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

Louisville Ky 21 July 18 1/2 Dr. Charles W. Short Hopkinsville Christian County Kentucky

C. S. Rafinesque 17th July 1818

Richmond 2nd July 1780

D^r Col.

I am bound to return you thanks on behalf of the Kentucky Inhabitants for your late attention shewn to their distresses. - The assembly will sit about 10 days longer I expect - The House were yesterday in Com^ee upon the Bill for recruiting 5000 regulars I expect will pass the whole House nearly as in Com^ee. The County to be laid off in 4 Divisions of 44 men making each division as equal in ability assigning a certain district for each division If the Bounty of 2 or 3000 will not raise the four men or 11th part of the Militia. The property of the District is to be charged I make good the Residue - The Finance [page damaged]s only been read the first time & altho' I am a friend to [damage]et I find it extreme ly exceptionable & doubt whether it [damage]ls - a False Alarm yesterday occasioned the House to [damage] absence to many of the Members for the Rem^r & I fear the [damage] will be thin

Gen^l Clinton with 4000 men arrived about 2 Weeks ago at N. York. Kniphausen had advanced before to Eliza^th Town Point and Gen^l Washington was at Springfield on his Flank I expect the the Enemy are thus industrious this spring to affect something of Moment before the arrival of the French Fleet & I much fear their vigour will exceed ours. As to Kentucky news - the Coun ty is divided into three- Bensons Creek & the Beach Knobs separate Jefferson the lower County from Lincoln the upper one both on the South side the River - Fayette is the name of that on the N^o Side Kentucky - Connolly's 1000 Acres of the Falls is given to Trustees for a Town Louisville - a Bill is running the Gauntlet for vesting the escheated lands in Trustees for a publick School But parsimony still holds a Seat among us & I fear a Majority will at last prevail against it -

Pray what news about the Tories? Acc^ts from your Quar ter alarm us much. You dont want precedent for the proper punishment if you succeed - I shall be about Richm^d till the Middle Aug^t I will be glad of a line or two. Comp^ts to your Lady I am D^r Col. Your mo. obed^t Hble Servant

Jn^o [Toddy's?]

Historical 1780 "Connoll's 1100 acre grant is given to trustees for a town Louisville"

Campbells Washington

20 LEXINGTON [MAR?] KENTUCKY

Mr. Isaac R. Gwathmey Louisville Kentucky