The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon
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102. “operations alone without needing to refer,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 39.
104. “as a pessary, composed of gun-powder,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 219.
104. “the base of whole work,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 212.
106. “Such dreadful whirlwinds,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 212.
107. “was always open for all the French men,” Zúñiga, 38.
107. “the practice of astronomy and trigonometry,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 269–270.
107. The story of the connection between the Gramesóns and the expedition can be put together from information in Zúñiga, ’s 250 Años, Arellano’s Una historia de amor, genealogical research by Lemaire, and La Condamine’s journal. Martín’s Daughters of the Conquistadores provides a wonderful account of daily life inside eighteenth-century convent schools in Peru.
Chapter Seven: High-Altitude Science
112. “cabelleros del punto fijo,” Krousel, 6.
112. “no employment or calling to occupy,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 269.
112-113. Arthur Whitaker detailed the dispute between Ulloa, Juan, and Araujo.
115. “considerably incommoded by the rarefaction,” Bouguer, 287.
115. “I remained a long time without sense or motion,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 216.
115. “No one before us, that I know of, had seen the mercury,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 35.
116. “rolling large fragments of rock,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 217.
116. “When the fog cleared up,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 217.
117. “that they would rather have suffered,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 220.
117. “we were continually in the clouds,” Bouguer, 287.
117. “Our feet were swelled and so tender,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 218.
118. “The mountains in America are in comparison,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 47.
119. “He was always in movement,” Pierre de La Condamine, 1314. Although some of the biographical details about Jean in Pierre de La Condamine’s article are wrong, his description of Jean’s harsh life in the mountains fits with what Charles-Marie de La Condamine wrote about Jean’s work as a signal carrier.
120. “strongest and most convincing proof,” LaFuente and Delgado, 42.
120. “Mr. Godin des Odonais preceded us,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 52.
121. “from this sad situation,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 55.
122. “clothes, eyebrows, and beards covered in icicles,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 58.
122. “and we could guarantee the accuracy,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 58.
122. “alter in a geometrical progression,” Bouguer, 288.
124. “They retired with all the marks of extreme sorrow,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 226.
124. “Even those of the best parts and education,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 224.
125. “the little cabins of the Indians,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 223.
125. “completely imprudent enterprise,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 43.
125. “one might even come to believe that the earth,” LaFuente and Delgado, 50. (Modern surveys have determined that at the equator, a degree of longitude is 1,948 feet longer than a degree of latitude.)
126. “Do the observers have some predilection,” LaFuente and Delgado, 27.
126. “it is evident that the earth is considerably flattened,” LaFuente and Delgado, 258.
126. “flattener of the earth and the Cassinis,” Jones, 93.
126. “The arguments increased,” LaFuente and Delgado, 17.
127. “This flatness [of the earth] appears even more considerable,” James Smith, 94.
127. “choose to stay [neutral] till the French arrive,” Jones, 93.
128. “agreeable reception provided us,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 66.
128. “She possessed every talent,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 66.
129. “contrary to all received opinion,” Bouguer, 275.
129. “Nature has here continually in her hands,” Bouguer, 306.
130. “I spent eight days wandering,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 75.
130. “sleep was continually interrupted,” Bouguer, 306.
130. “the most beautiful horizon,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 78.
130. “whole side of the mountain seemed to be on fire,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 77.
130. “suffering too much from the heat,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 80.
133. See James Smith and LaFuente and Delgado for details about the expedition’s measurements around Tarqui and about the accuracy of their work in the Andes.
133. “our geometric measurements were completely finished,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 84.
Chapter Eight: Death in the Afternoon
La Condamine wrote at length about Senièrgues’s murder, in the form of a “Lettre à Madame ***,” which he published in his Relation abrégée d’un voyage fait dans l’intérieur de l’Amérique Méridionale, pages 215–260. I have relied on a Spanish translation of that letter, published in Relación abreviada de un viaje hecho por el interior de la América Meridional (Madrid: Calpe, 1921), 133–192.
Ulloa and Juan wrote about the abuse of the Indians in their confidential report to the Spanish Crown, published in 1826 under the title Noticias secretas de América; Ulloa is believed to be the principal author. I have used a more recent translation of that book, titled Discourse and Political Reflections on the Kingdoms of Peru.
136. “Senièrgues stopped Leon at a street corner,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 138.
138. “Work in the obrajes,” Juan and Ulloa, Discourse and Political Reflections, 135.
139. “commanded to stretch out on the ground,” Juan and Ulloa, Discourse and Political Reflections, 145.
139. “so that the sparks fall on the victims,” Juan and Ulloa, Discourse and Political Reflections, 145.
140. “all their efforts to enriching themselves,” Juan and Ulloa, Discourse and Political Reflections, 103.
141. “there were times when there would not be a week that passed,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 55.
141. “stabbed by a mulatto in broad daylight,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 56.
142. “bullfights are in the blood of the Spanish people,” Carrión.
143. “did not have any virtue,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 139.
143. “This was the first time,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 141.
143. “There was nothing that could infuriate,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 143.
144. “give them a spectacle,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 145.
144. “Seeing himself surrounded,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 145.
144. “up in his arms the wounded,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 148.
145. “Senièrgues alone has paid for all of us,” Colloque International. Article by Gabriel Judde, “Recherches sur Joseph de Jussieu botaniste (et médecin) de l’expedition La Condamine,” 28–42.
146. “It seems that they were shewing some French gallantry,” Jones, 113.
147. The Cuenca church that La Condamine and Louis Godin used as a triangulation point is still standing; San Sebastián Plaza where Senièrgues was murdered is about one-half mile away from that spot.
148. “series of sad and difficult observations,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 87.
148. “They had the talent of mimicking,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 88.
Chapter Nine: Marriage in Quito
For a description of marriage practices in col
onial Peru, see Socolow’s Women of Colonial Latin America, Lavrin’s Sexuality and Marriage in Colonial Latin America, Martín’s Daughters of the Conquistadores, and Descola’s Daily Life in Colonial Peru.
151. “Creole women recognize the disaster,” Juan and Ulloa, Discourse and Political Reflections, 220.
152. “Don’t marry an old man,” Descola, 116.
152. “stir up immoral and lascivious desire,” Leonard, Books of the Brave, 88.
153. “so utterly absorbed in reading,” Leonard, Books of the Brave, 22. 153. “She was always dressed,” Martín, 281.
153. “an amatory conversation through the Venetian blinds,” and “frantic desire to marry,” Descola, 116.
154. “little kisses, raise the old-man,” Socolow, 102.
154. “after four years of a traveling life,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 92.
155. “I love my country,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 156.
156. “Only the French members of the Academy,” Journal du voyage, La Condamine, 245–246.
156. “a new comedy by Molière,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 269.
157. “put his affairs and his conscience in order,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 103.
158. “the most famous in all South America,” and “never hazarded without the utmost dread,” Bouguer, 295–296.
159. “reconnoitering the ground,” Jean Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine, as translated into English in Perils and Captivity.
160. “His duties regarding the objective,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 132.
160. Dowry information is from Arellano, 41.
162. “At a time when I was flattering myself,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 131.
163. “for the same purpose we use waxcloth,” Wolf and Wolf, 28.
163. “It matters not on what place of the earth we stand,” Bouguer, 311.
164. “One wishes that it would be universal,” Vera, 21.
164. “I tried in vain to keep moving,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 151.
165. “no one obeyed it,” La Condamine, Relación abreviada de un viaje, 153.
165. “insulted the nation of Spain,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 242.
166. “justice in Quito is constant,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 270.
166. “attracted the attention of the ladies,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 164.
167. “series of labors and hardships,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 229.
Chapter Ten: Down the Amazon
169. “I reckoned on taking the same road,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
170. Arellano describes the financial difficulties of Jean Godin in Quito.
171. “Riobamba is situated,” Ecuador: Insight Guide, 251.
171. “very careful not to diminish their wealth,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 311.
171. “tallest in the viceroyalty,” Mejía, 9.
172. “landscape elegantly adorned,” Juan and Ulloa, A Voyage to South America, 312.
173. The folklore regarding Chimborazo, Altar, and Tungurahua is recounted by Anhalzer.
174. “There are a great number of young people,” Mejía, 52.
174-175. Details about the Gramesón family during this period are from Arellano’s Historia de amor.
175. The fact that Jean and Isabel’s first three children died shortly after birth is from research by Saint Amand librarian Hélène Touzel.
175. Pierre Godin’s “Génealogie de la famille Godin” provides the date for the death of Jean’s father.
177. “They were like madmen, without sense,” Hanson, 154.
177-184. Hemming’s Red Gold provides a very thorough and disturbing history of the exploration of the Amazon River and the slave trade that depopulated it.
181. “most intelligent, the best governed on the river,” Anthony Smith, 150.
181. “settlements are so close together,” Hemming, 231.
182. “They killed them as one kills mosquitoes,” Hemming, 411.
184. “As for the discomforts,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 123.
185. “The famous straight known under the name,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 174, and “Abridged Narrative of Travels through the Interior of South America,” 215.
186. “should die en route,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 187.
186. “on rafts constructed on the spot,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 216.
187. “Ever since, secluded in accessible woods,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 219.
187. “The waters seem to hurl,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 219.
187. “I found myself,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 220.
189. “grows in the flesh of men,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 247.
189. “By a strong puff of the breath,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 225.
190. “nothing but a thirst for gold,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 238.
190. “probably exaggerations or inventions,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 234.
191. “While thus torpified,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 245.
192. “On the banks of the Marañón,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 229.
192. “The chief decoration,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 229.
192. “Of all the savages,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 189.
192. “to make them more perfectly resemble,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 226.
193. “without coming across any signs of life,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 190.
193. “native women all clad in Britany linen,” La Condamine, “Abridged Narrative of Travels,” 230.
194. “In dull, distant places,” Jones, 153.
194. “furnishes a new argument and demonstration,” La Condamine, “Relation abrégée de un voyage,” iii.
196. “By all appearances,” LaFuente and Delgado, 285.
197. “Bouguer could not disguise,” eulogy for La Condamine.
197. “One of the best and most useful,” Hanke, 169.
198. “No other wish but,” La Condamine, Journal du voyage, 218.
199. “heart covering itself with a black veil,” eulogy for Jussieu.
200. “never hazarded without the utmost dread,” Bouguer, 296.
200. “Anyone but you, Sir,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
201. “With no other recommendation,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
201. “He received me with open arms,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
202. “a large pirogue of fourteen oars,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
202. “by following the same route,” Froidevaux, 95–96.
202. “It doesn’t appear that his time,” Froidevaux, 96.
Chapter Eleven: A Continent Apart
206. The two memoires by Jean Godin cited in this chapter were published in a nineteenth-century book, Extraits des auteurs et voyageurs qui ont écrit sur la Guyane de 1596 à 1844, edited by Victor de Nouvion.
206. “France’s interest in navigation along the Amazon,” Godin, “Mémoire sur la navigation de l’Amazone,” in Extraits, 88–91.
208. “owing to it being light and pliable,” Godin, “Mémoire sur différents bois dans l’ile de Cayenne,” in Extraits, 91–93.
209. “He was well regarded,” Froidevaux, 103.
209. “I had the honor,” letter from Godin to Rouillé, April 8, 1751. Froidevaux, 125–126.
210. “We have not yet responded to him,” Froidevaux, 98.
211. “facilitate, on my account,” letter from Ignatius Visconti, January 16, 1754. Copy obtained from the municipal library in Saint Amand-Montrond.
211. “I write, Sir, to Monsieurs
d’Orvilliers,” letter from Rouillé to Godin, March 19, 1752. Froidevaux, 98.
211. “I inquired [about the passport] of the governor of that place,” Froidevaux, 98.
212. “would be a source of riches,” and “I implore you, Sir,” letter from Lemoyne to Paris, June 14, 1752. Froidevaux, 127.
214. “Only a small portion of the costs,” joint letter from Lemoyne and d’Orvilliers to Paris, June 19, 1752. Froidevaux, 128.
215. “Godin asked me for permission,” letter from M. Dunezat to Paris, May 10, 1755. Froidevaux, 129.
215. “mouth of the Amazon,” and “poor state,” Froidevaux, 141.
215. The name of Isabel and Jean’s daughter does not appear in genealogical records; Carmen del Pilar is as cited by Arellano.
217. Arellano describes the financial problems of the Gramesón family during the 1950s in his Historia de amor.
217. “I will always better your fortune,” Arellano, 55.
218. Information about Indian uprisings in the 1760s can be found in Encyclopedia del Ecuador and Mejía’s Riobamba: La villa peregrina.
218. Mejía describes the importance of the Virgin of Sicalpa in Riobamba during this period.
219. “I renewed my letters every year,” Godin, 1773 letter to La Condamine.
221. “I provided [Choiseul] with a very detailed account,” letter from Godin des Odonais to Fiedmont, October 25, 1765. Froidevaux, 134–136.
221. “In December 1763, I had the honor,” letter from Godin des Odonais to Choiseul, June 1, 1764. Froidevaux, 130.
222. “I was, Sir, associated with the gentlemen,” letter from Godin des Odonais to d’Herouville, September 10, 1764. Froidevaux, 130–132.
222. “This behavior by our touchy and cruel neighbor,” letter from Fiedmont to Paris, October 18, 1765. Froidevaux, 132–133.
223. “in the midst of a nation against which,” Godin, October 25, 1765, letter to Fiedmont.
223. “something is going on in this boat,” letter from Godin des Odonais to Fiedmont, October 25, 1765.
223. “The whites that I would have brought,” letter from Godin des Odonais to Fiedmont, October 28, 1765. Froidevaux, 137–139.
224. “I’ve worked against this nation,” Godin, October 28, 1765, letter to Fiedmont.
224. “nasty fall in the woods,” Godin, October 25, 1765, letter to Fiedmont.