First expedition of David Douglas: Journal 2
Information
Title - First expedition of David Douglas: Journal 2
Record type - Archive
Original Reference - RHS/Col/5/1/1/2
Date - 7 Sep-11 Nov 1823
Scope & content - An abbreviated version of David Douglas's travel journal relating to his first expedition, covering a part of his journey on the east coast of North America
Overview of contents:
Page 1: Note
Pages 3-51: Narrative of journey, 7 Sep-11 Nov 1823
This volume is a partial version of the travel journal of Douglas's first expedition (for another version of the journal, Jun 1823-Jan 1824, see RHS/Col/5/1/1/1), but also includes details not present in the first volume. The manuscript may have been an attempt to produce a fair version, perhaps for publication. 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'
Physical description: Bound in soft paper covers marbled in red/brown shell pattern with blue veins. Labelled 'D. Douglas' with annotations in several later hands ('1823', '?Date of year', 'Leave this at [illegible word]', 'Not to be set up'). The cover is slightly torn, but the pages are robust and in fair condition. Dimensions: 31 (h) x 20 (w) cm
The volume is written on rectos only, in David Douglas's hand. There are annotations, additions, crossings out and corrections in Douglas's hand on the blank versos. Substantial annotations are included in the description, and identified as such
The volume was paginated on the upper right-hand corner of rectos during cataloguing
Summary of contents:
(flyleaf, undated [1-4 Dec]) 'Mr Kennedy (Mr Maitland I did not see) [David S. Kennedy and William Maitland were merchants in New York] has through the whole of my stay given me every facility in his power. The feelings of Dr Hosack [David Hosack, physician and botanist in New York] and DeWitt Clinton [DeWitt Clinton, naturalist and governor of New York] are already known to the Society, however I can not help mentioning the real [concern] towards the Society['s] welfare, the unremitting kindness to myself, which they at all times showed. From Messrs Hogg [Thomas Hogg, nurseryman in New York], Floy [Michael Floy, nurseryman in Manhattan, New York] & Wilson [William Wilson, nurseryman in Manhattan, New York] had much kindness and assistance'
(7-8 Sep 1823) Leaving Schenectady [New York] for Utica [New York]. The day 'exceedingly warm'. Seeing to the right high mountains covered with timber, mainly Juglans, 'magnificent' trees of Pinus balsamea [Abies balsamea], and Pinus canadensis [?Tsuga canadensis] growing in the dry rocky parts. Seeing on the left the so-called German Flats [German Flatts, New York, United States of America], with low, rich and well-cultivated land, and the Great Western Canal [Erie Canal, New York] on the south bank of the Mohawk River [Mohawk River, New York, United States of America]
Stopping briefly at Palatine upper village [New York] at midday. On a nearby projecting rock called 'The Nose', seeing Quercus ovaloformis [?Quercus oliviformis, Quercus macrocarpa], 35-50 feet high and between two and two and a half feet in diameter, with long, 'deeply lobed, almost pectinate' leaves. Large apple orchards being 'laid out with taste' between the road and the river, the trees planted 30-35 feet apart: 'pears are by no means plentiful', but two or three varieties of plum being cultivated. Seeing people 'almost at every house' preparing for the cider harvest
Arriving at Little Falls [New York] at 2pm ('a beautiful and very romantic village, laying in the bosom of the hills'), 81 miles from Albany, with a newly built, 'handsome' aqueduct [annotated: 'of granite'] consisting of three arches for the canal, dedicated to 'D.C. [DeWitt Clinton, who was responsible for building the Erie Canal, built between 1817 and 1825]'. Going from Little Falls to Utica by canal boat
(9-12 Sep 1823) Leaving at 8am for Rochester [New York], 60 miles away, by canal boat: 'a pleasant mode of conveyance, but slow'. The fields rich and fertile, generally well cultivated, with creeks and belts of wood. Between Utica and Montezuma [New York], the canal stretching for 69 'English miles' without a lock, running through a marsh called Cayuga [Montezuma Marsh, New York] bordered by extensive forests of cedar, Juglans, Fraxinus and Pinus: 'this spot had a singular appearance', with trees of all sizes and ages, from seedlings to 200-year-old trees growing together and 'multitudes of wild pigeons perching on the dead limbs of the large oaks' [annotated: 'Passed Syracuse [New York], where salt is manufactured in large quantities [...]']
Arriving on Thursday morning at Rochester, 'at present the western extremity of the canal that is navigable'. Continuing the journey up the banks of Genesee River [New York] to Avon [New York], 24 miles away. The soil varied and generally rich, with large, well-cultivated fields and orchards, and peach trees growing much better than in the eastern parts of the state, especially in the low valley by the river, in light-coloured loam on a bottom of gravel and rock. Seeing plants on a small island in the river, including Gentiana crinita [?Gentianopsis crinita] ('one of the most beautiful of North American annual plants. It likes to inhabit old meadows and partially shady woods, where the soil is wet'), Aster nova belgii [Aster novae-belgiae, identification unresolved as at Aug 2018], Lupinus perennis, Veronica perigrina and Solidago bicolor [here the journal includes a list of 11 more plants]: 'this small spot would afford a great deal of gratification at a proper season'
Leaving Avon on Friday morning for Buffalo [New York]. Passing through Le Roy [New York] and Caledonia [New York], and stopping at Batavia [New York]. The country 'tolerably clear of wood in many parts, and ere long will be an interesting [place]. This is very justly said to be the finest tract of land in the state'. A few miles west of Batavia, seeing only woods, hills and marsh, the road 'uncommonly bad', with stones, fallen timber and 'deep gulleys. It is scarcely possible to conceive the fatigue of travelling over such ground in rough wagon'
(13-15 Sep 1823) Writing to Joseph Sabine [secretary of the Horticultural Society of London]. Visiting Oliver Forward [judge in Buffalo], a friend of DeWitt Clinton. Going on board the steamboat Superior at 9am: 'a magnificent vessel'. The boat stopping for passengers at Dunkirk [New York], Erie [Pennsylvania, United States of America], Fairport [Pennsylvania], Grand River [Ohio, United States of America], Cleveland [Ohio] and Sandusky Bay [Ohio]
Arriving at Amherstburg [Ontario, Canada] [crossed out: 'the steam boat belongs to Americans'] after a 60-hour passage. 'No communication is allowed by the British between the US [United States of America] and the UP [Province of Upper Canada, 1791-1841, part of British Canada comprising Southern Ontario and parts of Northern Ontario, Canada]. They were not even allowed to send on shore their boat. It was put on shore on an island in the Detroit River [River Detroit, Canada and the United States of America], opposite the government store, from which, in a small canoe of birch bark belonging to an Indian, I was paddled across the river to Amherstburg'
Visiting Henry Briscoe [officer, who served in the war of 1812 with Edward Sabine, geophysicist, naturalist and astronomer, brother of Joseph Sabine, secretary of the Horticultural Society of London] and being received with warmth: 'I need not say the night was spent with pleasure', Briscoe being pleased to hear from his 'esteemed friend', Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine]. Going to bed late. Intending to make an excursion to the woods the following day
(16-17 Sep 1823) Setting out at 5am with Henry Briscoe towards the north-east. The ground flat, with mostly rich, black earth, and trees [annotated: 'of immense magnitude'] including oak, walnut, ash, elm, beech, cypress, but no pine. The underwood consisting of Euonymus, Crataegus, Rubus, Rosa and Vites [?Vitex]
Seeing several species of Quercus, including Quercus alba [annotated: 'it is known by the name of white oak'] ('seen to grow larger than any other'. Seeing one with a trunk of 60 or 70 feet without branches, with fine pinnatifid leaves: 'one of the most beautiful of the tribe', its wood good, although not as durable as some others, and used in husbandry, especially for fencing), Quercus rubra (frequently growing to 120-140 feet, its large, oblong acorns and 'diversified foliage will never fail to command attention', but its wood not as valuable as that of the alba: 'in the Upper Province [Province of Upper Canada], where it cannot be transmitted to the coast, it is of no value', otherwise being mainly used for stares [stairs], and known as stare [stair] or red oak), Quercus palustris or pin oak (40-70 feet high, usually found in low, poor and wet ground, its wood hard but seldom used), Quercus olivaeformis [Quercus macrocarpa] ('a very handsome species having a fine foliage', the trees larger than at Palatine, 70-100 feet high, plentiful on the shores of Lake Erie [Canada and the United States of America] and River Detroit, growing in dry soil, its wood hard, in colour similar to white oak, 'and it is cut down by the inhabitants under that name', and shipped in large quantities from Montreal [Quebec, Canada], making Quercus alba so valuable) and Quercus macrocarpa ('certainly the finest of the genus', the largest seen by Douglas 45-60 feet high, with a trunk of 10 feet in circumference, its clusters of large acorns and lobed leaves giving it 'a gracefulness which rarely is found in one object'. Growing on the shores in pure sand, standing in water two or three feet deep in the wind: 'I experienced some difficulty in procuring specimens and seeds, [the lake] being at present in an inundated state'
Seeing Juglans nigra, Juglans cathartica [unidentified] and Juglans amara [Carya cordiformis], the two former growing into large trees, a species of Fagus ('exceedingly large, on the dry rich soil') and Cupressus disticha, but no species of pine, the soil probably being too rich. Seeing several varieties of Crataegus, some nearly as large as the Sabinian crab-apple, with a similar flavour, possibly a hybrid, some growing 40 or 50 feet high
Visiting a small island in the Detroit River, opposite Amherstburg. The island about a mile long and three quarters of a mile at its widest point, covered with rich black loam, with several species of Quercus, similar to those on the shores of the lake. Seeing several plants, including Rubus villosus [unidentified], plenty of Rosa rubifolia [unidentified] ('not in flower, but plenty of seed'), Acnida cannabina [Amaranthus cannabinus], Prenathus alba [Prenanthes alba, Nabalus albus] ('abundant, so famed for cure of the bite of rattlesnakes') and Lobelia siphilitica ('in low wet places') [here the journal includes a list of 7 more plants]. Seeing a variant of Quercus macrocarpa, 20-30 feet high, two or three feet wide, with acorns the same size, invariably in pairs, 'which is not the case with the other. This is certainly but a trifling variant, but I cannot help mentioning it'
'Being the season [at] which the Indians come for their presents from the government, I had an opportunity of seeing several 100'. Spending the evening with Henry Briscoe. The following morning going with Briscoe and his friend John Richardson [sic; Robert Richardson], 'MD, physician for the Indian department', to Sandwich [Old Sandwich Town, Windsor, Ontario], 15 miles away, intending to travel up the River Thames [Ontario] [annotated: 'if possible']. Arranging specimens and seeds
(18-22 Sep 1823) Setting out at dawn with Richardson for Sandwich. Going through a forest of oak and walnut trees, and underwood of 'scarcely penetrable' thorn and bramble, with an extensive swamp further on, including a small creek and ponds. Seeing plants in the drier places, including Aster, Solidago, Nuphar advena, Nuphar kalmiana [Nuphar microphylla], Eriocaulon ('not unlike the Eriocaulon septangulare [Eriocaulon aquaticum] of Britain'), Sagittaria sagittifolia and Nymphaea odorata
Passing the French settlements: 'here the fields manifest the age of the country', well cultivated and divided by fences, the soil generally rich, producing abundant crops. The gardens attached to each house 'bespeak the origin of the inhabitants', with peaches, apples and pears being cultivated, as well as small fruits, including gooseberries, currants and cherries ('but not many varieties') and European vegetables, 'which, however, seldom do so well as might be expected', apart from cress, mustard and radish. Peaches growing 'luxuriantly', but vines not being cultivated. Their apples good, but of not many varieties: 'they have no names for them', calling them by their colour instead
Arriving at Sandwich and finding 'many persons, who were acquainted with Mr Frances Mason [Francis Mason, British naturalist and missionary in the United States] during his peregrinations in that quarter'. Seeing plants including Andromeda polifolia, Chelone glabra var. alba [Chelone glabra], Geum agremonioides [?Potentilla arguta] ('on the rising bluffs in swamps'), Cyperus filiculmis ('on bare moist ground') and a species of Solidago ('leaves lanceolate, hispid, entire, sessile, flowers small, yellow in a raceme, stem partly smooth') [here the journal includes a list of approximately 20 more plants]. The land for four miles from Sandwich generally rich, with a large morass reaching to Lake St Clair [Ontario, Canada and Michigan, United States of America], 16 miles away. The eastern side of the lake beautifully covered with woods, including Quercus ambigua [?Quercus diversifolia], 40-60 feet high: 'Pursh [Frederick Traugott Pursh, botanist] supposes this to be only a variant, [but] its characters are most assuredly constant'. Menispermum canadense plentiful on the trees, with Campanula flexuosa [?Campanula divaricata] found on open ground, growing with Lobelia inflata and Lobelia siphilitica. A species of Quercus growing 70-100 feet high, with small, deeply lobed leaves, pubescent underneath, and large oblong acorns enclosed in a scaly cup, generally growing in pairs
Heavy rain towards the evening, followed by frost, forcing Douglas to return to Sandwich. Packing up 'what little I had of seeds, plants and specimens'. Returning to Amherstburg on Monday afternoon
(23-24 Sep 1823) Crossing the river to the Michigan Territory [United States of America]. Finding plants including Botrychium fumarioides [identification unresolved as at Aug 2018] ('in shady woods among vegetable soil'), Coptis trifolia, several species of Smilax, a species of Anemone ('tall, in seed, probably Anemone pennsylvanica [Anemone dichotoma]') and Gerardia quercifolia [Aureolaria virginica] ('in seed') [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more plants]. Not seeing any species of pine
Henry Briscoe 'received orders to remove' to Kingston [?Ontario, Canada or New Jersey] by the first steamboat, leaving Detroit [Michigan, United States of America] the following morning: 'this circumstance together with the lateness of the season has in some measure frustrated my movements and obliges me to return sooner than I would have otherwise done'
(25-28 Sep 1823) Packing [crossed out: 'all', replaced with 'my few'] plants. Travelling in the afternoon on a steamboat with Henry Briscoe and his family, the passage being 'very boisterous', with tempestuous winds the whole journey, making the lake resemble an ocean. Reaching Buffalo towards midnight on 28 Sep, one of the paddles of the boat having been swept away
(29 Sep-2 Oct 1823) Writing to Joseph Sabine, DeWitt Clinton and David Hosack. Setting out at 10am for the Falls of Niagara [Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and New York, United States of America], in the company of Henry Briscoe on his way to Kingston. The weather very cold with snow showers and north-westerly winds. Crossing the river to the Canadian side about four miles from Buffalo with difficulty: 'we were recompensed with a good road and man'. Seeing 'delightful' little cottages on the banks of the river. Finding accommodation in a newly built large town, 400 yards north-west of the Falls. Visiting the Falls in the evening and seeing 'many pleasant views'. The soil along the river a light brown loam on the American side, and more varied on the Canadian side, rising about 250 feet high above the Falls, with a swamp 200 yards long at the bottom, a little above the Table Rock [Niagara Falls]
Seeing plants including Gentiana sapponarea [Gentiana saponaria], Rubus odoratus ('in fruit, which is dark red and pleasant to eat. Pursh [Frederick Traugott Pursh] says that the fruit is yellow'), Juniperus virgianiana ('the woods'), Acer saccharinum ('on the island just above the falls [...], some of them are very large & appear to have been tapped frequently') and Quercus palustris ('from 50 to 70 feet high. The large, bright green leaves and long, large acorns make it an interesting species. The acorns are sweet and eaten by wild pigeons and pigs in preference to Indian corn [flint corn]') [here the journal includes a list of approximately 25 more plants]
Parting from Briscoe at Queenstown [Queenston, Ontario] on Wednesday evening. Crossing the river to spend the night at Lewiston [New York]
(2-8 Oct 1823) Setting off early in the morning for Bucks [unidentified], 15 miles away, '6 miles to what is called the Ridge Road [Route 104, New York]'. Visiting Mr Thomas [David Thomas, engineer at the Erie Canal] at Lockport [New York], 'a gentleman of considerable botanical attainments, and friend of Mr Clinton's [DeWitt Clinton]. I benefited much by Mr Thomas' short acquaintance'
Seeing a species of Viola ('in light soil, leaves cordate, dentate, on long petioles, flower small, of a whitish-purple colour'), Monotropa hypopithys [Monotropa hypopitys], Orchis orbiculare [Platanthera orbiculata], Triphora pendula [Triphora trianthophora] and Hydrophyllum virginianum or Hydrophyllum canadense ('the leaves of which are eaten, when in a young state, like spinach in England. That which I had boiled was bad, being obliged to [use] old leaves, the young ones being killed with the frost. I am informed by Mr Thomas it makes an excellent dish') [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more plants]
Going by stage [stagecoach] to Rochester, 70 miles away, to catch a canal boat to Little Falls. Having to take a stagecoach onwards, due to disruption of traffic resulting from the celebrations for the opening of the canal [Erie Canal]. Arriving at Albany on Wednesday afternoon. Changing seed and specimen papers in the evening
(9-18 Oct 1823) Early in the morning meeting David Hosack, who had come to Albany for the celebrations the previous day. Visiting DeWitt Clinton, being kindly received, but finding him busy, 'surrounded by many friends, admirers of the canal'. Being invited to spend the evening with Clinton
Setting out to search for Pterospora andromedea, having been informed by David Thomas in Lockport that it grew near Albany. Managing to find it before dusk in a woody ravine three miles south of the town, growing on an angle by a rivulet, under Pinus alba [Picea glauca], in dry light brown loam. Finding the plant in a different environment on the north side of the valley, growing in shade, in stiff, wet soil, covered with Hypericum and Jungermannia
Clinton suggesting that Mr Tracy [unidentified], 'a gentleman [...] fond of plants and cultivates some interesting ones', may have more information about the plant. Tracy having acquired Pterospora through a friend ('fond of plants, but possessed no knowledge of botany') who had found it in nearby woods and planted it in his garden. The plant thriving throughout the summer, reappearing the following years, 'equally strong', flowering and ripening seeds. Not finding any living plants, 'which proves it to be annual, as Nuttall [Thomas Nuttall, British botanist, who studied plants in North America in 1808-1841] justly supposed it to be, also that it will rise from seed'
Tracy saying that he had found Erythronium albidum of Nuttall 10 miles from Albany, on the western banks of the River Hudson [New York, United States of America], growing on a small rising bluff, surrounded by a large morass. Being unable to reach the plant, the spot being covered with water. According to Nuttall, the plant growing abundantly in the western country. Tracy giving Douglas a dried specimen, promising to send the plants to Thomas Hogg in New York
Clinton suggesting Douglas visit Stephen van Ransaleer [Stephen van Rensselaer III, landowner, businessman and politician in New York]. Seeing his garden and orchards with apple, pear and plum trees, hothouses filled with grapes, including Black Prince, Black Hamburgh, Grizzly Frontignan and Malmsey, and a flower garden with European roses
Visiting Paul Clark, 'a person fond of birds, and who for 40 years past has unsuccessfully tried to raise the common wild pigeon, until last year'. The house covered in net [annotated: Pinus candensis [Tsuga canadensis] planted for the pigeons to roost in: 'they had built nests, and 2 females had eggs. They are perfectly tame']'. Clinton obtaining six domesticated pigeons for Mr Sabine [Joseph Sabine]: 'I carried [them] to NY [New York, United States of America] in a basket'
Leaving Albany on Saturday by steamboat to Rhinbeck [Rhinebeck, New York, United States of America] to visit Morgan Lewis [previously governor of New York]: 'Mr Lewis and family, during my stay at his house, showed me many acts of kindness, and offered every assistance for the furtherance of the Society's objects'. Lewis being interested in agriculture, importing plants and implements from England, although 'not so successful' with gardening. The estate containing 'many interesting spots' [annotated: 'covered with wood'], divided by small rivulets, with well-cultivated fields on the banks
The woods consisting of various species of Quercus, including Quercus tinctoria [Quercus velutina] (a beautiful tree, 70-90 feet high, green, with clusters of acorns: 'the wood is much used and is thought excellent'), Quercus ambigua [?Quercus diversifolia] ('also a fine tree, and like the former, retains its verdure a long time. This species Pursh [Frederick Traugott Pursh] supposes it a hybrid between coccinea and rubra. Mr P. most assuredly had never seen Michaux's [Francois Andre Michaux, French botanist] ambigua. It is specifically distinct and constant in its character') and Quercus banisteri [Quercus ilicifolia] ('on dry, barren, rocky ground, on the banks of the Hudson, from 6 to 8 feet high, although small yet forms an interesting link in the family to which it belongs'), Castanea vesca var. americana [Castanea dentata] ('of great magnitude. The wood is used for fences. A variant is found here with fruit very considerably larger than the common. The plants in the Society's garden were raised from seeds of this variant by Mr Lewis. The chestnuts, or chingua as they are known by, are sweet and extremely fine. They properly find a place in an American dessert') and five species of Juglans [here the journal includes a list of approximately 12 more trees]
On Friday, visiting James Thomson [landowner in Albany], 'whose friendship I had already experienced'. Seeing many fine species of trees on his estate: 'Mr Thomson is also fond of farming, and pays his whole attention to it and his woods'. Receiving plants of a species of Asculus [Aesculus] from Ohio [United States of America] and two kinds of apple. Seeing Lycopodium dendroideum, Lycopodium complanatum, Pteris atropurpurea [Pellaea atropurpurea], Pyrola maculata [Chimaphila maculata] and Pyrola umbellata [Chimaphila umbellata] [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants]. Leaving by steamboat on Saturday morning and arriving at New York [United States of America] on Sunday morning at 5am
(19-29 Oct 1823) Spending the day at Thomas Hogg's, 'who has all along manifested desire to be useful to the Society'. Unpacking and securing plants. Going to Flushing [New York] to make arrangements with William Prince 'as to the trees, shrubs, plants etc'. Writing a letter to Joseph Sabine on Thursday
Visiting Mr Thorburn [unidentified] and Messrs Kennedy and Maitland [merchants in New York] 'to enquire when any vessel would sail for London'. Visiting Michael Floy and William Wilson, preparing to take the plants in their care, being grateful for their assistance and friendship. Attending a meeting of the Horticultural Society of New York, those present including the honorary members David Hosack, DeWitt Clinton and the mayor of the city [Stephen Allen, mayor of New York 1821-1824] and the membership including 'a considerable number of gentlemen'. Martin Hoffman [annotated: 'president'] [president of the Horticultural Society of New York] being 'a respectable merchant. [He] possesses little knowledge of gardening, but is a great promoter of it'. Thomas Hogg, Michael Floy and William Wilson being 'the chief practical members'. Plants exhibited including several kinds of apples, pears, some fine beet, carrots, broccoli [annotated: 'Hamburgh grape, which was very small'], and double white, double striped and single red Camellia
Going with Thomas Hogg to New Jersey [United States of America] on Monday. Collecting plants including Neottia repens [?Goodyeara pubescens], Neottia pubescens [Goodyeara pubescens], Vaccinium hispidulum [Gaultheria hispidula], Rhododendron maximum, Gerardia quercifolia [Aureolaria virginica], Rhus vernix and Prinos glaber [Ilex glabra]. Being disappointed at not being able to find Sarracenia purpurea ('being the chief object of the journey') due to torrential rains having made the swamp it grew in inaccessible
(29-31 Oct 1823) Visiting Messrs Kennedy and Maitland to obtain money for the journey to Philadelphia [Pennsylvania]. Leaving New York at midday
Visiting Mr Coxe [William Coxe, pomologist and politician in New Jersey] in Burlington [New Jersey, United States of America], but finding him seriously ill: 'we regretted exceedingly not being able to put up specimens of apples for the Society'. Finishing packing trees at Mr Smith's [?Daniel Smith, nurseryman in New Jersey] and sending them by steamboat to New York. Leaving Burlington on Friday evening for Philadelphia, a three-hour journey by steamboat
(1-6 Nov 1823) Being pleased to meet Thomas Nuttall, 'whom I found very communicative', at William Dick's [gardener, janitor at the University of Pennsylvania] house. Accompanying Dick and Nuttall to Messrs Landreth's [seed company in Philadelphia]. Being given plants of Maclura aurantiaca [Maclura pomifera], Halesia diptera, roses Champneya, Cherokee and Noisette, Magnolia cordata [Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata], cuttings of vines and seeds of Cyamus luteus [Nelumbo lutea]
Visiting the garden of Mr Bartram [John Bartram, botanist, horticulturist and explorer in Philadelphia], and seeing Andromeda arborea [?Oxydendrum arboreum] 'from his nephew'. Going to 'the museum [Charles Willson Peale's Philadelphia Museum]' on Monday, seeing an extensive collection of native birds: 'they appear to be much indebted to Mr W. Wilson [William Wilson], on the labels of many are little select pieces of poetry with his initials'. The quadrupeds 'not so well done', but the minerals proving interesting. Seeing a beautiful male Vespertilio vampyrus [Pteropus vampyrus] six feet six inches with its wings extended: 'he is perfectly tame and suffers himself to [be] handled without the least resentment. His chief food is apples, pears etc'. Leaving Philadelphia for Burlington, after obtaining all the plants and seeds 'which appeared worthy of notice' from Dick
Visiting William Coxe, who was too weak to leave his room. Being given specimens 'of all the sorts he had', including plants of double Pennsylvanian rose and two species of Phlox 'from the south' [annotated 'with some papers of ornamental seeds and two bottles of cider for Messrs Knight etc [Thomas Andrew Knight, president of the Horticultural Society of London]']. Collecting seeds of Quercus ferruginea [Quercus marilandica], Quercus phellos, Quercus tinctoria [Quercus velutina], Monarda punctata, Rhexia virginica and Caltha flabellifolia [Caltha palustris]. Leaving Burlington on Tuesday afternoon for Bordentown [New Jersey] and South Amboy [New Jersey]. Arriving at New York at midday on 6 Nov
(7-9 Nov 1823) Packing at Michael Floy's. Writing to Joseph Sabine on Saturday. Packing seeds. Spending Sunday evening with David Hosack 'as usual'
(10-11 Nov 1823) Making another attempt with Thomas Hogg to obtain Sarracenia, having earlier been unsuccessful due to rainy weather: 'we succeeded after some difficulty in securing abundance of it', and collecting Orontium aquaticum and Pothos foetida [Symplocarpus foetidus] from the same swamp, seven miles from New York in New Jersey [United States of America]
Extent - 1 volume
Repository - Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library
Copyright - Royal Horticultural Society
Credit Line - RHS Lindley Collections
Usage terms - Non-commercial use with attribution permitted (CC BY-NC 4.0)