147Michaux’s aborted trip: Ambrose 2005, 37.
147recent British expedition: Meacham 2012, 370; Ambrose 2005, 74.
148“whose virtue and talents”: Meriwether Lewis to Ferdinand Claiborne, 7 March 1801; quoted by Ambrose 2005, 60.
148TJ as gardener: see esp. Wulf 2011 and Hatch 2012.
148“Were I to venture to describe”: Jefferson 1787, 59.
148“particular plants”: TJ to Meriwether Lewis, 20 June 1803, LC-TJ.
149first botany textbook: Barton 1803. Barton was also bringing out a medical textbook in parts (Barton 1801).
149Barton’s health: Ambrose 2005, 91.
149Wistar had sent Jefferson: Caspar Wistar to TJ, 1 January 1802; TJ to Caspar Wistar, 14 July 1802, LC-TJ.
150Wistar alerted TJ: Caspar Wistar to TJ, 8 January 1802, LC-TJ.
150traversing territory: Meacham 2012, 387; Ambrose 2005, 101.
150Lewis met up with Clark: Ambrose 2005, 117.
150May 22, 1804: Ambrose 2005, 123.
150two volumes: Miller 1779, 1789.
CHAPTER EIGHT: “H—k Is Enough, and Even That Unnecessary”
151ostrich landed: New York Morning Chronicle, 7 May 1804.
151his first name has not survived: SPCWP gives Delacoste’s first name as Isaac, but another source gives it as “J.-B.” (possibly for Jean-Baptiste). Delacoste signed publicity documents for his exhibits simply as “Monsieur Delacoste.”
151ostrich feathers on ladies’ hats: New York Daily Advertiser, 11 May 1804.
151first scientific museum: an earlier museum of art, history, and natural history, founded in 1791 by John Pintard, had, after 1795, shed its scientific focus in favor of sensational (and sometimes fraudulent) items (Burrows and Wallace 1998, 316).
151“hair-ball”: Delacoste 1804, 78.
152“first institution of this nature”: New York Daily Advertiser, 25 June 1804.
152Humboldt visits Wistar: Ewan and Ewan 2007, xxiv. On Humboldt’s visit to the United States, see Walls 2009 and Wulf 2015.
152“most extraordinary traveller” and subsequent quotations: CWP to John DePeyster, 27 June 1804, SPCWP, vol. 2, 725.
153English, Spanish, and French: SPCWP, vol. 2, 683.
153“The native Indians”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 685.
153cupola of the Capitol: SPCWP, vol. 2, 692.
153“I only lament”: TJ to CWP, 19 August 1804, LC-TJ.
154“sumtious” dinner: SPCWP, vol. 2, 693.
154“changed my Teeth”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 694.
154“his ardent wish”: Humboldt quoted by CWP, SPCWP, vol. 2, 694.
154as quickly as three days: SPCWP, vol. 2, 725.
154Peale felt tempted: CWP to John DePeyster, 21 June 1804, in SPCWP, vol. 2, 718.
154“little Syren”: Peters to AH, 8 January 1803, PAH, vol. 26, 76.
154“pay for the Rattle”: Peters to AH, 8 January 1803, PAH, vol. 26, 74.
154“3 barrels full of the clay”: AH to Eliza Hamilton, 14 October 1803, PAH, vol. 26, 159.
155“You see I do not forget”: AH to Eliza Hamilton, 14 October 1803, PAH, vol. 26, 160.
155“his house a most joyous one”: James A. Hamilton 1869, 3.
155“variegated landscape of hill & dale”: John Church Hamilton, “Chapter 168,” Box 20, John Church Hamilton Papers, CU, 3.
155“the last sunny days”: quoted by Chernow 2004, 693.
155AH at dinner party: Chernow 2004, 680. On the duel, see also Sedgwick 2015, Fleming 1999, and Ellis 2000, chapter 1. On dueling in the early Republic, see Freeman 2007.
155“more despicable”: Charles D. Cooper to Schuyler, 23 April 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 246; quoted by Chernow 2004, 681.
155“a prompt and unqualified acknowledgment or denial”: AB to AH, 18 June 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 243.
155joined Pendleton’s law practice: Longworth 1803, 234.
156moved to 65 Broadway: New-York Evening Post, 11 August 1803.
156“You can’t think”: AB to TB, 24 June 1804, AB Memoirs, vol. 2, 290.
156“mistress of natural philosophy”: AB to TB, 24 June 1804, AB Memoirs, vol. 2, 290.
156drafted words of challenge: AB had not yet issued the final formal challenge to AH but had written a letter to him on 22 June 1804 that included these words: “Thus, Sir, you have invited the course I am about to pursue, and now by your silence you impose it on me” (quoted by Chernow 2004, 688). According to PAH, vol. 26, 256, note 1, this letter was never shown to AH.
156CWP began painting on June 24: SPCWP, vol. 2, 728.
156“alegator” and “Rapacious paws of the War Hawks”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 727.
157“so interesting”: Humboldt to DH (in French), 25 June 1804, David Hosack Correspondence, APS, microfilm 842; reprinted in AvH VS, 98–99. Humboldt also mentions in this letter having read and appreciated essays by SLM.
157“as good a portrait”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 728. See also Walls 2009, 106.
157sixty thousand plant specimens: Wulf 2015, 111.
157“I love seeing a Secretary of State”: Humboldt to Madison (in French), 27 June 1804, AvH VS, 102.
157“the simplicity of a philosopher”: quoted by Wulf 2015, 101.
158“without enjoying the pleasure”: Humboldt to AH (in French), 27 June 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 274.
158AB challenged AH: Van Ness to Pendleton, 27 June 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 272–73; Chernow 2004, 689.
158“progressive rise”: PAH, vol. 26, 289.
158AH paid DH: LPAH, vol. 5, 621.
158“advantages of multiplying writings”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 733.
159“emotions of gratification”: SPCWP, vol. 3, 22.
159“Green & thickest foliage”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 730.
159wait for a gap: SPCWP, vol. 2, 730.
159“well arranged Museum”: CWP to Rubens Peale and Sophonisba Peale Sellers, 6 July 1804, SPCWP, vol. 2, 737.
159“linian System” and “Ribons”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 731.
159previous two months: Delacoste had launched his appeal in the New-York Evening Post by 2 May 1804.
159subscribers at $2: Delacoste 1804, 81–84.
159“society of Gentlemen”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 731–32.
160“last critical scene”: AH to Pendleton, 4 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 294.
160“my very dear Eliza”: quoted by Chernow 2004, 709.
160subscribers at $50: Commercial Advertiser, 7 July 1804.
160both principals to bring physicians: see Pendleton, 4 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 295.
160“but get on”: AB to Van Ness, 9 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 300.
160“H——k is enough”: AB to Van Ness, 9 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 301; quoted by Chernow 2004, 696.
160throwing away his shot: on AH’s plan to do this, see Ellis 2000, 28–30; Chernow 2004, 694. On Pendleton’s communication of this plan to DH, see DH to William Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 345.
161Van Ness carried an umbrella: Chernow 2004, 703.
161chestnut, hickory, and oak: Slowick 2004, 24.
161these and following species on and near the Hudson’s New Jersey shore: see annotations in Hosack 1806 (copy held by NYBG) and Torrey 1818–1820. See also Torrey et al. 1819.
161DH left behind: Chernow 2004, 701.
161DH notices that several seconds elapsed: Ellis 2000, 29, quoting Van Ness, PAH, vol. 26, 335.
162“countenance of death”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 344, quoted by Chernow 2004, 704.
162“mortal wound”: AH quoted in DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 344.
162“My vision is indistinct”: AH quoted in letter of DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 345.
162“asked me”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 345.
162“alone appeared tranquil”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 346.
163“almost intolerable”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 346.
163“beloved wife and children”: DH to Coleman, 17 Aug
ust 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 347.
163“Remember, my Eliza”: AH quoted in DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 347; quoted by Chernow 2004, 706.
163“not be very pleasant”: AB to Van Ness, 11 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 341, note 1.
163gathering on street corners: INPS, vol. 5, 1425.
164“opened his eyes”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 347.
164“Mr. Burr’s respectful Compliments”: AB to DH, 12 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 312.
164“Mr. Burr begs”: AB to DH, 12 July 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 312.
164Church bells tolling: New-York Gazette, n.d., quoted by Coleman 1804, 59.
164“O America!”: Frederick Town-Herald, n.d., quoted by Coleman 1804, 97.
164“What do you think”: Republican Watch-Tower, 28 July 1804.
164“the ball struck”: DH to Coleman, 17 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 344.
165“Our Troy”: Boston Repertory [1804], quoted by Coleman 1804, 236.
165AH’s funeral: Chernow 2004, 710–13; see also Coleman 1804, 29–46.
165“Citizens in general”: Coleman 1804, 37.
165live sheepshead fish: SPCWP, vol. 2, 734–35.
165“Alexr. Hambleton will be buried”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 735.
166“well digested plan”: SPCWP, vol. 2, 735.
166forty-eight minutes: Coleman 1804, 46.
166Morris decided: Chernow 2004, 712.
166“It seemed as if God”: Morris quoted by Coleman 1804, 42.
166“Would Hamilton have done this thing?”: Morris quoted by Coleman 1804, 45.
167“unlawfully wilfully wickedly”: “The People v. Aaron Burr,” 14 August 1804, PAH, vol. 26, 342.
167“I attended him”: PAH, vol. 26, 347, note 4.
167“When will incorruptible Faith”: translation given in PAH, vol. 26, 347, note 3, which points out that DH got a word wrong in the quotation, writing quidem instead of bonis.
167“The design is”: Oliver Wolcott Jr. to James McHenry, 16 July 1804, quoted by Steiner 1907, 531.
167purchasers: Mayer and East 1937. I am indebted to Christine McKay of BNY Mellon for providing copies of the certificates purchased by Hosack.
167fund kept secret: Chernow 2004, 725.
167“even Burr himself”: quoted by Coleman 1804, 213.
168“a MONSTER, and an ASSASSIN”: Coleman 1804, 214.
168murder charge: Chernow 2004, 717–18.
168AB sells Richmond Hill: AB to Joseph Alston, 5 November 1804, reported he has sold the house and furniture; quoted in INPS, vol. 5, 1427.
168“lancet might be useful”: AB to BR, 3 August 1804, CU-AB, Series I, Reel 5; AB arrived in Philadelphia by 24 July 1804 (Chernow 2004, 717). See also Kline, ed., Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr, vol. 2, 891ff.
168“Procure and read it”: AB to TB, 15 September 1804, in AB Memoirs, vol. 2, 342.
168“bear all the cost”: CWP to DH, 29 June 1805, SPCWP, vol. 2, 858.
168“None of us think we will die”: CWP to DH, 17 July 1805, SPCWP, vol. 2, 865.
CHAPTER NINE: “This Delicious Banquet”
169return of yellow fever to New York: Albany Register, 10 July 1804.
169“reduced to skin & Bone”: MH to CWB, 8 October 1804, APS-CWB.
170Clinton promised: Vail 1954, 30.
170commissioned Trumbull: Common Council Minutes, vol. 3, 636.
170Hosack’s portrait of Hamilton: On 15 November 1806, John Trumbull noted in his account book that he received “[$]140 from Dr. Hosack for a portrait” (Series III, “Personal and Family Papers, Account Book, 1804–1806, Folder 92), John Trumbull Papers, Yale University. Today the National Gallery owns a Hamilton portrait painted by Trumbull ca. 1806 and passed down from the Hosack family.
170“Being unsetled”: AB to TB, 5 November 1804, CU-AB, Series I, Reel 5.
171Burr on the dais: Chernow 2004, 718.
171“a citadel of law”: quoted by Chernow 2004, 719.
171“burst into tears”: quoted by Isenberg 2007, 279.
171“a zeal and ability”: quoted by Hosack 1811d, 11.
172Hosack’s purchases and his hiring of men in spring and summer 1805: DH-MB, 29ff. (garden section).
174botanical terminology: Hosack 1811d, 12.
174“attendance &c”: PAH, vol. 26, 347, note 4.
175Clark inscribed his name: 3 December 1805, Lewis and Clark Journals (Moulton, ed., 2003, 296). Hosack’s peas “to be uncovered when the weather is fine”: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
175running ad: New-York Gazette, 28 December 1805.
175“individual fortune”: quoted by Hosack 1811d, 12.
175DH selling produce: DH-MB, 16, 26 (garden section).
176first comprehensive garden manual: O’Malley (1992[a], 425–26) notes, however, that portions of McMahon’s book were direct appropriations from British gardening publications.
176McMahon’s wife and seed store: Hatch 1993, n.p.
176“Ceres, and Flora, and Pomona”: Anon., Medical Repository 4 (1807), 178.
176Jefferson loved McMahon’s book: Hatch 1993.
176Hosack bought his own copy: Vail 1900, 24.
177“lively, warm, steamy quality”: McMahon 1806, 4.
177cabbage and parsley: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
177March 21, 22: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
177April planting: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
178names of fruits: DH-MB, 2 (garden section).
178Elgin fruit trees: Hosack 1806.
178“exhausted by moss”: McMahon 1806, 38–39.
178fruit trees pruned: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
178looking forward: Hosack 1810a, 3.
178Hosack’s correspondents: Hosack 1806, 6–7.
178long flues: DH to Thomas Parke, 25 July 1803.
179dozens of species: all greenhouse species names in this section are drawn from Hosack 1806.
179“splendid petals”: Hosack 1810a, 3.
179“cool and unsteady”: DH-MB, 37 (garden section).
179McMahon’s advice: McMahon 1806, 80, 83.
179almost entirely of glass: Hosack 1806, 4.
180snowdrops, crocuses, etc.: Hosack 1810a, 4.
180“evil of great magnitude”: McMahon 1806, 92.
180“raise a comforting steam”: McMahon 1806, 97.
180cinnamon, ginger, pineapple, etc.: all hothouse plants mentioned in this section are from Hosack 1806.
180“zest to this delicious banquet”: Hosack 1810a, 4.
182hot poultice: Coxe 1810, 382.
182antispasmodic: Coxe 1810, 304–5.
182“immoderate discharges”: Lewis 1796, 145.
182writings of explorers and traders: Hosack’s own writings rarely mention Native American medical and botanical knowledge. Joyce Chaplin (2003, 87) argues that many early Republic natural historians avoided calling attention to Native American knowledge, “lest this contradict claims of cultural superiority to and political authority over native peoples.” On uses of medicinal plants by Native Americans, see, e.g., Huron H. Smith 1928; Speck 1937; Taylor 1940; Turner and Bell 1973; Hamel and Chiltoskey 1975.
183“prince of good fellows”: Gross 1893, vol. 2, 91.
183“Bodily & Mental Inferiority”: Original manuscript of 27 February 1808 in the John W. Francis Papers, NYPL. On Francis’s views and a court case involving DH, SLM, and Alexander Whistelo, DH’s coachman, see Wilder 2013, chapter 7.
183“member of our family”: MH to CWB, 23 January 1817, APS-CWB.
184“wealth of John Jacob Astor”: JWF 1858, 86.
184his exotics: DH-MB, 39 (garden section).
184pleasant, mild days: [no author], “Sketch of the Weather and Diseases in the Summer and Autumn of 1806,” Medical Repository, Hexade 2, vol. 4 (1807): 214.
185Napoleon reportedly preferred: Motte 1956, 11. On the scientific life of Napoleonic France, see Gillispie 1980.
185camel and plague: Motte 1956, 12.
185Ulva fasciata: Delile 1813.
186French commissioner: Ewan and Ewan 2007, 560.
186Josephine’s instructions to ARD: Joly 1859, 7.
186American bullfrog: Ewan and Ewan 2007, 562.
186ARD studying with DH: DH-MB, n.p. (medical section).
187mortality records: see, e.g., New-York Medical and Philosophical Journal, vol. 2 (1810), 134–38.
187“child-bearing is a disease”: Rush 1803, 27.
187Jacob Schiffelin’s shop: New York Daily Advertiser, 2 January 1804.
187Hosack’s medicinal species: All plant names in the following section are drawn from Hosack 1806. Unless otherwise noted, the medicinal uses are drawn from Andrew Duncan Jr. 1805, Coxe 1806, and Thacher 1810.
188“urtication, or whipping”: Flora Lond., vol. 6, n.p.
188Aristolochia serpentaria and anthrax: Hosack 1812a.
188“admit a goose-quill”: Hosack, “A Case of Trismus Cured by Laudanum,” Medical Repository 6 (4): 386–88.
189“very plentiful in Jersey”: Bartram 1751, 4.
189Verbena urticifolia uses: e.g., Huron H. Smith 1928, 251–52.
190Hosack often cared for consumptives: Delile 1807, 40.
190“nails . . . curve inwards”: Delile 1807, 9.
190“it manifestly did harm”: DH quoted by Delile 1807, 41.
191“lovely library”: ARD to Joseph Philippe François Deleuze, 22 September 1806, quoted (in French) by Robbins 1964, 75.
CHAPTER TEN: “I Long to See Captain Lewis”
192poplars along Broadway: INPS, vol. 1, 400.
192“general panic”: [Mitchill] 1806, 98–100.
193“violent internal pains”: Commercial Advertiser, 3 July 1806.
193“to observe the worm”: John P. Van Ness to TJ, 5 July 1806, Coolidge Collection of Thomas Jefferson Manuscripts, Massachusetts Historical Society.
193the term arboretum: O’Malley (2010, 93) notes an appearance of the term by 1832.
193“How differently nations act!”: [no author] Review of History of the American Oaks, by André Michaux, Medical Repository 6 (1) (1803): 64–70, quotations on 65–66.
193“our native citizens”: [no author] Review of History of the American Oaks, by André Michaux, Medical Repository 6 (1) (1803): 64–70, quotation on 65.
194“above all the trees”: ARD to Joseph Deleuze, 22 September 1806, quoted (in French) by Robbins 1964, 74. My account of Hosack’s tree species in this section comes from Hosack 1806.
American Eden Page 42