Manasseh Cutler Papers

MDS. FWR June 6 1790 I received with pleasure your favor May 30 with the enclosed speciman. It is the Geranium macrohizum common cranesbill described in my Bot'cl. paper p. 46g. Linn. Gerr. Plant. [crossed out] is [end crossed out] Editio novissima] Vienna. No 832--Syst. Vegetabilium [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] Gen. 832. Spec. 47. If you attend to the blossoms just [inserted] as they are [end inserted] expanding , you will find the filaments are united together at their base, & seperate at the top. It is therefore, not decandria monogynia , but monadelphia decandria. When the blossom] is considerably advanced the cohesion of the bottom of the filaments is hardly perceptable, & would be naturally supposed to belong to the Decandria monogy nia. [crossed out] In my botanical paper [illegible] [end crossed out] The [Specim?] [crossed out] you have [end crossed out] [inserted] with [wch?] you have [end inserted], favored me [crossed out] with [end crossed out] has led me to detect an error in my my paper wh. I had not before discovered. [crossed out] I recognized the plant the moment [end crossed out] [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] [crossed out] your letter instantly recognized the plant [end crossed out] I recognized the plant instantly on opening your letter, but [inserted] [illegible] wh. I have found [end inserted] I wished to compare [crossed out] the [end crossed out] its specific character with those found in this vicinity, which I find to be the same with yours--but it is not the [Specm. ?. I supposed it to be & wh. I have called it my paper. The plant is annual and approaches nearer to the Grn. Carolinianuma than

than to the macrorhizum. It does not perfectly correspond with the Carob for the Petals are not marginated nor the leaves properly multifid. It corresponds best with G. incanum, but I suspect it is not the same for Lin nous in his Spec. Plant. has given a Lynon [?Boy?] [illegible] 331 & [illegible] ger. 26 [illegible] where the leaves are described differently from our "foliis multipartitis - laciniis linearibus." I am therefore inclined to believe it to be a new species. The root of this species of Geran. is powerfully astringent, and joined with the marsh rosemary (Statice limonium. [Mem Head?] p. 432 is an excellent medicine in inflamed or ulcerated sore throats. It may be chewed in the mouth or made into a dust. -- [?Informal?] ulceration on ye tong or lips it is [agreed? [remedy?] by [chew'ng?]. it in the mouth.

Mr. Epes Sarg't. [?very imperfect?] [Literary?}

at A. add. of the first part at B. do. of the Second part at C Dela from C & D and insert - or their legal representative, and the third chapter by the first and second parties of the concern or their legal representatives

at E add - or the National Bank of the United States should such be established

at F add - Subject to be [drawn?] from [thence?] [inserted] for the use of [end inserted] [crossed out] by [end crossed out] the Land [Manasseh] Cutler & Winthrop Sargent [inserted] or [end inserted] their Grantors or Legal representatives [crossed out] in [end crossed out] or either of them in [crossed out] such [end crossed out] proportion to the interest they respectively hold in the said moiety or portion

at G add } appointing agents, and drawing money out of [crossed out] at G. [end crossed out] } [crossed out] Dela the remainder of the paragraph [end crossed out] the Bank

at H Dela from H } and the said [Manasseh?] Cutler and Winthrop to I and insert } Sargent or their legal representatives

at K dela from K } the said William [Manasseh?] & Winthrop in to L & insert } in [manner?] [last?] mentioned

Dela from M to N & } insert } - in [?manner?] last mentioned

[?Ham?]: May 15 100h Copy incomplete D [?Thomas?]

J Stokes

My Dear Sir

(The introduced of W. [illegilbe] much of [?June?] or the V. [?Payhull?] D. Swartz balanced by -- "To him I must refer you for any information you may [illegible] to obtain for their country."

I thank you for your favour of the L May and 100 Sept. WO3 which I do not recollect that I have portentially [illegible]. With grateful acknowledge for the advice, and interest you have taken, with respect to the complaints [illegible] with w I have been [?feverly?] [illegible]. I have the pleasure of informing you, that they have nearly [?subsided?]. The last winter my health was better [illegible] for your [illegible]. You may be [illegible] politics would have no influences with one in the choice of a physician. I have found [?exercise?] and [illegible] living the best medicine Dr. Benton has aban-doned politics. Differences of political [?sentiments?] has not [?interrupted?] the [illegible] between Dr. [?Mitchall?] and myself. [inserted] The [illegible] that the yellow fever is not contagiousvery much [illegible] [end inserted] I find it not an early matter to [?procure?] the specimens from the southern and western [illegible] I have [?wished?] to collect for you. My town to the [?southern?] have been at an unfavourable season for collecting specimens--I much regret that [?AV. Peeh's?] departure for Europe is so sudden, [crossed out] it is not in my power to [illegible] [end crossed out] [crossed out] to yours as I have just [illegible] from the fear of God [end crossed out] as to put it out of my power to [illegible]from = W. I have by me. Having just returned from the seat of Govt. I have not had ime to pay any attention to my [illegible] several of those you mention, I believe, I have by me. I am well satisfied that there are many [illegible]

plants common to both continents, and I think it best to retain the [same?][Linnean?] names. Time will not permit me to remark on the plants you mention. Mr. [?Perch?] will give you much information respecting them. I shall be gratifed by receiving the seeds you mention

By this time I should suspect your system of politics must have undergone somewhat of a revolution. Whashington gave fredom to slaves at his death, but the " [pacifist?] & democratic "Jefferson" retains his in servitude." At, present, there is no hope that the unhappy Africans in this country will be liberated, or the importation diminshed. The democratic notions which have so unfortunately divided the people in this country, and led them off from the true federal principles, (the only principles on which a free government can exist) threaten us with the same issue as in [illegible]. We are progresing rapidly to a dispotic government, and the democratic Mr. Jefferson will probably be our first Emperor. The plant of freedom is withering in this country [& ye?] "Crown imperial" will occupy ye ground. The present instability of our government for bids the hope of a botanical garden at Washington, and the legislature are far from being disposed to encourage improvement in science. At Cambridge, however, we have the prospect of such an establishment. The plants you mention for Washington will grateful received to enrich this garden, and the aid of the friends to such an establishment in Europe, is earnestly solicited.

I join with you in regreting the death of [crossed out word: Mrs] your friend Mrs. [?Shinder?] She departed this life before I had opp'ty to obtain an introduction to the family. The last winter I had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with a Lady who has a fine taste for botanythe Lady of your Minister [illegible]-Mrs. [?Marg?], She is making progress and indefatigable in her attentions to the plants of this country

the Clergy are very decently [illegible]-- In most [?paris?] his the [?believing?] are equal + in home [?superior?] to the most wealthy of the parishoners We have [illegible] + Families, but they are evidently [illegible] No country can boast of a greater no. of [?clasic?] learned, [illegible], + liberal clergy men in proportion to the no. of people. Nor of greater frienship + affect--among them. Nor when religious worship is more generally attended by all [illegible] of [?hom?] (in [?Butler?] [illegible] of the tar and feathers citizens with any imperfection. The happy affects on Episcopalian society are apparent. Good morals are the bases of a free Govt. Weekly associations, in an orderly and decent many, tends much to improve the social virtues, and has great influencers on manners and [illegible] to the happiness of society than [illegible] laws [illegible] has also demonstrated the excellency of the Natinal Govt. His energetic in its operational [illegible] The lives, preparation, and privilages of all descriptions of [illegible] equally protected and safe. The people are informed, in detail, through the public prints, of all the doings of the federal branches of Govt.--with the only exception of [illegible] [illegible] in foreign negotiations. Particularly the [?slate?] the [?truly?] and [illegible] of public monies. By the judicious arrangments of an able financer, all are happily relieved from any direct Tax. [illegible] national debt is sinking and the public [?credit?] what's left in the country. Or imports, with a small [illegible] on [?spiritous?] [illegible], raises a fund [illegible] sufficient or all the national purposes. Small direct taxes on parts, [illegible] efforts are raised by the people in Town and parish corporations , for the support of Clergy men, [illegible] and other contingent expences. There are all the taxes [illegible] the people. In short, the happy effects of the Govt. in sensibly left, and universally cknowledged by the common people. They are doing themselves much honor in the [illegible] of members of Congress -- elections in the matters states are perfectly free. An attempt to mark inherent, as held in so much [illegible], as to become [illegible] as a [illegible] for a seat in [?Congress?]-- The wisdom of the states has been [illegible] in Congress--Among other excellencies in the [illegible] the 3 branches, different and independent are the most important. Here France has failed. Their last Court is [illegible] in America. Several states have made the expert of one branch, but all have no exchanged them for three. The French Court of [illegible], so for as the experiences of America will decide, wa sin comparably better of the last. We wish them to be free, but we regret the [illegible] a [illegible] be so much injured by the [illegible}.

We have been extremely apprehensive of being drawn into the War, by the impertinent [illegible] judges [illegible] of the French [?Min. Genet?]--too much profits cannot see givers to our Beloved [?President?] for his [?Vigelence?] and [illegible] some [illegible] of esteem for the French Natl. were expected to this meddling Minister, as the he traveled there the [illegible] to seem to have infllated his vanity --he [illegible] he let men [illegible] agreeing --The public person ground with the like a [?ballon?] - [illegible] to [illegible] in the [illegible] threatened to appeal from the [illegible] to the people. His gas is now prety well expended, and he has [illegible] into universal cont-tempt--May 11th [illegible] the evils of a war with any part of Europe. We are happily out of the vortext of their politics, and nothing but the highest national insults with [illegible] Govt. to draw the sword. The freedom fo the press in this Country has no other restraint than the good sense of the people. [illegible] always meets with deserved contempt. The fear of offending the public in the only restraint on printers.

Dec. 2 -- Thank you for the honor you [illegible] me by [crossed out] calling the plants [end crossed out] the [?proposed?] name to a plant, with harm out to be [illegible] [illegible].

Copy Letter to Adams & Nourse Printers Ip. Jan 5. 1785

Gentlemen Yours &c. -- I am extremely mortified with respt. to my botl. paper. The errors in yr Copy are far less than, I imagine, you suppose [th?]. I have carefully compared ye sheets with yr copy since receiving yr. letter. The errors seem to be principy. owing to mistaking letters / wh. tenderd. to prevent by writing as plain as was in my power or omitting [yrs?]. They are mostly in ye. Latin & technical terms, which renders [yrs?] of very great [crossed out] importance [end crossed out] consequence. The errors are most nume-rous from p. 402 to 440. I can by no means consent yr- these pages, [illegible] hand on yours are, unless the whole erata in yours be entered in the table. From page 402 to 407 the errata is of the press, except a latin line [crossed out] [illegible] [crossed out] taken from a wrong plant (403) & lapping & loses. The word secretions p. 20, is wrong in your copy- from 425 to p. 440 your words [?Vegetice?] and Sarsapa -rilla wrong in your copy- from 441 to your end your words cypripedium, fells laid, repellent, spuirilous, antiseptic, loose & it, & your omision of the number of three plants, are wrong in your copy. Hye. pages were correct from your beginning to p 440 I should be willing almost all the rest should be omited in the table, & presume they would pass without being much noticed. I will yr. for propose- that, on condition you will reprint from p. 401 to 416- & from p. 429 to 440. I will give you 15 dollars, & rather yours it should not be done. I will add, if you think I ought to do it, I should much rather pay for reprinte- your whole set 4 sheets yr- have ym- bound yr. Vol. any- a now are, would my circumstances admit of it- and will consent to the table of errata which may be printed with a small type in one page and is not so long as in many Vol of which this I trans [inserted] t [end inserted]. But if you decline reprinting the 4 sheets, I must insist on the whole of the errata in the paper being printed in your table- such as are in your Copy (which you may see at any time) am willing to [illegible]. Otherwise, [illegible] be printed with these sheets as ya. now [illegible], and the errata not be printed, I must reprint [illegible]- do not accept your Vol. as being agreeable to contract But from which you observe in the letter, I am persuaded you will not object to my proposul- I have sent you your four sheets corrected your compliance will certainly add much to the credit of the work, and internaly retrieve the mind of your most obedient humble servant M

Spowich [crossed out] Jan 5. vro5 [end crossed out]

Gentlemen,

I received your favor [?offering?] by the port. When I went over the sheets for the purpose of noting of errata [crossed out] I think it best [end crossed out] proposed to note [crossed out] errors in grammar [end crossed out] such errors as ocurred to me, which I suppose would be noted by a very critical reader. I was, however, [crossed out] far from [end crossed out] [crossed out] being [end crossed out] not satisfied that it would best to insert them all in a table of [illegible] On the one hand it appeared to me of some consequence of it should appearthat the errors were discovered before the Vol. went into the world; on the other, many of them would not be observed by one in a 1000. I therefore sent the table to Boston [?refreshing?] that the [?Commander?] at Cambridge the Boston with do what they [illegible] best in the mater. I fully agree with you [illegible] errors in copies, or the inattention of those who were to inspect the [?sketch?], should all be considered as errors of the prefs--Nor can I suppose all the errata in the table I sent to Boston, were they to be published, would considered as errors of the prefs--many of [illegible] must have appeared evidently to be errors in the copies. [crossed out] The shore have sometimes been provided [illegible] [end crossed out] [crossed out] tables of [illegible] [end crossed out] The table of errata has sometimes been divided into two parts--1 table of the Authors errata, [illegible] of the printers to which I should have no objection in the present case. The errata of the first part of the Vol. as far as 18 page I have no concern with, or must be referred to the [?Conversation?] at [illegible] bridge. I have not read all the [illegible] printed in the second part, to have carefully gone over them since I received the letter. The errors in the copies or in the [illegible] you will find noted below--I am extremely mortified with respect to my botanical paper, or presume you yourselves are mistaken in your ideas of the number of errata in the copy--There are only two latin words wrong except a line [illegible] or five english, which you may see at any time by compairing the manuscriptwith the printed copy-- The errors in the latin in of very considerable importance, or must by no means pass as [illegible]. I will give you twenty dollars if you will reprint from page 402 to page 440--

Copy Letter Adam Nourse Jan 5th 1785 printers

Ipswich, State of the Massachusetts, Nov. 24 1786 Sir,

Your extensive knowledge in natural history, which has so justly established your character [inserted] amongst the first [end inserted] in the literary world, has [crosssed out] made [end crossed out] induced me [inserted] to [end inserted] solicit ye honor & advantages of your correspondence. It will, possibly, be agreeable to you to receive accounts, &, perhaps, specimens of such plants & animals of the northern States in America as have not been described. We are principally indebted to Foreigners for the discriptions that have been given of our natural productions, who, from ye shortness of ye time they [coninu- ?] -ed here, had it not in their power to explore the various parts of so extensive a country. Many of our plants and animals have escaped their notice, & remain to be described. The vastly extended tracts of uncultivated plants in every parallel of latitude in the United States, open an extensive field for the researches of ye botanist, & still afford a favourable opportunity for distinguishing, with no small degree of accuracy, exotic plants from those which are indigenous.

Botany and Zoology have employed my leisure hours for several years past, &, among other [?inquires?], have endeavour-ed for ascertain, in particular, ye plants used by ye native Indians for medical or ceremonial purposes. It will give me pleasure to make you any communications [inserted] in my power which [end inserted] you shall please to request. I shall, likewise, wish to be informed with respect to several plants in your country, & to be favored with other information in natural history. My friend W. Vaughan of Philidelphia, from his personal acquaintance with you, has encouraged me to hope ye proposal, which he is so obliging as to introduce, will meet your approbation. He has requested a botanical paper, published in the I Vol. of the Memoirs of the American Academy [inserted] of Arts and Sciences [end inserted] or your perusal. It was an hasty production, which I was induced to communicate to that society, rather from the solicitation of some of my friends, than from my own inclination. Certain local circumstances led me to adopt a method, which, otherwise, I should not have chosen; particularly with respect to the plants, which are not arranged under any of the genera of Linneaus, or with regard to trivial names. In another paper, which I shall shortly communicate to that Society I have been pursued a different mode, & corrected such mistakes, in this paper, as I have been able to discover. My principal intention was to give a general idea of ye native vegetable productions of this part of America, and to convince my country men among whom this science has been much neglected, that botanical inquiries are not useless speculations.

Prof [illegible] Foster

I have the honor to be, with ye greatest respect. Sir, your most obedient honorable Servent, Manaseh Cutler

Copy

J. Rheinolds Foster Professor in L'Universite of Halle near Magdebourg in Prussia

(In pencil: Not in Dr. Cutler's Life)