Letter from Theodor Hartweg to the secretary of Horticultural Society [George Bentham], 21 Regent Street, London
Information
Title - Letter from Theodor Hartweg to the secretary of Horticultural Society [George Bentham], 21 Regent Street, London
Record type - Archive
Original Reference - RHS/Col/7/1/1/61
Date - 24 Oct 1840
Scope & content - Written from Guatemala [Guatemala City, Guatemala]
Postmarked ('5 JA13 41', 'A 15JA15 1841', 'Cove JA12 1841', 'Cove ship letter', 'JA13 1841'). An opened seal is attached to the letter
Letter No 46
He acknowledges receipt of duplicate instructions and letter dated 15 Aug [this letter is not present in the collection] with descriptions and locations of plants to acquire in the province of Quito [Ecuador]; he asks for a list of 'the most desired objects, with their habitats and provincial names, or, if possible, a copy of Kunth's descriptions of Humboldt's plants [Carl Sigismund Kunth classified and compiled the botanical results of Alexander von Humboldt's and Aime Bonplan's expeditions to South America in 'Nova genera et species plantarum', 1815–1825]' or other similar books, his copy of 'the Bot. Reg. ['The Botanical Register', later known as 'Edwards' Botanical Register', an illustrated horticultural magazine], which perhaps Mr Turner [William Turner, British minister at New Granada] would do me the favour to bring out', and a map of Colombia; he had hoped to learn of 'arrangements about money affairs', but now they will not reach him in Guatemala; he will raise all the money due to him from Messrs Aycinena [Pedro & Ignacio de Aycinena, merchants in Guatemala], although he expects it to be difficult; he also requires another £100 of 'unexpired credit' from the treasurer through Messrs Aycinena, to last until he receives more instructions; letters to Guayaquil [Ecuador] can be sent to the care of the consul Mr Arthur Cope [sic; the consul in Ecuador was Walter Cope]; if they cannot send him a letter of credit, he requests a 'carte blanche, to draw where I like to a certain amount, as you will have ample security in the salary due to me, to prevent my committing a dishonourable act'; he is packing up his collections, mainly of Orchidaceae, roots of Convolvulus, Trevirana, Gesnera, Sobralia macrantha and other perennials planted in pots; the acorns planted in small portable boxes are doing well, and he has more of the larger ones sent last year; he must continue his journey around mid-November for the Union [La Union, El Salvador] and the port of San Miguel [El Salvador], 120 leagues [360 miles] south-east, to ensure passage to Guayaquil [Ecuador]; he cannot therefore travel to Belize with his collections, but will write instructions to the captains, promising a compensation for taking care of the plants; all the foreigners were about to be 'turned out of this country, when to the consternation of all, an English man-of-war (Comus [HMS Comus]), the first of a squadron coming, was reported off the coast, to settle some old claims and to protect British interests, which has brought them again to their senses [Belize was formally declared 'Colony of British Honduras' in 1840]'; he asks the enclosures [not present] to be forwarded, 'and have the foreign postage paid on it'
Hartweg's accounts for 17 Sep-16 Oct 1840 comprise 'monthly allowance' $50, 'wages of mozo [servant]' $10, 'keeping of 2 horses & 1 mule' $11.5 and 'shoeing' $4, and 'received in cash' $112 from Messrs Aycinena. Written from Guatemala [Guatemala City, Guatemala]
Postmarked ('5 JA13 41', 'A 15JA15 1841', 'Cove JA12 1841', 'Cove ship letter', 'JA13 1841'). An opened seal is attached to the letter
Letter No 46
He acknowledges receipt of duplicate instructions and letter dated 15 Aug [this letter is not present in the collection] with descriptions and locations of plants to acquire in the province of Quito [Ecuador]; he asks for a list of 'the most desired objects, with their habitats and provincial names, or, if possible, a copy of Kunth's descriptions of Humboldt's plants [Carl Sigismund Kunth classified and compiled the botanical results of Alexander von Humboldt's and Aime Bonplan's expeditions to South America in 'Nova genera et species plantarum', 1815–1825]' or other similar books, his copy of 'the Bot. Reg. ['The Botanical Register', later known as 'Edwards' Botanical Register', an illustrated horticultural magazine], which perhaps Mr Turner [William Turner, British minister at New Granada] would do me the favour to bring out', and a map of Colombia; he had hoped to learn of 'arrangements about money affairs', but now they will not reach him in Guatemala; he will raise all the money due to him from Messrs Aycinena [Pedro & Ignacio de Aycinena, merchants in Guatemala], although he expects it to be difficult; he also requires another £100 of 'unexpired credit' from the treasurer through Messrs Aycinena, to last until he receives more instructions; letters to Guayaquil [Ecuador] can be sent to the care of the consul Mr Arthur Cope [sic; the consul in Ecuador was Walter Cope]; if they cannot send him a letter of credit, he requests a 'carte blanche, to draw where I like to a certain amount, as you will have ample security in the salary due to me, to prevent my committing a dishonourable act'; he is packing up his collections, mainly of Orchidaceae, roots of Convolvulus, Trevirana, Gesnera, Sobralia macrantha and other perennials planted in pots; the acorns planted in small portable boxes are doing well, and he has more of the larger ones sent last year; he must continue his journey around mid-November for the Union [La Union, El Salvador] and the port of San Miguel [El Salvador], 120 leagues [360 miles] south-east, to ensure passage to Guayaquil [Ecuador]; he cannot therefore travel to Belize with his collections, but will write instructions to the captains, promising a compensation for taking care of the plants; all the foreigners were about to be 'turned out of this country, when to the consternation of all, an English man-of-war (Comus [HMS Comus]), the first of a squadron coming, was reported off the coast, to settle some old claims and to protect British interests, which has brought them again to their senses [Belize was formally declared 'Colony of British Honduras' in 1840]'; he asks the enclosures [not present] to be forwarded, 'and have the foreign postage paid on it'
Hartweg's accounts for 17 Sep-16 Oct 1840 comprise 'monthly allowance' $50, 'wages of mozo [servant]' $10, 'keeping of 2 horses & 1 mule' $11.5 and 'shoeing' $4, and 'received in cash' $112 from Messrs Aycinena
Level - Item
Extent - 4 page letter (1 sheet)
Repository - Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library
Copyright - Royal Horticultural Society
Credit Line - RHS Lindley Collections
Usage terms - Non-commercial use with attribution permitted (CC BY-NC 4.0)