Rough initial version of George Don's journal (volume 1 of 2)
Information
Title - Rough initial version of George Don's journal (volume 1 of 2)
Record type - Archive
Original Reference - RHS/Col/2/1/1
Date - 13 Nov 1821-19 Oct 1822
Scope & content - Rough initial version (volume 1 of 2) of George Don's travel journal, 13 Nov 1821-19 Oct 1822, describing the journey from England to Jamaica
Overview of contents:
Pages 1-29: Narrative of travel, 13 Nov 1821-26 Feb 1822
Pages 30-32: Blank
Pages 33-135: Narrative of travel, 26 Feb-19 Oct 1822
Physical description: Bound in soft paper covers marbled in red/brown shell pattern with blue veins. Labelled '2'. Dimensions: 31.5 (h) x 20.5 (w) cm. Conserved in 2018: the binding and pages were cleaned and repairs were carried out to both
This volume is the first of two volumes of the rough first copy of George Don's journal. For the second volume of the rough first copy, 20 Oct 1822-7 Feb 1823, see RHS/Col/2/1/2. For the second rough copy, 13 Nov 1881-27 Feb 1823, see RHS/Col/2/1/3-4, and for the fair copy of the journal, 13 Nov 1881-13 Jan 1823, see RHS/Col/2/1/5
The volume is written in George Don's hand, on rectos only, with occasional notes on the versos. There are some annotations and additions in Don's hand on the blank verso pages, in the margins and between the lines. 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:
(13 Nov 1821) Leaving London with Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine, geophysicist, naturalist and astronomer, brother of Joseph Sabine, secretary of the Horticultural Society] to join HMS Iphigenia at Portsmouth
(14 Nov 1821) Arriving at Portsmouth. Staying at the George Inn. Visiting local gardens and seeing Medicago arborea in full flower, a myrtle 15 feet high, and 'the most beautiful Lauristinus I ever saw'
(17 Nov 1821) On board the ship, but not sailing. South-westerly wind
(20 Nov 1821) Sailing from Portsmouth. Progress slow as winds strong and westerly. Moderate and cloudy. Sailing through St Helens [Isle of Wight]
(21 Nov 1821) Westerly wind, strong breezes and cloudy. Rain in the afternoon
(22 Nov 1821) Calm and cloudy. Anchoring off Weymouth
(23 Nov 1821) 'Being much exhausted by sea sickness'. Going on shore with Edward Sabine, Mr Vetch [Henry Veitch, British consul at Madeira, travelling on the ship] and a few of the ship's officers. Staying at the Royal Hotel. Visiting Portland Rocks in the afternoon, 'to see if I could fall in with Euphorbia portlandica'. Not finding it, but seeing Iris foetidissima, Oenanthe peucedanoides [unidentified], Juncus maritimus, Elymus geniculatus and Eryngium maritimum
(24 Nov 1821) Visiting small local gardens. Seeing Origanum pseudodictamnus [Origanum dictamnus], Marrubium pseudodictamnus [Ballota pseudodictamnus], Cineraria maritima [Jacobaea maritima], Medicago arborea and Myrtus, growing 'to a great size without the least protection'
(25 Nov 1821) Going on board
(31 Nov 1821) Asking the commanding officer [Robert Mends, captain of HMS Iphigenia] for a boat to Portland Rocks, 'having plenty of time on my hands'. Seeing plants including Conysa thapsoids [Conyza thapsoides], Glaucium luteum [Glaucium flavum], a curious variety of Rosa spinosissima with oblong red fruit, Euphorbia amygdaloides and Silene maritima [Silene uniflora] [here the journal includes a list of 3 more plants]. 'The wind still against us'
(6 Dec 1821) Sailing from Weymouth. Moderate breezes
(7 Dec 1821) Strong southerly and south-westerly breezes and squalls
(14 Dec 1821) [Reads 20 Dec] Westerly winds. 'Returned in latitude 44.43 longitude 10.58 west'
(19 Dec 1821) Anchoring in Torbay
(20 Dec 1821) Going on shore to visit Brixham. Edward Sabine visiting Teignmouth
(21 Dec 1821) Going out in the morning to see the countryside. Seeing Cotyledon umbilicus [Umbilicus rupestris] 'with leaves sometimes as large as a two penny piece', Rubia peregrina, Rubia tinctoria [Rubia tinctorum], and between Upper and Lower Brixham, some beautiful Cistus guttatus [Tuberaria guttata]
(24 Dec 1821) Winds changing to more favourable east-by-north-easterly. The ship preparing to sail. Staying on shore to wait for the last boat with some prisoners[?] and officers, but having difficulties boarding the ship due to the gale and surf caused by the rising wind: 'almost swamped in the attempt'. The commodore [Robert Mends] sailing without the party due to the dangerous conditions. Don returning to the inn with the officers
(25 Dec 1821) Leaving Brixham in the direction of Plymouth, hoping to find the ship. Reaching Dartmouth, six miles away, and hiring a pilot boat to Plymouth
(26 Dec 1821) Arriving at Plymouth at 4am. After going on shore for breakfast, the officers informing the admiral of the situation. The admiral sending the party on board the Pygmy schooner [HMS Pigmy] to join the ship at Falmouth [sic; Don wrote Falmouth in error, where other copies have Plymouth], 'where we expected she had gone'
(27 Dec 1821) Hearing that the ship had returned to Torbay
(29 Dec 1821) On board the HMS Pigmy. Due to high winds the commander [Thomas Hills, commander of HMS Pigmy] refusing to sail. Don and one of the admiralty midshipmen deciding to walk to Torbay, 32 miles away. Due to the rain, spending the night in Totnes, 24 miles from Plymouth, 'there being no possibility of the ship leaving Torbay'
(30 Dec 1821) Hiring a car [carriage] to Torbay from Totnes 'as we found ourselves rather fatigued with the former day's walk'. Hiring a shore boat after breakfast to go on board the ship
(31 Dec 1821) Sailing from Torbay. Seeing HMS Pigmy at a distance. The rest of the officers and prisoners[?] joining the ship. North-westerly wind
(1 Jan 1822) Slow sailing, the south-westerly winds still against them. Anchoring in Plymouth
(2 Jan 1822) Saluting the admiral. Salute returned in about two hours. Going on shore in the afternoon, seeing 'but little'. Intending to visit the seat of Lord Edgcumbe [Earl of Mount Edgcumbe], Mount Edgcumbe, 'but was deprived of that through wet'
(4 Jan 1822) Sailing from Torbay with a more favourable north-easterly wind
(11 Jan 1822) Arriving at Funchal, Madeira [Portugal]. Saluting the governor [Rodrigo Antonio de Melo, Portuguese governor of Madeira]. Landing at Funchal, 'the principle town', with Henry Veitch, Edward Sabine and some of the officers. 'Saluted Mr Vetch [Henry Veitch] on his landing which brought great crowds of people round us which made it difficult to get along'. Passing through the Custom House. Going to stay at the Consul House [Henry Veitch's residence]
Visiting Veitch's garden in the afternoon. Not seeing much, it being a wet mid-winter day. Seeing in the garden esculent [edible] vegetables and fruits, including Mangifera indica, Musa paradisiaca and Musa sapientum ('common in all the small gardens and fields about the town in great perfection'), Nerium oleander, large trees of Dracaena draco and Erythrina speciosa, 'among many other curious plants but these being neither flower nor fruit I could not ascertain what they were' [here the journal includes a list of approximately 25 more plants]
Returning through the town: 'a very confined place, the streets here are more like lanes than anything else, and must be of course very unwholesome', but considering the people 'very kind'. Seeing no wheeled carts, all loads instead conveyed by a sledge drawn by oxen [annotated: 'the island at a distance has the appearance of being one continued hill']
(12 Jan 1822) Being invited to Palmara [Quinta Palmeira Gardens, Madeira], a mile away, to see Mr Blackburn's [Henry Blackburn, merchant in Madeira] gardens, 'an opulent merchant of Madeira and who was a passenger with us'. Admiring the gardens with fine groves of orange, lemon, guava, plantations of coffee and sugar cane, and vineyards. Seeing many 'curious' plants, including Sempervivum canariense [Aeonium canariense], Aloe barbadensis, several varieties of Opuntia, Ruta pinnata and Globularia longifolia [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more plants]. Collecting specimens of ferns
(13 Jan 1822) Visiting Peak of Ruivo [Pico Ruivo, Madeira] on horseback with Edward Sabine, Captain Clevering [Douglas Charles Clavering, captain of HMS Pheasant], Robert Mends, Mr Whitlaw [Robert Whitelaw, surgeon on HMS Iphigenia], Henry Blackburn and Smith [John Smith, Edward Sabine's assistant]
Seeing plants including Arum esculentum [Colocasia esculenta] ('which goes under the name of yams by the natives'), Erica arborea ('an immense size some of them 6 feet in circumference'), sweet chestnut, and at 4,000 feet a small peak covered with Sempervivum tabulare and Lycopodium denticulatum [Selaginella denticulata] [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more plants]
Returning to the valley, unable to continue up the mountain on horseback. Sabine, 'not being contented with the observations he made here', climbing to the peak with Whitelaw. Don and the rest of the party returning down. The forests at 5,000 feet covered with plants including Laurus indica, Ilex perado, Sideroxylon inerme, Clethra arborea and Salix canariensis [here the journal includes a list of 4 more plants] [annotated: 'there are long valleys covered with Laurus species, and mountains covered with Spartium scoparium and Pteris aquilina [Pteridium aquilinium]]. The country 'beautiful far beyond description'. Stopping under trees to wait for Sabine and Whitelaw. Returning to Funchal at midnight with Sabine
(14 Jan 1822) 'I am sorry to state that it will not be in my power to do anything here through the want of time for the Society and this being the most dormant season of the year'
(15 Jan 1822) Sailing from Funchal
(17 Jan 1822) Anchoring off Santa Cruz, Teneriffe [Tenerife, Canary Islands], 'similar in appearance to Madeira, but the town is better, the streets being much wider' [annotated: 'this island is very mountainous at Santa Cruz. Thermometer 69']. The mountains covered in plants including Euphorbia piscatoria, Agave americana, Lavandula pinnata, Lappago racemosa and Opuntia decumanus [Opuntia maxima] ('the same as Mr Anderson [unidentified] received from Mexico to a great size') [here the journal includes a list of approximately 23 more plants]
A gun fired as a signal from the ship for everyone to board at 3pm, 'so we had to be as expeditious as possible to get down to the beach where there was a boat waiting for us'. Sailing from Santa Cruz [annotated: 'the only birds I saw here a few finch [finches], one or two canary birds of a darkest colour, a species of [illegible], but they were so timid that it was impossible to get within gun shot of them']
(18 Jan 1822) Still in sight of Teneriffe [Tenerife]. The weather calm and hazy
(24 Jan 1822) Coming in sight of the Cape de Verd Islands [Cabo Verde]. Seeing the mountainous islands of St Antonio [Santo Antao, Cabo Verde] and St Vincent [Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde]. Seeing a ship in a bay, 'which they supposed to be a slave vessel, but on sending a boat it was found to be an American South Sea whaler'. Seeing flying fish for the first time
(25 Jan 1822) Passing the island of Fuego [Fogo, Cabo Verde] to the west and St Jago [Santiago, Cabo Verde] to the east
(26 Jan 1822) Anchoring off Porto Prayii, St Jago [Praia, Santiago]. Landing with Edward Sabine. Seeing Phoenix dactylifera and Gossypium arboreum, 'yielding the finest cotton I ever saw'. The island dry with nothing green apart from some coconut trees. Spending the few hours on the island seeing plants including Lotus jacobaeous, Cassia occidentalis [Senna occidentalis], Aloe barbadense ('in flower which has a beautiful appearance'), Physalis somnifera [Withania somnifera] and Asclepias gigantea [Calotropis gigantea] [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more plants] [annotated: 'the hills and valleys are covered indiscriminately with a species of Justicia[?]']. Collecting seeds and specimens
The town 'a row or two of most miserable huts thatched with date palm leaves'. John Smith shooting birds, including a curious owl. Arranging the collected specimens on board [annotated: 'thermometer 72']
(27 Jan 1822) Going on shore before daybreak with a fishing party. The fishermen catching 'innumerable quantities of fish'. Don climbing the nearby mountains. Seeing groves of Jatropha curcas. The mountains barren and dry: 'every vegetable here was entirely scorched up'. The hill and valley covered with Polypogon, various species of Sida, Cardiospermum, and various species of Convolvulus and Ipomea [Ipomoea] in flower, the only green plant
Returning on board the ship at 9am. Going back on shore to collect insects. Going on board with the commodore [Robert Mends] in the evening [annotated: 'this day Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine] had several birds brought to him by the officers, among which was a very strange kingfisher']
(28 Jan 1822) Sailing from St Jago
(31 Jan 1822) Seeing the coast of Africa, low and covered with trees. Edward Sabine going on shore on the island of Goree [Goree, Senegal] with some of the officers. Saluting the port. French officers from nearby vessels visiting on board. Sabine bringing back specimens of Argemone mexicana, 'the only vegetable that he saw on the island with the exception of a few cocoa nut [coconut] trees'. The island reminding Don of Inchkeith in Scotland, 'if it had been destitute of houses'
Sailing towards the Gambia River [Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia] in the evening [annotated: 'the continent appearing to be quite covered with trees of Cap Verd [Cabo Verde] and quite level here at least as far as I could see. Captain Sabine learned here that C. Macarthy [Charles MacCarthy, British governor of Sierra Leone] had gone as far as Cape Coast [Ghana], which was news not favourable to us']
(1 Feb 1822) Anchoring off the Gambia River [annotated: we sent a boat up the river to a British colony, which I intended going with it but the distance being so great that it would have been impossible for me to have got on shore']. Edward Sabine and some of the officers visiting Bird Island [Ile des Oiseaux, off Senegal], 'but the boat being so full the commodore [Robert Mends] would not permit me to go, which was the same as [at] Goree [Goree]'
(2 Feb 1822) Sailing closer to the river. Anchoring. The boat sent the previous day up the river returning. Sailing again. Anchoring at St Mary Bathurst [Banjul, The Gambia]. The country low and covered with mangroves
(3 Feb 1822) Visiting the shore. The country and vegetation dry and parched. Seeing plants including Rhisaphora [Rhizophora], Avicennia africana, a species of Celtis, perhaps orientalis [Celtis orientalis] neither in flower or fruit, Adansonia, and a species of Coccoloba. Close to the river seeing plenty of large flowering Ipomoea, date palms, Plumbago zeylanica, Capparis floribunda, Dodonoea and many curious graminae [Gramineae]. Returning on board at sunset
(4 Feb 1822) Arranging specimens and seeds collected the previous day. Visiting the shore in the afternoon to see the small gardens in the colony. Seeing Hibiscus esculentus [Abelmoschus esculentus], Arachis hypogaea and a species of Phaseolus [annotated: 'here also they cultivate Convolvulus batatas [Ipomoea batatas] and likewise I saw a few plants of Musa. This day and the former I saw many swallows. The people here are very kind, and in general speak the Jolaf [Jola] language, the Mandingo [Mandinka] is spoken on the continent opposite to this island. In the fields where it had been inundated I saw Typha angustifolia], but I understand they cultivate many of our esculent plants in the wet season such as radishes and others that come quick to maturity'. Seeing Soranthus with a scarlet flower and many other beautiful shrubs
Seeing for the first time the process of extracting wine from the Elais guineensis [Elaeis guineensis] and 'the beating of the bangees, a musical instrument which is the principal amusement of the natives'. John Smith shooting many birds, 'many of them very curious and beautiful'
Hiring a canoe with Edward Sabine and Smith to return on board, 'but the current of the river was so very strong and our canoe man so weak, we were drifting fast down the river, which obliged us to hail the ship for a boat which was sent and we got on board'
(5 Feb 1822) Arranging specimens and seeds. Sailing. Anchoring to land the pilot. Sailing again
(6 Feb 1822) Anchoring opposite Cape Roxo [Guinea-Bissau and Senegal]. Sending a boat to the shore, 'but as soon as the boat landed they were overpowered by the natives armed with bows and arrows which obliged the boat's crew to retreat'. In the evening sending three manned and armed boats along the Rio Grande river [Rio Grande de Buba, Guinea-Bissau] in search of 'slave vessels'
(8 Feb 1822) Sailing towards Rio Grande [Rio Grande de Buba, Guinea-Bissau]
(12 Feb 1822) Running aground near Cape Verga [Cap Verga, Guinea] in the morning. The tide clearing the ship
(15 Feb 1822) Boats sent on 6 Feb 'in search of slave vessels' returning at 2am with news of a vessel under Portuguese protection. Sending the boats back to capture the vessel
(16 Feb 1822) Sailing for Sierra Leone
(18 Feb 1822) Anchoring off Freetown, Sierra Leone
(19 Feb 1822) Going on shore to find lodgings, but 'did not succeed as there is no possibility of getting any thing like lodgings here without paying a most immoderate sum for them'. Not finding the governor [Charles MacCarthy, British governor of Sierra Leone] at home
(20 Feb 1822) Charles MacCarthy returning
(21 Feb 1822) Going on shore 'to see how I was to be situated'. Finding that Charles MacCarthy and Edward Sabine had agreed that Don would be sent to the governor's farm on a hill above Freetown. Being introduced to the governor by Sabine. Packing boxes on board
(22 Feb 1822) Bringing boxes on shore in the morning. Having to wait for Charles MacCarthy and Edward Sabine to return from an outing. MacCarthy lending Don a mule to carry him up the hill to the farm. Seeing plants including wild pineapples, a species of Bombax ('perhaps pentandria' [Ceiba pentandra]), yellow plums, Spondias, beautiful trees of Afzelia splendens [unidentified], Costus and Ammonum Afzelii [Amomum afzelii]
Seeing in the garden ('an acre of ground cultivated') at the farm, among English vegetables and 'some of the Sierra Leone vegetables', a curious species of Hibiscus 'which they use in the place of sorrel', large fields of cassava (Jatropha manichot [Manihot esculenta]), clerodendron with clusters of scarlet flowers, another species with white flowers, and 'an excellent fruit No 1 which I put in spirits' and one or two species of Epidendrum
(23 Feb 1822) Being kept awake and tormented by 'the howling of wild beasts'. Hiring two 'Kroo men [Krumen] to help me to carry my things'
(24 Feb 1822) Visiting White Man's Bay [Sierra Leone], near Freetown. Seeing large Bombax trees and a 'curious sensitive mimosa'. Pineapples plentiful: 'you can hardly walk for them'. Being obliged to sleep on the floor in the barracks [at Fort Thornton, Freetown], 'the distance being so far and so little twilight'
(25 Feb 1822) Getting up early to return to the governor's farm, 'but the morning being so close and the hill being so steep which I had to climb to reach the farm that I was much fatigued before I reached it'. Finding some interesting plants including Epidendrum, Costus afer and Zingiber by a rivulet in the afternoon. Preserving them in spirits. Seeing a large cashew nut tree
(26 Feb 1822) Collecting fern specimens at daybreak. Climbing in nearby mountains after breakfast. Finding on the summit a small farm owned by an old woman, a Nova Scotian settler [Sierra Leone settlers; former enslaved people and free African Americans who founded Freetown]. Seeing cassava, sweet potatoes ('furrowed up in drills the same as our potatoes'), bananas, plantains, large plum trees and Maranta in her fields, and in the garden rosemary, thyme and fennel. The country covered in 'very fine' pineapples. Finding many specimens on the return journey, including four curious varieties of cotton
(27 Feb 1822) Being busily employed finding trees with Epidendrum on them. Finding a beautiful species of Neottia. Taking up roots of them and planting them in a box. Seeing a baboon or a chimpanzee for the first time
(28 Feb 1822) Going to Regent Town [Regent, Sierra Leone]. The road very good. The country covered in woods, including a beautiful mimosa and large Combretum trees ('perhaps racemosum [Combretum racemosum]'). Returning 'much fatigued'
(1 Mar 1822) 'Herbalising' in a brook between Freetown and the governor's farm. Seeing for the first time the 'country cherry of the natives', but the fruit not ripe, 'so I let it stand a week or two longer'. The tree being about 40 feet high with several species of Epidendrum on it. Acrostichum stemarium [Achrosticum stemaria] very common on the tops of the largest trees
(2 Mar 1822) Collecting specimens and seeds down the river
(3 Mar 1822) Visiting Freetown to try to find seeds of the red water tree. Finding the tree in the middle of the street neither in fruit nor flower. Collecting seeds along the river, including two 'singular' species of Rhexia. Seeing plenty of pineapples. The largest trees the country plum and Bombax pentandre [Ceiba pentandra]
(4 Mar 1822) Going along a valley south-west of Freetown at daybreak. Seeing many curious plants by a rivulet, 'but it was so infested with snakes that it [was] rendered somewhat dangerous'. Seeing a yellow and a green snake. Seeing mammee apple, the sweet and sour piscimmon [pishamin] ('excellent fruits'). Gathering bulbs of an Albuca and a strange species of Arum. Returning 'before dark, very much fatigued with the day's journey'
(5 Mar 1822) Feeling 'a little feverish' in the morning. Going to Freetown to enquire after Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus], 'but could gain no information about it from Dr Nicoll [Andrew Nicoll, medical officer in Sierra Leone], who is one of the most intelligent persons in the colony'. Finding information concerning the butter and tallow tree and other esculent and medicinal plants. Collecting specimens of black plum growing in one of the streets
(6 Mar 1822) Going to Freetown to have breakfast with Andrew Nicoll. Setting out with Dr Barry [William Barry, deputy inspector of hospitals in Sierra Leone] for Congo Town [Sierra Leone]. Seeing on the way many plants in flower, but few in seed, including many varieties of Sansaberia guiniensis [Sansevieria hyacinthoides] 'which tends to confound the many species which Mr Haworth [Adrian Hardy Haworth, botanist] has described'
Finding a beautiful species of Combretum with scarlet flowers and white floral leaves on the return journey. Returning in the afternoon and dining at Nicoll's, 'after which Dr N. proposed going out in the morning early, so I was prevailed upon to stop all night'. Nicoll lending a horse for Don to ride back to the governor's farm, having specimens with him, 'and then return after I had got my specimens put in'
(7 Mar 1822) In the morning Andrew Nicoll feverish and unable to go out. Going to Krootown [Kroo Bay, Sierra Leone] to find Bombax seeds, but not finding ripe ones. Seeing a beautiful octandrious plant with scarlet flowers. Returning for breakfast and meeting Edward Sabine. A ship due to sail to England the following day 'when I might send any boxes which I had'
Riding on horseback to Gloucester Town [Gloucester, Sierra Leone] and Liester Hill [Leicester, Sierra Leone] with William Barry, seven or eight miles away. Visiting on the way the 'Hospital for the Captured Negroes [later renamed the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital] where there were many of the people from the vessel which the Iphigenia [HMS Iphigenia] boats had taken (a few days before) infested with the upthalmie [ophthalmia]'. Finding near the hospital a beautiful tree with bell shaped flowers, probably belonging to the natural order Gentiana. Describing the country as rugged, except a beautiful species of Combretum, 'very common, which has a glorious effect'. Returning in the evening. Dining with Nicoll and staying the night
(8 Mar 1822) Returning from Andrew Nicoll's house to the governor's farm at 6am. Preparing specimens for packing 'to send per Mr Gunning [a passenger on the ship], who is expected to sail in the course of a few days'. Going out in the afternoon to collect Epidendrum to fill up a box
(9 Mar 1822) Packing seeds and specimens. In the afternoon packing a box of air plants. Collecting specimens of guinea pepper and sugar plum
(10 Mar 1822) Preparing seeds for packing
(11 Mar 1822) Packing two boxes, of specimens and seeds
(12 Mar 1822) Sending three boxes to Edward Sabine to put them on board the James, a brig sailing to England via Gambia. Searching for Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus] but not finding it. Seeing orange plants and a curious species of Gardenia
(13 Mar 1822) Searching for the fruits of country cherry and sugar plum, succeeding in finding ripe fruit of both. Planting one or two scitamineous plants to send to England
(14 Mar 1822) Going down the valley near the chief justice's [Edward Fitzgerald, British chief justice in Sierra Leone] farm. Seeing a curious species of fern growing along with Acrostichum stemaria on a rough-skinned plum tree
(15 Mar 1822) Planting a box to send to England. Going to Mr Macauly's [Kenneth Macaulay, merchant and colonial official in Sierra Leone] farm three miles away, to see a tree of African mammee apple, 'but the distance was so great that I could not reach it that night'. Seeing a strange broad-leaved Bambusa. Returning an hour after dark
(16 Mar 1822) Going about eight miles west of Freetown. Searching for young cola plants (Sterculia acuminate [Cola acuminata]), but finding none small enough. Seeing on the roadsides Cecropia, sugar plum, rough-skinned plum ('Parinarium species') and Bombax 'to an immense size'. Returning at 8pm 'much fatigued'
(17 Mar 1822) Attempting to acquire a boat to cross the river. Not finding William Barry at home, 'the person who was to get the boat'
(18 Mar 1822) Catching a few curious Lepidopleris [Lepidopleurus] insects. Discarding insects that had been destroyed by ants. Edward Sabine sending a note saying that Captain Finlayson [William Finlaison, captain of HMS Morgiana] intended to sail to London the following day. Going to Freetown for boxes
(19 Mar 1822) Packing three boxes, one containing living plants, the second seeds and the third fruits. Writing lists of the contents. Sending them to Edward Sabine to put on board
(20 Mar 1822) Cutting down trees that had Epidendrum on them, and finding two he had not seen before. Collecting specimens and seeds
(21 Mar 1822) Going to Synal Hill [Signal Hill, Sierra Leone], 21 miles away. Catching several Lepidopleris [Lepidopleurus] insects on the way. Seeing a plant, possibly Combretum, judging by the seed vessel, 'although very different in habit'. Finding a shrub resembling 'lilac of England', belonging to the same class and order (Dialium guineensis [Dialium guineense]) and with the same scent. Collecting Epidendrum. 'Although I had two men with me I could not get them to climb the tree, but on offering a dollar to any who would go up the tree and bring down any of the plants I wanted, a person appeared who would go up for the money and bring down any thing I wanted'. Intending to return on Monday, having nothing to carry the plants with.. Seeing a species of Begonia and a species of Asida[?]. Returning famished with hunger and feverish. Being unable to get food for three hours after returning
(22 Mar 1822) Visiting a hill five or six miles south of Freetown in the morning to see the mammee apple, but the tree too high to ascertain the form of the leaves. Seeing three species of Passiflora, none of them in flower but one resembling Passiflora quadrangularis. Seeing a species of Melastoma he had not seen before, 'which now makes the 6th species I have found here'. Seeing for the first time Glycine subterrania [Vigna subterranea]. Seeing a large tree with platanous shaped leaf, 'which the people called the pomegranate' and described as an excellent fruit. Seeing a 'very curious' species of Epidendrum
(23 Mar 1822) Going to Kesy Town [Kissy, Sierra Leone], three miles from Freetown, 'but a distance of 5 miles for me as living at the governor's farm'. Seeing a fine species of Bletia or Cyrtopodium, possibly a new species. Collecting specimens [crossed out: 'I met with a [illegible] who had a basket of fruit and [illegible] seed, which appeared very curious to me, but she could not tell me the name, but told me is safu tree [...]']. The fruit [annotated: 'monkey apple'], a little larger than a dove's egg, red and yellow, with flavour 'between a peach and plum'. Seeing some 'curious' Epidendrum and ferns
(24 Mar 1822) Seeing deer feeding in the governor's garden: 'they seemed to be very tame as I got as nigh as a hundred yards'. Going to the port after breakfast to see Edward Sabine about a box for living plants, but finding Sabine had gone to Bullom Shore [Sierra Leone]. Going to Freetown to find young monkey bread trees in the garden of Mr Kennedy, a merchant, but finding none. Kennedy promising to send one if he could
Returning to see Sabine in the afternoon. Sabine promising a boat to Bullom Shore for Don and William Barry. Agreeing to leave Friday morning. 'The appearance of the sky this evening threatened a tornado so I went off as soon as I could to get home before it should come on, as I had a very steep road to go'
(25 Mar 1822) Looking through specimens and putting aside the dry specimens. Collecting Lepidopleurus insects. Treading on a board with nails protruding: 'one of the nails went about one inch into the sole of my foot, which was very painful all this afternoon and I am afraid I shall not be able to go out and collecting for a day or two'
(26 Mar 1822) 'My foot being so very painful and likewise festering I could not go out and I amused myself in making a list of the esculent vegetables and fruits in Sierra Leone'
(27 Mar 1822) Going to Wellington Town [Wellington, Sierra Leone], three miles beyond Kesey Town [Kissy]. Going slowly with the painful foot: 'I was almost determined to give up, but I got some silk cotton and freed it from the seeds and put it under the sore and under the cloth shoes, covered it and then I went pretty easy'. Collecting seeds of a beautiful Cainito [Chrysophyllum cainito] and roots of the Bletia or Cyrtopodium first collected a few days ago
Stopping at a house in Wellington for refreshment. Returning a different way. Seeing a white variety of Melastoma grandiflora [Rhynchanthera grandiflora], 'which I have mentioned before as Osbeckia'. Finding a large bulb of a Caladium. Returning at 1am, his foot very painful
(28 Mar 1822) Not going out due to his painful foot. Arranging the box of insects. Checking specimens to see if they were free of insects. Receiving a message that a boat could not be arranged until Monday for Bullom Shore [Sierra Leone]
(29 Mar 1822) Going to King Tom's point [Kingtom, Sierra Leone], three miles away, the pain in his foot having eased and worrying about the short time remaining in Sierra Leone. Seeing a beautiful species of Combretum, different from those seen before, the fifth species of the genus seen in Sierra Leone: 'now I do not know which to prefer for beauty'. Seeing a curious species of Limodorum ('Eulophia species?') with green flowers, and bringing a specimen to pack in the box of Epidendrum, if Edward Sabine had the box ready. The most common trees being the butter and tallow tree, Christmas bush and the monkey apple. Almost getting lost in the thicket due to multiple paths. Finding a canna. Returning after dark, his foot very painful after the walk
(30 Mar 1822) Packing up seeds and arranging specimens. Collecting insects. Intending to send a box home
(31 Mar 1822) A 'tornado' in the night with thunder and lightning. Going to Freetown to Edward Sabine for the box but it was not ready. Hearing that Sabine had found bulbs of Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus] at the Sugar Loaf Mountain [Sierra Leone]. Intending to go to the same place to collect bulbs [annotated: 'I have postponed my going to Bullom Shore [Sierra Leone] for a few days']
(1 Apr 1822) Setting off at 6am on horseback for the Sugar Loaf Mountain, where Edward Sabine had discovered the bulbs of Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus]. Seeing a curious species of Salvia. In Regent Town [Regent] stopping for breakfast with Rev William Johnston [William Johnson, missionary in Sierra Leone], who 'sent me a man as a guide to the top of the mountain'. Seeing trees related to Guiacum officinale [Guaiacum officinale] and to Laurus cassia [Cinnamomum cassia]. Resting for half an hour. Looking for Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus], but not finding it. Finding a new species of Gladiolus or Ixia, neither in leaf nor flower, and another plant with pinnated leaves and prickly stems
Returning to Johnson's in the afternoon to dine. Returning home at dusk. Beautiful view over the towns on the peninsula and the islands in the river from the top of the mountain. Intending to go to Kent [Sierra Leone] the following day with Mr Laing, 'adjutant of the regiment here' [Alexander Gordon Laing, explorer and captain in the Royal African Colonial Corps]
(2 Apr 1822) Leaving the farm at 5.30am. Breakfasting with Kenneth Macaulay, a local merchant, and then 'got our things put in the boat and rowed off' with Alexander Gordon Laing, Signor Altavilla [Joao Jacomo Altavilla, judge of the Mixed British and Portuguese Commission at Sierra Leone] and John Smith. Seeing Bombax trees
Arriving at the settlement of York [Sierra Leone], 30 miles from Freetown. Going to Mr Johnston's ('the superintendent of the settlement') house to dine. In the afternoon walking along a beach covered in Sansaveria guineensis [Sansavieria guineensis]. Seeing Hymenaea courbaril growing on small islands
(3 Apr 1822) Alexander Gordon Laing and Joao Jacomo Altavilla leaving the rest of the party to go to Waterloo [Sierra Leone]. Don and John Smith going to Kent, 12 miles away. Keeping to the beach covered in Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus]. Collecting 200 bulbs: 'the bulbs are always separate, you never find them closer to each other than 1 foot'
Arriving at a deep river, and having to strip and cross in the shallowest place, still immersed up to their necks in water. Arriving in Kent at 9pm, 'where we were very kindly treated by Mr Beckle [Thomas Stuart Buckle, surveyor and engineer in Sierra Leone], the superintendent' [annotated: 'we sent the boat round']
(4 Apr 1822) Wandering in the bush for a few hours in the morning. Collecting seeds of a 'curious' species of Cacoloba [Coccoloba]. John Smith shooting two crows. Having no time to go to the Island of Bananas [Banana Islands, Sierra Leone], having to be back to wait for the others returning from Waterloo. Arriving in York in the evening. Arranging specimens and seeds. Receiving a letter from Alexander Gordon Laing saying that he and Joao Jacomo Altavilla were not returning to York
(5 Apr 1822) Preparing the boat at 5am. Rowing down the river to collect specimens of a curious species of Arum. Returning for breakfast. On the return journey to Freetown, visiting small islands covered with Hymenaea courbaril, Sansaveria guineensis [Sansavieria guineensis], Epidendrum in the large trees and Achrostichum stemaria. Seeing a white-flowered climbing Combretum. Being accompanied to the islands by Mr Johnston: 'he shot a very beautiful bird, a species of diver'. Returning at 6pm and continuing the journey
(6 Apr 1822) Arriving at Freetown at 1am. Discovering that the HMS Pheasant had arrived. Going to the barracks [at Fort Thornton, Freetown] to sleep until daybreak. Being told by Edward Sabine to be ready to leave in three days. Leaving the barracks to return to the governor's farm to start packing
(7 Apr 1822) Planting cuttings of Afzelia
(8 Apr 1822) Going to the house of Thomas Stuart Buckle for boxes ordered for Don by Edward Sabine. Packing
(9 Apr 1822) Packing up five boxes of living plants, specimens, seeds, bulbs and insects. Writing lists of the contents of the boxes. Sending the boxes to Edward Sabine for the ship. Leaving the box of living plants and the box with Passiflora with the governor's gardener to wait for the ship to sail
(10 Apr 1822) Going to the barracks [at Fort Thornton, Freetown] to enquire about the sailing. Being informed by Edward Sabine that the ship would sail early next morning. Returning to the governor's farm 'where I got some men to carry down my boxes to the barracks'. Sleeping in the barracks
(11 Apr 1822) Sailing on HMS Pheasant
(12 Apr 1822) Arranging the cabin
(15 Apr 1822) Seeing Cape Mount [Liberia]
(16 Apr 1822) Seeing the mountains near the river
(17 Apr 1822) 'Landed some Kroomen [Krumen]', passengers on board the ship, off Kroo country [Kru country or Kru coast, consisting of various settlements along the west coast of Africa, including Liberia and Sierra Leone]
(18 Apr 1822) 'In the first part of the day we were crowded round with canoes with cassava, guinea pepper, ducks and hens, which they sold for tobacco'. Landing 'some blacks which we had on board as passengers at Cape Palmas [Liberia]'. One of the canoes nearly capsizing and one of the men leaping out
(21 Apr 1822) Anchoring off Cape Coast
(22 Apr 1822) Going on shore in the afternoon. Looking through the castle [Cape Coast Castle, Ghana]. Going into the bush near the town. Seeing Vinca rosea [Catharanthus roseus], Stachytarpeta jamaicensis, a curious species of cucumber with small prickly fruit, a species of Sida, Tacca ('perhaps pinnatifida [Tacca leontopetaloides], common in marshy places') and many other curious and interesting plants [here the journal includes a list of 2 more plants]
(23 Apr 1822) 'This day I went in a different direction'. Seeing a 'curious aquatic plant with cuculate spongy leaves' and Nymphia lotus [Nymphaea lotus] with a beautiful small yellow flower. Going 'with a man' in the afternoon to collect bulbs of Amaryllis, roots of Tacca and seeds of a very curious palm, perhaps an Elaeis
(24 Apr 1822) Going out to shoot birds for Edward Sabine. Suffering all night from a headache due to the walk
(25 Apr 1822) Packing up a small box of Tacca ('perhaps pinnatifida' [Tacca leontopetaloides]) and an Amaryllis ('perhaps giganteum' [Brunsvigia josephiniae]). 'Governor Smith [John Hope Smith, British governor of Gold Coast] was so good as [to] send a man to a distance to bring some of a berry they call the miraculous berry'. Returning on board. Sailing from Cape Coast
(27 Apr 1822) Anchoring at Accra [Ghana]. Going on shore in the evening. Dining with Mr Bannerman [?Henry Bannerman, officer and trader in the Royal Africa Company], 'who was very kind'. Lodging at the Fort with Captain Blenkarne [William Henry Blenkarne, captain in the Company of Merchants, commandant of the Royal African Light Infantry in Accra]
(28 Apr 1822) Proceeding to Danish Accra [Accra, Ghana] at 5am. Seeing many curious plants, including a small plant related to Aristolochia, 'the roots of which the natives eat raw, and another plant the roots of which they use in the same way and appears to me to belong to the same genus', but collecting no specimens. Seeing a strange species of Epidendrum with tuberous roots, palms including a species of Corypha and another related to Elate [Elaeis], Haemanthus multiflorus [Scadoxus multiflorus], Amaryllis ornata [Crinum ornatum], a 'strange shrub' and Monandria monogynia with scarlet flowers
The country beautiful: 'the trees and shrubs are so regularly dispersed that you would almost suppose it was cultivated'. The vegetation less varied than in Sierra Leone, 'which accounts for the herbarium of Afzelius [Adam Afzelius, Swedish botanist, who collected specimens in Sierra Leone in the 1790s] being far superior to that of Brass [William Brass, botanist, who collected specimens in Africa in the 1780s] from Cape Coast'. Due to the surf, boats unable to land on the beach: 'people are obliged to land in flat-bottomed canoes'
(29 Apr 1822) Packing tuberous and bulbous roots collected the previous day in the box packed at Cape Coast. Sending it on a schooner to England. In the afternoon, going in a different direction than the day before. Collecting roots of Gloriosa superba
(30 Apr 1822) Shooting 'a few birds' in the morning. Collecting seeds, including a tree with pinnated leaves and delicious fruit. Sailing from Accra in the afternoon. Arranging seeds and specimens
(2 May 1822) Anchoring off Little Popoe [Aneho, Togo], a small village surrounded by palm trees
(4 May 1822) Sailing. Anchoring off Widah [Ouidah, Benin]. 'There were four Portuguese vessels which we suspected to be slaving. This place is similar to that of Little Popoe'
(5 May 1822) Sailing from Widah
(8 May 1822) One of the marines dying of fever, 'a person who attended Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine] at Sierra Leone'
(9 May 1822) The marine buried in the sea 'after the usual commemory'. In the afternoon 'a very large shark caught'
(14 May 1822) Passing the north side of the island of St Thomas [Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe]. Seeing HMS Iphigenia. The island mountainous and covered in trees, including coconut trees, with some spots destitute of trees and covered with grass
(15 May 1822) Passing Cabretta Island [Cabras Islet, Sao Tome and Principe]. Anchoring off the town of St Ann de Chaves [Ana Chaves Bay, Sao Tome and Principe]
(16 May 1822) Edward Sabine and Douglas Clavering going on shore in the morning. 'Our master [naval officer responsible for navigation] died about 10 o'clock am'. Edward Sabine returning to inform that there would be trouble in finding accommodation, advising Don to 'take a room or two as soon as possible'
(17 May 1822) Going on shore at the town of St Ann de Chaves [Ana Chaves Bay] in the morning. Breakfasting with Mr Fernandez [John Fernandez, British vice-consul and merchant in St Thomas], 'a person whom the commodore [Robert Mends] had appointed as British free consul'
Going to see the town. Seeing common fruits, including banana, sour sop, pineapple, guava and yams [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more fruits and plants]. Seeing in the market place the 'yellow plum of Afzelius' in rows providing shelter from sun for the people buying and selling in the market. Seeing in the town plants including Cleome, Aloe barbadensis, Jatropha curcas, Bignonia and Serratula [here the journal includes a list of approximately 5 more plants]. Describing the people as kind, and the town as regular with wooden houses
(18 May 1822) Going out to collect seeds in the morning near the town. Seeing a species of Verea on the walls of a church garden. Being informed by Edward Sabine, having received a letter from the governor [Joao Baptista da Silva, governor of St Thomas] 'that it was not allowed that Captain Sabine should use his instruments here, and that no person would be allowed to go without the limits of the town, which put an end to our expectations'. Sabine writing a letter to the governor, but not waiting for an answer. Going on board. Sailing for Man of War Bay [?Micolo, Sao Tome and Principe] 10 miles away, for wood and water. Buying some fruits but not being able to ascertain their names. The people 'depend upon proceeds for subsistence as every thing they eat grows in a wild state'. Obliged to stay at sea due to a strong breeze
(19 May 1822) Spending the night at sea due to the strong breeze. Anchoring in the afternoon at Man of War Bay [?Micolo]. Going with Edward Sabine in the evening 'to see a house which we were told was uninhabited but when we reached nearer we found it inhabited by soldiers whom we were of opinion they had been sent to prohibit Captain Sabine from making observations'. The beach covered in coconut and oil palm trees and a species of Corypha about 100 feet high ('the noblest trees'). Returning on board in the evening
(20 May 1822) Going on shore in the morning. Travelling about four miles 'in hopes of falling in with something good, but was entirely disappointed'. Seeing nothing in flower except species of Crotalaria, Hedysarum and Convolvulus. Walking difficult due to tall grass and no paths. Seeing large trees of Bombax, Adansonia, mango ('probably has been introduced'), the yellow or hog plum, tamarind, banana, plantain and pineapple, 'which the natives assure me are natives of this island and they have every appearance of being so', but guava, sweet and sour sop apple and papaya had been introduced
Returning on board the ship in the evening 'very much disappointed with my day's excursion as the appearance of the island from the ship promised something more interesting'. Edward Sabine receiving a response to his letter of 18 May, saying that he would be allowed to make observations, but Don would not be allowed to travel into the island's interior
(21 May 1822) Going on shore. Walking about three miles 'in a different direction to which I did the day before'. Seeing in the damp thicket a Pancratium [annotated: 'a new species'], a species of Mirabilis and a curious species of Dioscorea with lobed leaves. Returning on board at 6pm
(22 May 1822) Edward Sabine securing a house in Man of War Bay [?Micolo] for his observations. Going south. Seeing a beautiful tree 100 feet high, 'bearing a fruit about twice the size of a man's head, the seeds of which the inhabitants boil and eat', a beautiful Hernandia and many orange and lime trees in the woods. On the return journey, seeing a beautiful tree of Pandanus candelabrum, 120 feet high, 'branching in whorls', with several pendulous fruit which were not ripe. Seeing Pancratium, mentioned before. Having difficulties on the return journey due to there being no paths and reaching the ship finally, 'but not without getting both plants, specimens and myself wet owing to the surf'
(23 May 1822) Seeing for the first time the safu [safou] tree, 'although I had seen the fruit before', a large tree with pinnated leaves and black fruit, the size of a hen's egg with a bitter flavour when first eaten, but becoming sweet: 'they eat the outer rind' [annotated: 'see Brown [Robert Brown, botanist and former librarian at the Linnaean Society] on the esculent vegetables']. Returning on board
(24 May 1822) Taking 'a quantity of paper' on shore, intending to dry specimens and sleep on shore. Going 10 miles south 'into the thicket'. Seeing Pandanus candelabrum and jakensii [jackfruit], the fruit mentioned before: 'I am rather of opinion that this is the Napoleona Imperialis [Napoleonaea imperialis]'. Seeing many cola trees and a large tree with pinnated leaves, 'bearing fruit about the size of a bullace plum with the native name zanzee [Pseudospondias microcarpa]'. Seeing a troop of monkeys of 'no less than a 100 I am pretty sure'. Returning at 9pm
(25 May 1822) Going five miles out but 'met with nothing particular except a species of Arum allied to Arum atropurpureum [?Arisaema triphyllum]'
(26 May 1822) Bringing his cot and boxes on shore. Seeing a very strange broad-leaved scitamineous plant and some large fruit of the jakansii [jackfruit]. Seeing 'the process of clearing the seeds from the pulp by beating and squeezing in a bag, somewhat like those the butchers in London use for carrying their meat in', taking the skin off the seeds and boiling it. The resulting substance being an 'excellent substitution' for rice. The tree very common
(27 May 1822) Going south-west of the Plantation House [Fish House] with 'two marines and one black'. Travelling for about three miles in the long grass. Seeing nothing in particular, except a species of Cleome. Entering a thicket, travelling about 10 miles, 'until we were quite fatigued, that we were obliged to chew the leaves of a strange species of Adiantum'. Seeing four kinds of trees in the forest: Sterculia acuminata or colla [Cola acuminata], a species of Spondias, 'the yellow plum of Sierra Leone', a tree similar to Myrtus pimenta [Pimenta dioica] 'but without scent' and 'a very tall straight tree, sometimes 100 feet before you reach the branches'. Being unable to find fruit or branches to ascertain what it was. On the return journey, seeing a beautiful shrub covered with white flowers, describing the leaves. 'We reached some huts[?], they refused to give us water but on account of our thirst we were obliged to take it, there was no resistance'. Returning in the evening
(28 May 1822) Going out to collect roots of Amaryllis gigantea [Brunsvigia josephiniae] ('doubtful'). Collecting two very large bulbs 'not in flower but by appearance very different from the former Crinum'. Seeing a large Aletris tree. Returning in the evening
(29 May 1822) Going along the beach to the town of St Ann de Chaves [Ana Chaves Bay], 10 miles away. The beach covered with a beautiful species of Ipomoea and Dolichos ('see specimens'), common throughout tropical Africa. Seeing many trees of Corypha or Raphia: 'the tree is dioecious as I have seen both sexes'. Seeing Cyperus papyrus growing on the edges of a rivulet, and Adansonia trees in fruit. Returning after dark. The road 'rather bad all the way, but having to pass through long grass makes it difficult'
(30 May 1822) Going south-west of the Plantation House [Fish House]. Seeing jakansii [jackfruit] growing in a thicket of palm trees by a rivulet. Monkeys appearing to be fond of the seeds: 'I observed innumerable quantities of them flying from every one of these trees as we approached, leaping along their tops with great alacrity'. Seeing many strange ferns, including a subarborescent species with the leaf single-pinnated [annotated: 'Achrosticum aureum']. Seeing Piperomia, a strange didynamous plant and many safu [safou] trees. The country very low and damp. Returning in the evening
(31 May 1822) Going to cut down 'a male and female tree of Corypha' in the morning, but finding the wood too hard to cut: 'we were obliged to give up the thoughts of ever being able to get a specimen by cutting the tree down'. Getting 'a man' to climb the tree, but without success. Sending the man for a rope to attempt to get up the tree 'the same way the people get up the Elais [Elaeis]', but having to abandon the idea of obtaining specimens, as the man did not return
Going to the top of the Convent Hill. The convent surrounded by a species of Ficus ('indica?') [Ficus drupacea]. Going in the convent. Excellent views from the hill of the town and surrounding areas. After descending, seeing marsh covered in Jossieu exaltata [Jussiaea exaltata], Sparganophora[?] [Sparganophorus], many species of Cyperus[?], Polygonum[?] [annotated: 'glabrum'] [?Persicaria glabra], Convolvulus 'Cemetina parviflora?[?]'. The marsh surrounded by palm trees. Returning in the evening
(1 Jun 1822) Catching a crayfish in a nearby river in the morning, Edward Sabine believing it to be a new species. Seeing two species of Jussiaea and a Convolvulus. In the afternoon, going eight miles to a hill 'where I heard a great noise', seeing monkeys 'busily employed in eating the fruit of a species of Laurus, allied to Laurus cinnamomum [Cinnamomum verum] but without flavour'. Seeing a strange species of [illegible word] [the later copies of the journal read 'Tragia pedunculata [Tragia volubilis]'] and 'great droves' of parcheets [parakeets] on the return journey
(2 Jun 1822) Staying indoors due to chest pain
(3 Jun 1822) Setting out towards the east with two sailors, 'the one for shooting birds for Captain Sabine [Edward Sabine], the other for carrying my specimens'. Walking several miles in the bush. Arriving at beautiful plantations of banana, plantain, cassava, safu [safou], jakansii [jackfruit], Bombax, guava, lime, orange, mango and pomegranate. Seeing a curious species of Costus, 12 feet high with scarlet flowers, and 'a strange plicated round-leaved bulbous plant which I did not see in flower'
(4 Jun 1822) Collecting seeds of 'piacella of the natives' (Pandanus candelabrum). Finding a man with ropes for climbing palm trees, the tree being difficult to climb. Succeeding in acquiring fruit. The most common trees jakansii [jackfruit], cola, safu [safou], oghigee, noontwey ('a tree similar to Chrysophylla cainito [Chrysophyllum cainito] but very different the fruit'), pasco [?mata-passo, Pentadesma butyracea] 'although with pinnated leaves similar to safu [safou]'. Collecting juice of cassia
(5 Jun 1822) Succeeding in finding fruit of Corypha 'although with great difficulty owing to its thickness near the top'. Collecting young plants of Pandanus candelabrum
(6 Jun 1822) Searching for Laurus cinnamomum [Cinnamomum verum], 'which I understand to be wild in this island', and known by the name of canella. Hiring a guide to find it. Setting out in the morning towards the east, walking at a rate of four miles an hour. The journey taking five and a half hours, including crossing several mountains
Seeing trees in the forest including Laurus, Sterculia acuminata [Cola acuminata], jakansii [jackfruit], valapley [valaple, Turraea vogelii], Meinda [unidentified] ('which I have spoke of before as resembling Myrtus piamenta, but without scent'), noontwey ('a tree resembling Chrysophyllum cainito'). Seeing Laurus cinnamomum [Cinnamomum verum]. Noting that, growing near plantations of plantain, banana, coffee and guava, it seemed likely they were planted and had spread from the plantations. Collecting a few small plants of another cinnamon species to plant in the boxes for sending home. Returning late [annotated: 'there was also about the shrubs of this forest some of the Christmas bush of Sierra Leone, bushy bushy of St Thomas & [illegible word]']
(7 Jun 1822) Collecting more juice of cassa [cassia]. Seeing nothing worth mentioning except the Musango [Musanga], a species of Ficus related to indica [Ficus drupacea]. Putting up the seeds that had been drying
(8 Jun 1822) Setting out for the Peak of St Thomas [Pico de Sao Tome] in the morning with 'three black guides', but 'we had not gone many miles before the guides got tired and refused to proceed so they left'. Continuing with a marine
Breakfasting at the Ville de Guadaloupe [Guadalupe, Sao Tome], 'a small town with about 12 houses'. Being unable to reach the peak due to the impenetrable thicket which would have required two days' work to cut a path through: 'there was no time for this process as the ship sails 2 days hence and I have all my specimens, seeds and plants to pack'
Seeing Celosia castrensis [Celosia argentea], a tree belonging to the order of Pentandria monogyna. The forest composed of the same trees as that in the lower part of the island, including Sterculia acuminata [Cola acuminata], Pandanus candelabrum, safu [safou], Adansonia and Bombax [here the journal includes a list of approximately 10 more trees]. Seeing numerous monkeys. Passing plantations with coffee, cassava, banana, plantain, papaw [papaya], orange, lime, mango etc. Seeing a 'greaty quantity' of Spondias. Returning late in the evening 'much fatigued'. Noting that 'the island is nearly destitute of Epidendrum as far as I have seen'
(9 Jun 1822) Preparing specimens and seeds for packing
(10 Jun 1822) Planting two boxes of living plants. Packing one box of seeds and specimens, one of bulbs with fruit of Pandanus candelabrum, one matted parcel containing a branch of Pandanus and two bundles of the fruit of Corypha
(11 Jun 1822) Setting out in the morning in a boat for the town nine miles away [Ana Chaves Bay], with four boxes and the matted parcel. One box containing living plants, the second seeds and specimens, the third fruits and bulbs, the fourth belonging to Edward Sabine, and the matted parcel containing a branch of Pandanus and two bundles of the fruit of Corypha. Delivering them to John Fernandez, 'who is acting vice-consul and who is to take them home in his own ship the Eclipse [a merchant ship]'. Returning, 'got my things on board'. Sailing from St Thomas [Sao Tome]
(14 Jun 1822) 'I was seized with a violent fever'
(25 Jun 1822) Anchoring off Ascension Island [British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha]. 'I am a little better, all the marines died who was on shore with me and who at times accompanied me'
(6 Jul 1822) Recovering: 'I have been able these four days past to walk a little and is getting stouter every day'. Being offered a mule by one of the officers on shore to go to the top of the Green Mountain to the gardens 'and where there is one of the lieutenants stationed', seven or eight miles away. The road to the mountain good and level for the first four miles, 'but after that it is almost perpendicular'. Accompanied by a marine sent by the governor, Major Campbell [John Campbell, British Royal Marine commander at Ascension Island] 'to lead the mule easily up & down the hill as I was very weak myself from the effect of the fever'
For the first four miles, seeing nothing but Portulacea oleracea [Portulaca oleracea], used like spinach ('very good'), and a species of Euphorbia with round, serrated, perforated leaves. Seeing purslane growing on the mountain with a species of Sonchus related to oleracea [Sonchus oleraceus] 'and perhaps not different, it is very dwarf, but that may be owing to the island being nothing more than decomposed lava'. Listing and numbering the plants seen on the mountain, including a species of Spermacocea ('a beautiful little shrub with white flowers', Polycarpia tetraphylla [Polycarpon tetraphyllum]), Physalis pubescens ('what is called by the people the St Helena gooseberry, the berries are yellow the flowers spotted with black, they are much esteemed in the island and are excellent when made into a pie'), a species of Hibiscus ('beautiful, called by the people St Helena Rock'), two species of Asplenum, several Gramine [Gramineae] and lichens, 'but very few mosses' [here the journal includes a list of 8 more plants]
Listing and numbering the plants growing in the gardens 'which have been introduced from St Helena [Saint Helena, British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha], including Melia azedarach, Guilandina bonduc, Agave angustifolia, Recinus [Ricinus] species, Mesembryanthemum edule [Carpobrotus edulis], Narcissus and a species of Crotalaria. The kitchen garden, 'laid out in very good style', on the north side. On the south side another garden including the same plants as the north garden, and some plantain trees. Collecting specimens on the return journey. The hill including much vegetation but Don too tired to walk and riding the mule instead. Returning at 7pm. Resting until the boat was ready to return them to the ship
(8 Jul 1822) 'The fever returned upon me almost as severe as ever'
(9 Jul 1822) Sailing from Ascension Island
(18 Jul 1822) Anchoring at Bahia St Salvador [Salvador, Brazil]: 'there is a great quantity of shipping [and] the town has a beautiful appearance from the harbour'. The inhabitants expecting 'a fleet of the Independents here every day from Rio Janeiro [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil] and has put the people in great consternation [referring to the Siege of Salvador during the Brazilian War of Independence]'. Recovering fast from the fever
(20 Jul 1822) Going on shore to see the town. The houses irregularly placed, some four to six storeys high, all whitewashed 'which has a beautiful appearance'. The town in 'great confusion', with preparations for a battle
Seeing 'nothing in particular' in a beautifully laid out pleasure ground at the south-west end of the town, except a broad-leaved pinnatifid tree. Seeing Mangifera, ficus, orange, Eugenia jambos [Syzygium jambos] with hedges of Plinia pedunculata [Eugenia uniflora], and in the town a species of ficus ('perhaps benjamina [Ficus benjamina]'), also found in many small villages in Africa and 'called in the British settlement the umbrella tree'. Walking 'till I was quite fatigued'
(21 Jul 1822) The fever returning, 'slighter than before, but these attacks after a little fatigue make me now a little afraid to venture on shore until I am perfectly recovered'
(27 Jul 1822) Going to 'the English consul's [William Pennell, British consul in Bahia]' to see Edward Sabine. Seeing 'nothing particular' in Pennel's garden except Mangifera, Artocarpus integrifolia [Artocarpus integer], Eugenia jambos [Syzygium jambos], orange and lime. 'The weeds in the garden were mostly new to me'. Sleeping at Pennel's house
(28 Jul 1822) Going about three miles into the country, cultivated for several miles from the city. Concluding that due to his weakness and 'the country people at a little distance from the town being in such alarm it would be dangerous to venture, although I was perfectly stout enough'. Seeing in the small gardens 'in front of some gentlemen's houses' beautiful trees of the double flowering oleander. Returning for breakfast at William Pennell's house. Boarding the ship
(31 Jul 1822) Going to William Pennell's house two miles from the town. In the afternoon, walking for about two and a half miles. Seeing plenty of trees cultivated: Mangifera indica, Artocarpus integrifolia [Artocarpus integer], Eugenia jambos [Syzygium jambos], Cacus nucifera [Cocos nucifera], Elais guineensis [Elaeis guineensis], orange and lime. Seeing a plant, possibly Agilea grandiflora, some species of Ageratum related to coelestinum [Ageratum corymbosum] and several species of Melastoma, damp meadows covered with Iris in flower ('perhaps Iris martinicensis [Trimezia martinicensis]') and a species of Hypoxis, both with yellow flowers
(1 Aug 1822) Going out early to collect fruit of the Melastoma seen the previous day. The trees covered with a species of Tillandsia closely related to ligulata [Guzmania lingulata]. Raining hard, 'which prevented me from going out'
(2 Aug 1822) Going to take up roots of Iris and Hypoxis. Seeing on the roadside a beautiful species of Oncidium with spotted leaves. Boarding the ship in the afternoon. Fetching a trowel to take up the roots of a beautiful Arum pictum with white streaked leaves
(3 Aug 1822) Wet day. Going on shore in the afternoon. Staying the night at William Pennell's house
(4 Aug 1822) Wet morning. Rising late. Collecting specimens of two or three species of Adiantum and plants of a large species of lobe-leaved Begonia with small white flowers, in a thicket by the seashore
(5 Aug 1822) Going three miles out. Seeing a beautiful monadelphous, monogynous, glutinous plant with cordate leaves, 'resembling in habit Chironia decussata flowers, the same size and colour'. Seeing a curious species of orchid with yellow flowers and many curious ferns in a damp place in a grove of Melastoma. Collecting on the return journey specimens of a beautiful Clematis with fragrant flowers and a species of Lantana six inches high with red flowers
(6 Aug 1822) Packing specimens and 'other articles'. Boarding the ship in the afternoon
(7 Aug 1822) Sailing from Bahia St Salvador [Salvador] after breakfast
(16 Aug 1822) Anchoring off Pernambuco [Brazil]. Landing at 11am. Going 'a little way into the country'. Seeing fields planted with Jatropha manihot [Manihot esculenta], Sacharum officiniarum [Saccharum officiniarum] and Gossipeum [Gossypium]. Seeing on the sides of the road near the town plenty of Turnera brasiliensis. Seeing a beautiful mimosa, about 15 feet high, and in the marshes a beautiful, blue-flowered plant with cordated leaves and flowers, Pontadera [Pontederia], a beautiful Chironia with copper coloured flowers and Calceolaria ('one of which has a beautiful dark blue flower')
The country very low and marshy, the town more regular and compact but smaller than Bahia [Brazil]. Boarding the ship and sailing about 8pm
(20 Aug 1822) Anchoring off Maranham [Maranhao, Brazil]
(21 Aug 1822) Going on shore to search for lodgings, 'but found them very difficult to get'
(22 Aug 1822) Hiring a room at a hotel, 'although but an indifferent one'. Going on board in the afternoon to bring his belongings on shore
(23 Aug 1822) Hiring 'an English man'. Going out in the morning. Seeing about six species of palm trees. Intending to collect specimens in the following days, including a species of Bactris, and other curious plants not yet in English gardens. Intending to collect specimens of as many as possible. Collecting bulbs of three species of Amaryllis in a thicket of low growing trees
(24 Aug 1822) Setting out at daybreak for a marsh six miles from the town. Seeing many species of Melastoma and several other marsh plants. Seeing in the plantations Artocarpus incisa [Artocarpus altilis] bearing fruit. Returning in the evening. Finding the town beautifully illuminated and a band playing [the independence of Brazil was to be declared 7 Sep 1822; the festivities were perhaps in preparation for that]
(25 Aug 1822) Viewing the gardens in the town: 'they are in a very rough state'. Commonly cultivated trees including mango, breadfruit, alligator pear [avocado], jenepop apple [?quenepa] ('a tree that bears a fruit about the size of a common pear') and otimbera [?pitomba] ('tree with pinnated leaves bearing fruit about the size of a currant'). Visiting 'the garden that Newman [?John Newman, botanist] was in, but there is hardly any thing' except amaranth, cockscombs and Vinca rosea var. alba [Catharanthus roseus]
(26 Aug 1822) Setting out at 6am in a canoe up the river to see a tree of Castania de Parra or Berholetia excelsa [castanha-do-para, Bertholletia excelsa], hoping to find it in flower, but finding the tree without flower or fruit. Not seeing anything else in particular. Shooting birds by the river from the canoe. The riversides covered with mangroves in low places, and on the elevated banks with palm trees, two or three species of Eugenia, several species of Banisteria with beautiful golden flowers and two or three species of Bryonia with red flowers. Returning at 10pm
(27 Aug 1822) Being 'obliged to part with my man through drunkenness and laziness'. Complaining that the man 'would say he had not been accustomed to such hard work as trailing in the woods although he was a sailor'. Hiring 'a black'. Going out. Seeing 'nothing in particular', except a large tree of Carica spinosa [Jacaratia spinosa] and some trees of Carolinea in flower 'which had a beautiful appearance'
Rain in the afternoon. Finding on his return the windows in his room left open and the room full of water, and 'my specimens and seeds all wet which gave me a great deal of trouble to change the paper of them particularly as I was perfectly wet myself'
Seeing for the first time the beautiful Talagalea campestris [Amasonia campestris] and a beautiful plant with yellow flowers, 'Arelia grandiflora pencil marked Alamanda cathartica [Allamanda cathartica] which is probably wrong'
(28 Aug 1822) Going into the interior of the island. Seeing for the first time Heliconia bihai in flower: 'when I first saw it I thought it must be something fresh but found upon examining the description that it was nothing else, as it had a different appearance to that which we have growing in Europe'. Seeing on the roadsides many species of Exacum, and plenty of Talagalea campestris [Amasonia campestris]. Returning in the evening 'very much fatigued' [annotated: 'the Heliconia I speak of here I found to be perfectly different from bihai after examining the two species at Trinidad']
(29 Aug 1822) Looking over seeds and specimens collected. Going out in the afternoon. Seeing 'nothing particular' by the seashore. Seeing Carolinea in flower and a curious species of piper 'perhaps longum' [Piper longum]
(30 Aug 1822) Going five miles from town along the seashore. Collecting several seeds and specimens. Seeing many beautiful flowers, including several species of Bignonia, Allamanda, Carolinea and Talagalia in the woods. The roadsides covered with Turnera and a small trailing Hibiscus. Returning to prepare for 'a small journey of 15 or 18 miles tomorrow to the Villa de Pasto [?the consul's residence]' [crossed out: 'the consul [Robert Hesketh, British consul in Maranham] is so good as [to] let me have a horse & a guide to the place']
(31 Aug 1822) Setting out in a canoe in the morning with John Smith, a guide and an interpreter, for Benfica [unidentified, Brazil], a distance of eight or ten miles by land and 12 miles by water. Complaining of the guide being drunk and the canoe men lazy. Reaching Benfica just before dark. Seeing Rhizophora growing on the sides of the river
(1 Sep 1822) Going out early in the morning. The country low and marshy, 'clothed with various species of Melastoma', particularly aquaticus [Nepsera aquatica] and physophora [Tococa guianensis], Caladium esculentum [Colocasia esculenta] and Costus speciosa [Costus speciosus], and palm trees growing in the drier areas. Collecting specimens and seeds
(2 Sep 1822) Packing up specimens and seeds. John Smith packing his birds. Sending them to town 'by a canoe with a man, our guide whom we were glad to get rid of owing to his conduct', having been constantly drunk. Travelling home with Smith by land. Seeing 'nothing curious', except Viola ipecacuanha [Hybanthus calceolaria], the roadsides covered with Alamande cathartica [Allamanda cathartica], two or three species of Bignonia and Isertia coccinea, all in flower. Returning at 8pm
(3 Sep 1822) Turning specimens. Going out to collect young palm trees
(4 Sep 1822) Going 'a great distance' for young palm trees to fill up a box. Planting the box in the afternoon
(5 Sep 1822) Packing
(6 Sep 1822) Boarding the ship. Sailing in the evening. 'I have been very ill all this [day] and last day'
(7 Sep 1822) 'Continue very ill with the dysentery'
(16 Sep 1822) Seeing the island of Trinidad [Trinidad and Tobago]
(17 Sep 1822) Weather very calm. Slow progress
(18 Sep 1822) 'Drove back by the current, no wind, thunderstorm'
(19 Sep 1822) 'Rather squally with thunder and rain'. Anchoring off Trinidad. Seeing the Epithemus frigate and Icarus sloop [single mast sailing boat] anchored. The island very mountainous, covered with trees
(20 Sep 1822) Going on shore. Meeting Lockhart [David Lockhart, botanist and gardener in Trinidad]. Walking through the town and the outskirts. Going to St Ann's, the governor's [Ralph Woodford, British governor of Trinidad] house and the Botanic Garden, at the foot of a mountain range two miles from Porto Espana [Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago]. The garden not quite ready but with many fine plants and trees. Returning to the town to hire a boat to bring belongings on shore but unable to do so late in the evening. Staying at an inn for the night
(21 Sep 1822) Going to the wharf early in the morning to wait until a boat from the ship came on shore. Bringing his belongings on shore. Wet day. Staying in town until the afternoon. Hiring a cart to take boxes to St Ann's [governor's residence] 'where I am to stop'
(22 Sep 1822) Setting out after breakfast with David Lockhart for the top of a mountain range six miles away. Seeing hedges around the plantations composed of Haematoxylon campechianum [Haematoxylum campechianum], resembling a thorn. Seeing a large species of Heliconia, Heliconia bihai, different from the one in Maranham [Maranhao], possibly a new species. Seeing 'many old faces', including Hura crepitans. Seeing an interesting species of Maranta, and several curious ferns. Returning in the evening 'very much fatigued'
(23 Sep 1822) Setting off with David Lockhart up the valley north-west of the town, surrounded by two mountain ranges. Seeing many very fine palms growing on the mountains with other trees, with Coccus fusiformis [Acrocomia aculeata] and Elais occidentalis [Calyptronoma occidentalis]. Seeing on the lower parts of the mountains Areca catechu, Areca oleracea [Roystonea oleracea] 'and a new species, a slender plant', Bactris minor [Bactris guineensis], 'with two or three climbing ones'. Seeing many species of Melastoma, Blackia quinquinervia [Bellucia grossularioides], many curious ferns, a species of Mikania, the guacca [Mikania guaco] and Thunbergia fragrans. Returning late in the evening. Seeing on the roadsides plenty of Pancratium carabeum [Hymenocallis caribaea], Pothos odorata [Spathiphyllum cannifolium] and Besleria pulchella [Chrysothemis pulchella]
(24 Sep 1822) 'Logan [unidentified] died yesterday and Lochart [David Lockhart] being the only executor of his affairs he could not attend me today'. Putting seeds and specimens in order. Collecting insects. Collecting esculent fruits and immersing fruits in spirits
(25 Sep 1822) Going to a valley near the town. Seeing several 'curious' plants, including a 'very fine' Fothergilla at the top of the mountain and several Epidendrum in the valley. Rain surprising them at the top of the mountain: 'we were obliged to retreat'. Returning 'very much fatigued and wet'
(26 Sep 1822) Hiring a boat to go to Shaguen [Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago], 12 miles west of Port of Spain. Landing at 3pm. Raining hard all the way. The commandant of the quarter travelling on the same boat. Riding on mules to his house. Staying for the night
(27 Sep 1822) Going to a wood near the commandant's house early in the morning. Seeing trees covered with parasitical plants, having recently been cut down. Collecting many curious Epidendrum, Peperomia, Pothos and some parasitic ferns, intending to send these home by the HMS Morgiana
Seeing plantations, mostly sugar cane and cacao, shaded with rows of a beautiful large species of Erythrina. Heavy rain on return, 'which caused us to seek for shelter but we were completely wet before we got sheltered'. Staying the night at a 'manager's house near the place where we were to embark'
(28 Sep 1822) Embarking in a canoe, but having to push the canoe through the mud in the low tide. Reaching Port of Spain at 2pm. After refreshments, returning to the governor's house at St Ann's [the governor's residence]. Packing a box of Epidendrum with many curious scitamineous plants
(29 Sep 1822) Going in the morning to inform Edward Sabine 'that I had a box ready to send per HMS Morgiana, which is to sail this evening'. Returning to St Ann's. Sending the box and two letters down to Port of Spain. Turning specimens in the afternoon
(30 Sep 1822) Setting out in the evening on mules with David Lockhart for the valley of Maraccas [Maracas, Trinidad and Tobago] 15 miles away. Intending to climb the highest mountain the following morning. Passing through the town of St Joseph [Trinidad and Tobago] at 9pm. Arriving at the valley at 1am, 'where we rested at a planter's'
(1 Oct 1822) Setting out in the morning for Lesqueves [Las Cuevas, Trinidad and Tobago] 10 or 12 miles away, 'to a plantation whereof Lockhart [David Lockhart] knew where we had to go'. Passing over a large mountain. Seeing many strange plants, particularly ferns, a species of Podocarpus and many other interesting plants, but none in flower or fruit
Descending to the other side of the mountain, but being caught in rain, thunder and lightning. Reaching 'the house where we were to stop' at 5pm and borrowing clothes, having spent four or five hours out in the rain. Being informed of the impossibility of reaching the top of the highest mountain in the rain, 'as at this season of the year it was almost perpetual rain' and the visit would have taken at least two days
(2 Oct 1822) Walking down to the sea in the morning with David Lockhart. Seeing plenty of Remirea maritima and Cocoloba uvifera [Coccoloba uvifera] in fruit. Hiring a boat after breakfast to Little Mariacus [?Maracas Bay, Trinidad and Tobago]. Raining the whole journey. Proceeding to Port of Spain. Climbing two steep hills
Reaching Santa Cruz [Trinidad and Tobago] after dark, at the foot of the last mountain. Leaving his baggage at the house of the commandant of Santa Cruz. Returning to St Ann's at 2am
(3 Oct 1822) Looking over specimens and seeds. Raining
(4 Oct 1822) Going on board in the morning. Bringing on shore two or three plants of Pandanus candelabrum, one jakansii [jackfruit] and one cola (Sterculia acuminata) [Cola acuminata] to plant in the governor's garden. Turning and drying specimens
(5 Oct 1822) Immersing fruits in spirits. In the afternoon going to town to buy 'some articles which I was in great need of'. Going with David Lockhart to see Baron de Shack [Edward de Shack, Austrian botanist in Trinidad], but finding him very ill, recovering from a fever. Seeing 'nothing growing about his house of any note'
(6 Oct 1822) Setting out for a valley eight miles north-east of the town with David Lockhart. Seeing a beautiful species of Blakea. At the end of the valley seeing plenty of cultivated Curcuma zedoara [Curcuma zedoaria], Curcuma longa, Arum esculentum [Colocasia esculenta] and Arum atropurpureum [?Arisaema triphyllum]. The valley surrounded by 'immense ridges of mountains which has a beautiful effect'
(7 Oct 1822) Going with David Lockhart to the top of a ridge of mountains to the east of the town on the right of the valley of Maraval [Trinidad and Tobago]. Being 'obliged to retreat' due to the roads being flooded in the rain. Seeing several interesting scitamineous plants on the way up, including a 'curious' Passiflora
Going up the valley of Maraval for three miles 'to a gentleman's house' with curious plants: 'there is a great noise about a species of Oncidium [Psychopsis papilio] with light coloured leaves, spotted, which is called the vegetable butterfly, vide [see] plants sent home'
(8 Oct 1822) Packing. Preparing to board the ship the following morning
(9 Oct 1822) Boarding the ship, but returning on shore after being informed the ship would not sail until the following morning. Going with David Lockhart to Edward de Shack's to try and obtain a specimen of the vegetable butterfly plant Oncidium [Psychopsis papilio] with a curious flower the same colour as Ferraria tigrida [Tigridia pavonia]. Noting that plants had been sent on board HMS Morgiana
(10 Oct 1822) Boarding the ship after breakfast. Sailing from Trinidad
(16 Oct 1822) Seeing the island of Jamaica, 'but the sea breeze ceasing and the land wind setting in, we were obliged to heave [slow or stop] off and on all night'
(17 Oct 1822) Anchoring in Port Royal [Jamaica]
(18 Oct 1822) Going on shore at Port Royal. Going in a wherry [large light barge or light rowing boat] to Kingston [Jamaica] seven miles away. Going to an inn to enquire after Mr Higson [Thomas Higson, slave holder, merchant and botanist in Jamaica] and Dr West [Stewart West, physician and botanist in Jamaica]. Being informed that Higson 'had absconded from Kingston and had left his affairs in a very bad way'. Stewart West difficult to reach at Bath Saint Thomas's [Jamaica], 30 miles away, and the river difficult to navigate in the wet season. Hiring a canoe. Returning on board
(19 Oct 1822) Wet day. Not being well, 'I did not think it advisable to go out'.
Extent - 1 volume
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