Resurrecting the First American West

Charles W. Short Louisville 17th July 1818

Sir-

I am travelling through the Western States for the purpose of exploring their natural productions. Your name was mentioned to me by Mr. Nuttall in Philadelphia, who told me I could see you in Lexington, where I meant to go; but your brother whom I became acquainted with in Cincinnati and with whom I spent a pleasant day at the north bend, has acquainted me with your removal. I regret exceedingly that I cannot visit your part of the country and see your herbarium, as it is my wish to become acquainted with the geographical range of all the plants of the western country. I have seen a few of your plants at your brother's and have determined most of them, having with me [Pursh's?] [Flora?] & [?] Sinopsis I am able to determine any plant that I see, I will mention the Orchis spectabilis of [?] as an instance, which you sent to your brother as an unknown plant. The principal purpose of this Letter is to propose you the following arrangement. I am going now to Henderson and Harmony. I shall come back here again afterwards, and from thence go to Lexington, where I hope to be in one month, and where I shall remain some time: if it is agreeable to you, I would propose that you might send there your herbarium for my perusal, or any part of it as you may deem convenient. I will in return determine for you all the plants it contains; if you have any duplicates that you can share, I should receive them

gratefully, and endeavour to tender you a suitable return by sending you some of my works, such as the flora of Louisiana & meantime I beg leave to hand you separate by [mail?] my printed circular.

You may write me here to let me know your intentions or in Lexington. You might send your plants to our mutual friend, Mr John D. Clifford, or Dr Brown, or any other friend of yours. If you could call there yourself, it might be very agreeable to both, you might them see the collections I have made in coming and in the W. States; I have discovered already several new genera and abt. new species of plants.

I do not know if you have paid any attention to [animals?] and fossils: if you have any notice on fishes, shells, fossils & they will be very acceptable. I have already described [around?] 30 species of shells of the Ohio, all new! and abt 20 species of fishes, mostly [such?].

I remain very sincerely & respectfully Your obedt Srv, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque of the R. [?] of Naples [Philad.?] Soc. of New York Lycineum of Nat. Hist. N.Y. [Acad?] of Nat [Sc.?] [Philadephia?]

15 Lexington Decr. 17.th 1816.

My dear Sir,

Was you aware that there were two different species, or at least strongly-marked varieties of the Gymnocladus (Coffee nut Tree) native in our county [?] I was accidently led to remark a difference in the tree which I had never before done and upon references to Michaux and other authors I find but one species designated viz. the G. Canadensis. From a number of trees which I have lately examined I am induced to believe that there exists difference enough to constitute two species or at least varieties. At the present season when neither the flower nor leafs is to be seen, we have only the general appearance of the tree and form of the seed, vessels to judge by of the latter I send you a rough sketch, representing the form of the two pods (legumens). Each contain from eight to ten seed imbedded in that peculiar sweet and viscid matter which fills the pods and divides it into cells. The seed of Fig 1. are generally smaller than those of the other. As to the general appearance of the two trees that from which the pod (fig 2) was taken exhibits comparatively a rough in aspects the external back being convoluted into thin tortuous scales like that of the Honey-locust while that bearing fig 1. is a smoother tree, its back resembling more nearly that of the dogwood. As to the altitude and general growth of the two trees I see no differences. Both are very common in the neighbourhood of this. The former perhaps more frequent.

These remarks are not the result of hasty and superficial examination but proceed from an attentive examination of a number of individuals. What does [?] say about it. His book is not to be seen in Lexington. In the notice which you take of the Forest trees of your counttry I see that you follow Marshall in calling that before us by the old Linneaus name of [Guidandina?]. It is now I believe more genereally known by [Lamark's?].

I have lately heard from some of my medical brethren, that there was a probability of Lexington's being enriched by the acquisition of yourself. In that case I assure you Sir, I should feel much greater reluctance in leaving it than I do now. But as neither in Cincinnati or Lexington I may enjoy the pleasures of your Society I feel the more indifferent about your removal. Selfish motives aside, however, I feel a wish that you would remove to this place on account of your amiable lady. Her health I am induced to hope would be better in this place, where from the facility of procuring servants ladies are not subjected to the hardships of domestic drudgery.

Be pleased to present my best respects to Mrs. Drake to whom also Mr. Short desires to be remember'd, and accept from my [?], dear Sir assurancies of the most unfeigned Esteem of Your H Servt C W. Short Dr Drake, Cincinnati,

Lexington March 4th 1812 Dear Isaac You expressed a wish to know what has become of I. L. Baker. S. Todd arrived in town last night from Fort George. he states that Isaac was taken prisoner by an Indian and was bought by a Wm Smart of Detroit for one hundred and fifty dollars _______

My Dear Uncle is no more. he was wounded and left at Rasin with the other wounded men when the massacre commenced he gave an Indian one hundred dollars to carry him to Malden. and on the way was shot through the head by a drunken Indian and expired without a groan. Our friend E. Blythe was killed with the wounded. S. Elder was killed in the retreat. S. Todd states that Colonel Wells was ordered by Winchester to piquet himself in but Wells made answer that he was not affraid. nearly all Wells men were killed only Ten of Lewis'. [I. Parker]] has just arrived