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Original Document
Letter from Bernard McMahon to Meriwether Lewis, April 5, 1807

Sir. Philadelphia April 5th 1807

I duly received through kindness of the President U.S. the very valuable parcel of seeds you were so good as to destine for me, and for which I am extremely obliged to you. I sowed some of each sort, and have seven kinds up and in a growing state already. I never saw seeds in a better state of preservation, and there is no doubt, but I will have plants from every species and variety. If you have not yet any kinds different from those you were pleased to send me, I would think it a great and additional favour to get a small portion of each, and you may rest assured that they shall be taken good care of, and that I shall duly report their progress to you, with such observations as I may deem useful.

I have heard that, in your tour, you had collected a number of specimens of new and curious plants, and that you intend to bring some of them to this City for examination; if so, I would wish you to be here before the 20th inst. As there is at present a young man boarding in my house, who, in my opinion, is better acquainted with plants, in general, than any man I ever conversed with on the subject; he was regularly bred to the business in Saxony, lived with Wm. Hamilton Esqr two years, who, between you and me, did not use him well; he was employed for these last twelve months collecting, to the southward, specimens for Doctor Barton, and arranging them; for whom he is to depart, to the northward, on similar business, about the 20th inst. He is a very intelligent and practical Botanist, would be well inclined to render you any service in his power, and I am confident would defer his intended journey, to the first of May to oblige you.

I solicit the favour of your acceptance of a box of seed from me, to produce you esculent vegetables &c. at the seat of your new Government, and of your considering me, sir, Your sincere Wellwisher,
BERND. McMAHON


Credit: Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Donald Dean Jackson, ed. (University of Illinois Press, 1978), 398.
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