Elliott, Stephen, 1771-1830. Stephen Elliott papers, 1791- approximately 1947. Letter from James Jackson to Stephen Elliott, 1814 June 2. gra00020. Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Botany Libraries, Harvard University.

Montgomery, GA 28 June

Stephen Elliott Esq {Esquire} — Charleston So. Carolina

Mail

Dublin Laurens Co. June 22, 1814

My Dear Sir

I have so culpably allowed a long interval of time to elapse prior to this acknowledgement of the receipt of your letter that it is considerable diffidence I now do it. I trust however to your friendly leniency for my pardon —

The collection of plants of this clime will I fear prove but small this season, in consequence of the excessive drought we have been afflicted with for near seven weeks past having limited our forests to solely the most common and most generally differred — What collections however I can make of such as I have not hitherto sent you I will attend to and be assured my dear Sir it will gratify me highly if my future gleanings can be productive of as much novelty to you as those hither to made —

Seeds of the shrubs styled by Dr. Muhlenberg after yourself. I will particularly attend to getting and young plants of it if possible shall be sent to Savannah. The dryness of the season has diminished its luxuriousness of flori -fication but has not I hope impaired its fructification.

The Cucumis I sent you I have searched for with care but cannot find it in its former abode. Future attempts will prove I hope more successful — I however perfectly remember that it was many seeded, the seeds enveloped in a pulp similar to the cultivated species — The fruit I had gotten to put up with the specimen but finding it turn black and corrupting was compelled

to throw it away —

It has afforded me sincere pleasure to hear that Dr. Muhlenberg has published a botanical work, of which I am told the reviews speak in the highest terms — an American botany, a desideratum a long time general, will be almost a versing to a botanic tyro in our country and from the Drs acknowledged talents and acquirenements it will pave the way to future students in the science — The descriptions of our native plants in Linneus are so imperfect and many so erroneous that it is an insurmountable obstacle to our progress, as we never can be certain of our plants — I look forward to the profession of Dr. M's work with the most satisfaction.

With my respectful compliments to Mrs. Elliott & your family.

I remain with great esteem Your's etc. etc. James Jackson