and boarding the steamboat Chancellor Livingstone ('celebrated for magnitude and elegance'). Arriving at Newport after nine hours, at 5am on Sunday

(19 Oct 1823) Sunday. Visiting David Hosack at 8am, 'after getting to my lodging with all that I could carry of my little gleanings'. Visiting Thomas Hogg after breakfast to arrange the unpacking of plants. Dining and going to church in the afternoon

(20 Oct 1823) Taking packages [of plants] from the wharf to Thomas Hogg and unpacking the plants



(21 Oct 1823) Tuesday. Going to Flushing in the morning to make arrangements with William Prince 'as to taking up the trees'. Returning in the evening

(22 Oct 1823) Wednesday. Spending all day at Thomas Hogg's, arranging and securing the plants: 'I feel very sorry to find the rose from Amherstburg [is] rubifolia [Rosa rubifolia, identification unresolved as at Aug 2018]', but being consoled by finding Lonicera and the majority of the plants in good order

(23 Oct 1823) Thursday. Changing seed and specimen papers. Writing a letter to Joseph Sabine. Visiting Mr Thorburn [unidentified] 'for the purpose of getting ready his parcel'

(24 Oct 1823) Friday. 'Today was devoted with Mr Floy [Michael Floy], who has all along manifested an unremitting desire to be useful to the Society'. Attending a meeting of the Horticultural Society of New York in the evening: 'I cannot refrain from mentioning the great exertions, which most of the efficient members have made in communicating anything worthy of notice. I feel glad to see it in such a state of perfection'. Many prominent inhabitants having become members, including DeWitt Clinton, David Hosack, Morgan Lewis and the mayor [Stephen Allen, mayor of New York 1821-1824]. Being the first such society in the United States, not having the advantage of others to co-operate with. The president, Martin Hoffman, 'a very worthy, respectable gentleman', with limited knowledge of gardening, but taking 'a very spirited interest in promoting the science'. Thomas Hogg, Michael Floy and William Wilson 'the chief practical members'. Plants exhibited including beet ('indeed as fine as I ever saw'), carrots ('very fine'), broccoli ('very good') and Spanish tobacco ('fine specimens'), seeds of the latter being offered for Douglas to take back to the Society. Douglas pleased with the meeting, apart from the European grapes presented: 'they were considered good for America, but in my opinion were very inferior to what are to be seen in England'

(25 Oct 1823) Saturday. Writing to William Coxe and William Dick in Philadelphia. Arranging specimens and seeds. Going to Michael Floy's to take up plants. Going to Flatbush on Long Island [Brooklyn, New York, United States of America] at midday. Returning late at night

(26 Oct 1823) Sunday. Correcting lists prior to leaving for Philadelphia. A cold, wintry day. DeWitt Clinton dining at David Hosack's, with Douglas invited after dinner. Walking to Thomas Hogg's: 'got to town after projecting [planning] a trip to Jersey [New Jersey, United States of America] in the morning'

(27-28 Oct 1823) Monday and Tuesday. Meeting Thomas Hogg at 5am. Crossing the Hudson River to New Jersey [United States of America] to search for Sarracenia purpurea. The morning 'fine and inviting', but torrential rain forcing them to take shelter before reaching their destination. Continuing the journey at midday on Tuesday: 'looking on the face of the country, [we] beheld it deluged'

Concluding the plant was unobtainable and going to a nearby wood instead: 'we were amply repaid'. Finding Neottia repens [?Goodyeara pubescens] 'in great profusion' in a cedar swamp, with moderately dry soil composed of decayed leaves and cedar branches, but the ground soft: 'by setting our feet on the ground we soon sank'. Collecting many plants, including Vaccinium hispidulum [Gaultheria hispidula], seeds of Rhododendron maximum ('immensely large, fully 17 or 20 feet high'), Kalmia latifolia ('also vigorous'), Rhus vernix and a climbing species, with some Smilax, twined around the trees. Seeing Gerardia quercifolia [Aureolaria virginica] on a high piece of dry ground: 'what I took from Canada of this having failed, and recollecting the difficulty of raising it from seed, without hesitation or reserve I secured many sets of seeds and plants'. Returning at 6pm, 'congratulating ourselves on having been more fortunate than we expected' [here the journal includes a rough drawing of a flower]

(29 Oct 1823) Wednesday. Visiting Mr Kennedy [David S. Kennedy, merchant in New York] to obtain some money. Setting out for Philadelphia. Reaching Brunswick [?New Brunswick] at 4pm. Arriving at 9pm by a stage [stagecoach] to Trenton

(30 Oct 1823) Thursday. Leaving Trenton at 5am and arriving at Burlington at 9am. Visiting Mr Smith [Daniel Smith, nurseryman in New Jersey]: 'proceeded to take up the trees'. Visiting William Coxe in the evening, but finding him 'so ill that he was by his medical attendant considered in danger'

(31 Oct 1823) Finishing with the trees and seeing them packed by 11am. Going to search for Epigaea repens ('which failed me in the summer'), growing in light sandy loam. Finding in the same place a species of Helonias, a species of Gentiana, willow-leaved oak, Quercus obtusiloba [Quercus stellata] ('beautiful foliage and fine clusters of fruit') and Quercus triloba [Quercus falcata]. Carrying the plants back to the tavern and packing them. Taking a steamboat at 6pm and arriving at Philadelphia at 9pm. The night cold and rainy, with a slight frost in the morning

(1 Nov 1823) Saturday. Visiting William Dick, janitor at the University of Philadelphia, having already received 'sufficient testimony of his ability and will to make himself useful to me'. Having the pleasure of meeting Thomas Nuttall, 'whom I found very communicative'. Looking around Dick's garden. Setting out at midday with Dick to Messrs Landreth's, 'to whom I am also much indebted for very polite attention. There is a great similarity of character between Messrs Loddiges [Loddiges nursery in Hackney, London] and Landreth'. Being pleased to see Maclura aurantiaca [Maclura pomifera], although injured a little by the frost

Seeing a variety of barberry, described by Nuttall as a variety of Berberis canadensis: 'he tells me that some alteration is necessary in that tribe of plants, for no species of Berberis are indigenous to America, except aquifolium [Berberis aquifolium] and nervosa [Berberis nervosa, identification unresolved as at Sep 2018] and this one. Mr Landreth's Berberis is, according to Mr Nuttall, a new species, and a good one. See Nuttall's 'Genera' [Thomas Nuttall, 'The genera of North American plants', 1818]'. Landreth having obtained the plant from his friend, Mr John Fraser [Scottish botanist, who died in 1811] from his western travels, possibly from the mountains of Carolina [?South Carolina, United States of America], but Fraser not having sent any to England

Seeing a species of Gentiana, collected by Nuttall on the Missouri [Missouri River, United States of America], with ovate, shining leaves and a large greenish-yellow flower, Rhododendron arboreum, several species of Erica, Mesembryanthemum and Stapelia from England: 'on the whole this is the finest collection of exotics in America'. Visiting Zaccheus Collins in the evening, 'a gentleman of high standing as a mineralogist in that quarter'

(2 Nov 1823) Sunday. Going to search for Nelumbium luteum or Cyamus luteum [Nelumbo lutea], having seen it in flower in August. Attempting to dig up roots: 'I am very sorry to say could not effect this as the roots run to an immense depth'. Collecting 10 or 11 seeds, hoping they would grow, John Bartram having tried repeatedly but unsuccessfully to transplant it. Hamilton of Woodlands [Philadelphia] having been the only one successful in growing the plants, by planting them on the muddy banks of Schuylkill [Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania, United States of America]. According to Thomas Nuttall, the plant grew stronger in St Louis [Missouri, United States of America] on the Mississippi [Mississippi River], producing knobs or tubers at the root, 'greedily sought after by the natives. They are washed, boiled, and then beat up with butter or grease. He also informs me that when in that quarter, he frequently had a dish of them and thinks them good'. Douglas attempting to find tubers, but the roots running too far down in the mud to be dug up

Visiting William Dick in the afternoon: 'his seed cabinet had a portion of everything which I conceived might be useful or interesting to the Society. This gentleman would make a very useful corresponding member. He has the friendship of all American travellers. Major Long [Stephen Harriman Long, who explored the Rocky Mountains] has contributed to him largely in 1822, and is now just returning from an interesting spot; his expectations I hope will not be disappointed'

(3 Nov 1823) Monday. Setting out with Thomas Nuttall to the house of the late John Bartram: 'his niece [Ann Bartram Carr, botanist and gardener in Philadelphia, granddaughter of John Bartram and niece of John's son William Bartram] is a considerable botanist, and draws well. Mr Carr [Robert Carr, colonel in the United States Army], to whom she is married, has but a moderate share of knowledge; this deficiency, however, is made up by his pleasing manner'. Seeing a large cypress in front of the house, 90 feet high and 23 feet 'round', planted by the first John Bartram: 'his son William (the late) [William Bartram, naturalist in Philadelphia] held the tree while his father put the earth round; it is 85 years old'. Seeing a small pond at the foot of the tree, with 'many little and valuable treasures', but now 'in deplorable state'. Enquiring after Quercus heterophylla, but finding it had been cut down by mistake by a servant 'of the person on whose estate it grew': 'Mr Bartram was not reconciled about it so long as he lived'

Quercus lyrata from Georgia [United States of America] and Quercus macrocarpa from the Allegany [Allegheny Mountains, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, United States of America] growing well: 'I now feel happy, [I] think some of my specimens from Canada and Michigan [United States of America] are fine'. Collecting seeds of Andromeda arborea [?Oxydendrum arboreum] by the pond, 40-45 feet high and 19 inches around, full of seeds, having been covered in flowers in the summer, growing in light, damp or moist soil. John Bartram had attempted for forty years to grow it from seed, unsuccessfully until the present season, 'when he had the gratification of transplanting an abundance of them in small boxes two days before he died'. Receiving a small box with about 12 plants, on the condition that half of them be given to Mr George Loddiges [botanist and nurseryman in Hackney, London]

Seeing fine specimens of Magnolia auriculata [Magnolia fraseri], Magnolia cordata [Magnolia acuminata, var.subcordata], Magnolia macrophylla, Magnolia tripetala and Magnolia grandiflora, miniature compared to the ones at Chelsea Botanical Gardens or Kew Gardens in England. Seeing two roses from Missouri [United States of America] ('I wish they were propagated. Perfectly hardy') and Sagittaria sagittifolia 'Flore pleno' ('I recollect being told of it by Mr Loddiges, when I was at Hackney a few days before leaving London. I could not get any of the tubers at the root: otherwise useless'). Collecting three species of oaks growing in rocky soil in the woods and being shown by Nuttall Asplenium rhizophyllum [Asplenium radicans] growing on a rock on the return journey, four miles from Philadelphia

Visiting Messrs Landreth and obtaining trees with two species of Phlox from Georgia ('Mr Fraser [John Fraser]'), several species of roses, including Champneys and Cherokee and two fruits of Maclura ('I shall pack in charcoal'). Landreth offering to 'do anything in his power for the Society', sending his regards to Mr Richard Williams of Turnham Green [nurseryman in Turnham Green Nursery, London]. Returning to town at 10pm. Putting seeds away

(4-5 Nov 1823) Tuesday. Going to William Dick's house in the morning. Packing and sending items to the wharf. Not being able to pack several species of Cactus from the Rocky Mountains [Canada and United States of America], the plants being too small for the voyage across the Atlantic: 'all the seeds of them were sown, I am sorry to know that I cannot get any Dionaea muscipula, Mr Dick's friend having died'

Leaving Philadelphia at 12pm and reaching Burlington at 4pm. Visiting William Coxe, still very ill, but better than last time. Collecting two species of Euphorbia ('those which I took in summer having failed'), Rhexia virginica ('seeds'), Rubus cuneifolius ('a handsome plant. Fruit large and has a fine flavour, produces fruit in great abundance') and two other species of Rubus ('larger leaves and serrated, fruit red, hard, and dry even when ripe' and 'small, creeping') growing on dry light loam ('poor Mr Coxe observes that they bear better fruit in that soil than in rich'). Collecting seeds of Monadra punctata growing in dry, light, sandy soil, and Quercus ferruginea [Quercus marilandica], a small tree about 30 feet high ('a singular and beautiful specimen')

Receiving one plant of double Pennsylvanian rose ('originated in that state, which is all the history I could get') and two species of Phlox from the southern states, one of them 'the largest flowered specimen, which I have seen, of a deep rose colour, about 2.5 feet high', growing in light, dry soil, planted along the centre walk in the garden with 'a fine effect'. Receiving two specimens of Indian corn [flint corn]. 'I regret much to mention my disappointment of the apples', with Coxe too ill to leave his room, and Douglas suspecting he would not live much longer: 'I obtained all that was in the house, consisting of about eight or nine varieties, and only two or three of each, with two bottles of cider seven years old', one made from Wine-sop [Sops of Wine], the other from Virginian crab-apple [Virginia crab], presents from Coxe to Thomas A. Knight [Thomas Andrew Knight, president of the Horticultural Society of London] and Joseph Sabine. Receiving some seeds of ornamental plants: 'I received from him and his family all the attention they could give under the present circumstances'. Having no time to visit Daniel Smith

Leaving Burlington at 2pm by steamboat for Bordentown and then by stage [stagecoach] to South Amboy [New Jersey]. The night 'exceedingly dark and rainy'. The coach breaking down at 11pm and the repairs taking two hours, so reaching South Amboy at 4am: 'this is a specimen of great speed - twenty-nine miles in thirteen hours'

(6 Nov 1823) Thursday. Leaving South Amboy at 5am, arriving at New York at 11am. Transporting the trees to Thomas Hogg. Ordering boxes in which to pack them

(7 Nov 1823) Finishing transporting Michael Floy's trees

(8 Nov 1823) Writing to Joseph Sabine. Packing in the afternoon

(9 Nov 1823) Sunday. Breakfasting with David Hosack, 'as usual on Sundays'. Packing seeds. Visiting Thomas Hogg in the evening

(10-11 Nov 1823) Monday and Tuesday. Crossing the Hudson River again with Thomas Hogg, having earlier been unsuccessful in obtaining Sarracenia. Hiring a car [carriage], and driving and walking alternately. Having difficulties in crossing the large swamp: 'Mr Hogg led the way, when suddenly he went down to the middle in mud'. Managing to reach the plants 'after some difficulty and all besmeared with filth'. Carrying them for two miles across the swamp, but not being able to collect enough plants before dark: 'in the evening we sat by the fireside talking of our day's proceedings. We have now set out again'. Having obtained enough plants by 10am the following day, proceeding 'after something else'

Finding Lycopodium dendroideum in dry sandy peat west of Hoboken swamp [New Jersey, United States of America], growing with Adiantum pedatum. Finding a creeping species of Lycopodium in a slightly damp hollow, and on the outskirts of the woods some ferns killed by the frost. 'In the bustle of our proceedings, lost the whip, for which the man extorted two dollars, in consequence of it being a favourite whip'. Collecting Asplenium ebeneum [Asplenium platyneuron], Aster ('both small flowers, blue') and Solidago ('small flower, yellow') on the rocks of the Hudson, seven miles from New York. Finding Neottia pubescens [Goodyeara pubescens] growing on brown loam ('I wish I could find some more of it'), Pothos foetidus [Symplocarpus foetidus] ('the difficulty in taking it up'), and Orontium aquaticum. Returning home: 'stand now dry and comfortable, a state we required after such undertaking'

(12 Nov 1823) Receiving a letter from Joseph Sabine, dated 5 Oct, accompanied by lists [of plants to be acquired]. Writing 'without delay' to Messrs Landreth and Daniel Smith, and visiting Michael Floy: 'Mr Hogg [Thomas Hogg] then went to Flushing and returned in the evening. I must observe that Mr Prince Junior [William Prince] did not receive us with kindness, but the reverse. If I can but obtain all the plants for the Society, I shall leave him for some other person'

(13 Nov 1823) Thursday. Writing a thank you letter to William Dick in Philadelphia. Packing Michael Floy's and William Wilson's boxes

(14 Nov 1823) Going to the vegetable market in the morning. Seeing celery ('fine, just like such as is to be seen in England, but raised at much less expense'), broccoli ('inferior to European; I am told by many, cauliflower nor broccoli are not so good as in Britain'), carrot and beet ('very fine'), turnip ('very small, and not of first quality'), potato ('the worst vegetable in the market'), onion and leek ('in Canada I tasted some very excellent onions, here they are fine'). Being unable to compare the market with Covent Garden [London, United Kingdom], not having had many opportunities to see it: 'I question much if those more capable of judging would have any reluctance in pronouncing equal, in proportion to the town, to Covent Garden'. The fruits abundant and fine, but 'to speak candidly, I think much exaggerated', with people saying the previous year was better. European and indigenous nuts plentiful, with pineapples and coconuts from the West Indies. Vegetables not as cheap as Douglas had expected. Packing in the afternoon

(15 Nov 1823) Packing at Thomas Hogg's

(16 Nov 1823) Writing to Joseph Sabine. 'Among specimens in the forenoon'. Dining with David Hosack. Visiting Thomas Hogg in the afternoon

(17 Nov 1823) Monday. Going to Flushing to dig up some of the trees, but being unable to finish, 'as Mr Prince [William Prince] has not all the plants which are ardently needed. Many times he expressed himself pleased with the Society, and is to put up a collection of fruits, which will be an acquisition, especially as I have almost failed with Coxe'. Being pleased to receive Berberis aquifolium

(18-22 Nov 1823) Packing plants. Taking some boxes on board the ship

(23 Nov 1823) Sunday. Writing to Joseph Sabine. Finishing 'putting up' dried plants. Going to church in the afternoon

(24 Nov 1823) Monday. 'I am happy to hear from Messrs Landreth and Smith [Daniel Smith] as to the plants', with Mr Landreth [David Landreth, owner of the Landreth seed company] being particularly kind: 'he is certainly an attentive and punctual man [...] I cannot but say that I am once more pleased'. Taking some packages on board the ship

(26 Nov 1823) Receiving trees from Philadelphia and Burlington. Taking them to the wharf and ordering boxes for them: 'I now feel a little at ease'

(27 Nov 1823) Thursday. Packing the remaining trees and taking them and a 'box from Baltimore [Maryland, United States of America]' down to the ship

(29 Nov 1823) Receiving boxes from Flushing and transmitting them on board the ship. Packing. Visiting Thomas Hogg

(30 Nov 1823) Accompanying Thomas Hogg to the countryside with some of his friends

(1-4 Dec 1823) Finishing packing and taking boxes on board on 5 Dec

[Here there is an annotation by the editors of the 1914 transcription: 'Printer, NB. These pages not to be set up, but returned with other MS & proof']

Going to Flushing: 'our words were not of the most amicable tenor, and I am sorry to say that I must leave America without having good feeling towards every person; and the conduct towards the Society of Mr Prince [William Prince] is by no means laudable, and towards myself most infamous'. Everyone else he encountered ('in fact every person except Prince') had been kind and hospitable, including Mr Kennedy ('Mr Maitland [David Kennedy and William Maitland, merchants in New York] I never saw, he lives at Norfolk [?Virginia, United States of America]'), Thomas Hogg ('I need not say anything of Mr Hogg, his ability and willingness are well known to the Society'), Michael Floy and William Wilson,. 'This gentleman [Prince] is now such as becomes the Society to withhold the correspondence. The feelings of Dr Hosack [David Hosack] are already known. I cannot but say, at all times and in all cases, I found his very philanthropic mind unchanged, and his advice as to my own comfort[?]. My feelings will never I hope, in any instance, speak but with gratitude of Governor Clinton [DeWitt Clinton]. I can say nothing more than that Dr Hosack is a Clinton, and Clinton a Hosack'

(8 Dec 1823) Monday. Paying William Prince's bill and settling his accounts with David Kennedy

(9 Dec 1823) Expecting to sail the following morning: 'I had my pigeons, ducks and quail on board'. Spending the last day with David Hosack, with a large party of friends, 'who kept mirth up till a late hour in the evening'. Morgan Lewis visiting, having come to town for the season, inviting Douglas to visit if he did not sail

(10 Dec 1823) Waiting on the wharf until 12pm: 'I had the mortification to return'. Visiting Morgan Lewis and being received with kindness. Leaving David Hosack at 7pm. Thomas Hogg seeing Douglas to the small boat, the ship 'having hauled out before dark. Ship Nimrod'

(12 Dec 1823) Sailing at dawn. Frosty, with a pleasant, fresh breeze. Sending a letter on shore to David Hosack and DeWitt Clinton by the pilot. Losing sight of Long Island and New Jersey [United States of America]: 'we beheld the land of Columbia no more'

(13-31 Dec 1823) North-easterly wind producing a heavy sea. Latitude 39°, longitude 72°. Water temperature in the Gulf of Florida [United States of America] 83°. 'My ducks were very sick for two days and ate nothing, the pigeons and quail continued well'. Favourable winds from the morning of 14 Dec until the end of the month. 'Our passage was such as did not admit of an observance of the holiday [Christmas]'

(1-3 Jan 1824) Seeing the rocky shores of Cornwall in the morning of the new year. Anchoring at Dover on Saturday morning

(4-10 Jan 1824) Reaching the Downs on Sunday evening. The ship lying becalmed for two days. Entering the river on Wednesday evening, and 'had the pleasure of arriving safe at London on Friday morning, having had a highly interesting journey'.

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RHS archive: plant collector papers

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Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library

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