part14-第3章
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I again express my satisfaction that you have been so good as
to give me an opportunity of explaining myself in a private letter;
in which I could give my reasons more in detail than might have been
done in a public answer: and I pray you to accept the assurances of
my high esteem & respect。
〃SUBJECTS FOR A MAD…HOUSE〃
_To Dr。 Thomas Leib_
_Washington; June 23; 1808_
SIR; I have duly received your favor covering a copy of the
talk to the Tammany society; for which I thank you; and particularly
for the favorable sentiments expressed towards myself。 Certainly;
nothing will so much sweeten the tranquillity and comfort of
retirement; as the knoledge that I carry with me the good will &
approbation of my republican fellow citizens; and especially of the
individuals in unison with whom I have so long acted。 With respect
to the federalists; I believe we think alike; for when speaking of
them; we never mean to include a worthy portion of our fellow
citizens; who consider themselves as in duty bound to support the
constituted authorities of every branch; and to reserve their
opposition to the period of election。 These having acquired the
appellation of federalists; while a federal administration was in
place; have not cared about throwing off their name; but adhering to
their principle; are the supporters of the present order of things。
The other branch of the federalists; those who are so in principle as
well as in name; disapprove of the republican principles & features
of our Constitution; and would; I believe; welcome any public
calamity (war with England excepted) which might lessen the
confidence of our country in those principles & forms。 I have
generally considered them rather as subjects for a mad…house。 But
they are now playing a game of the most mischevious tendency; without
perhaps being themselves aware of it。 They are endeavoring to
convince England that we suffer more by the embargo than they do; &
that if they will but hold out awhile; we must abandon it。 It is
true; the time will come when we must abandon it。 But if this is
before the repeal of the orders of council; we must abandon it only
for a state of war。 The day is not distant; when that will be
preferable to a longer continuance of the embargo。 But we can never
remove that; & let our vessels go out & be taken under these orders;
without making reprisal。 Yet this is the very state of things which
these federal monarchists are endeavoring to bring about; and in this
it is but too possible they may succeed。 But the fact is; that if we
have war with England; it will be solely produced by their
manoeuvres。 I think that in two or three months we shall know what
will be the issue。
I salute you with esteem & respect。
BONES FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE
_To Lacepede; with a Catalogue_
_Washington; July 14; 1808_
SIR; If my recollection does not deceive me; the collection
of the remains of the animal incognitum of the Ohio (sometimes called
mammoth); possessed by the Cabinet of Natural History at Paris; is
not very copious。 Under this impression; and presuming that this
Cabinet is allied to the National Institute; to which I am desirous
of rendering some service; I have lately availed myself of an
opportunity of collecting some of those remains。 General Clarke (the
companion of Governor Lewis in his expedition to the Pacific Ocean)
being;on a late journey; to pass by the Big…bone Lick of the Ohio;
was kind enough to undertake to employ for me a number of laborers;
and to direct their operations in digging for these bones at this
important deposit of them。 The result of these researches will
appear in the enclosed catalogue of specimens which I am now able to
place at the disposal of the National Institute。 An aviso being to
leave this place for some port of France on public service; I deliver
the packages to Captain Haley; to be deposited with the Consul of the
United States; at whatever port he may land。 They are addressed to
Mr。 Warden of our legation at Paris; for the National Institute; and
he will have the honor of delivering them。 To these I have added the
horns of an animal called by the natives the Mountain Ram; resembling
the sheep by his head; but more nearly the deer in his other parts;
as also the skin of another animal; resembling the sheep by his
fleece but the goat in his other parts。 This is called by the
natives the Fleecy Goat; or in thestyle of the natural historian; the
Pokotragos。 I suspect it to be nearly related to the Pacos; and were
we to group the fleecy animals together; it would stand perhaps with
the Vigogne; Pacos; and Sheep。 The Mountain Ram was found in
abundance by Messrs。 Lewis and Clarke on their western tour; and was
frequently an article of food for their party; and esteemed more
delicate than the deer。 The Fleecy Goat they did not see; but
procured two skins from the Indians; of which this is one。 Their
description will be given in the work of Governor Lewis; the journal
and geographical part of which may be soon expected from the press;
but the parts relating to the plants and animals observed in his
tour; will be delayed by the engravings。 In the meantime; the plants
of which he brought seeds; have been very successfully raised in the
botanical garden of Mr。 Hamilton of the Woodlands; and by Mr。
McMahon; a gardener of Philadelphia; and on the whole; it is with
pleasure I can assure you that the addition to our knowledge in every
department; resulting from this tour of Messrs。 Lewis and Clarke; has
entirely fulfilled my expectations in setting it on foot; and that
the world will find that those travellers have well earned its favor。
I will take care that the Institute as well as yourself shall receive
Governor Lewis's work as it appears。
It is with pleasure I embrace this occasion of returning you my
thanks for the favor of your very valuable works; _sur les poissons
et les cetacees_; which you were so kind as to send me through Mr。
Livingston and General Turreau; and which I find entirely worthy of
your high reputation in the literary world。 That I have not sooner
made this acknowledgment has not proceeded from any want of respect
and attachment to yourself; or a just value of your estimable
present; but from the strong and incessant calls of duty to other
objects。 The candor of your character gives me confidence of your
indulgence on this head; and I assure you with truth that no
circumstances are more welcome to me than those which give me the
occasion of recalling myself to your recollection; and of renewing to
you the assurances of sincere personal attachment; and of great
respect and consideration。
_Contents of the large square Box。_
A Fibia。
A Radius。
Two ribs belonging to the upper part of the thorax。
Two ribs from a lower part of the thorax。
One entire vertebra。
Two spinous processes of the vertebra broken from the bodies。
Dentes molares; which appear to have belonged to the full…grown
animal。
A portion of the under…jaw of a young animal with two molar
teeth in it。
These teeth appear to have belonged to a first set; as they are
small; and the posterior has but three grinding ridges; instead of
five; the common number in adult teeth of the lower jaw。
Another portion of the under…jaw; including the symphisis; or
chin。 In this portion the teeth of one side are every way complete;
to wit; the posterior has five transverse ridges; and the anterior
three。
A fragment of the upper…jaw with one molar tooth much worn。
Molar teeth which we suppose to be like those of the mammoth or
elephant of Siberia。 They ar