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Bailey, Jacob Whitman.

[Botanical drawings and letters].

Fort Moultrie, South Carolina; Bellona Arsenal, Virginia, 1833. 11 pp. of manuscript, 9 pp. of drawings. Ink on paper.

A series of detailed botanical drawings by noted American scientist Jacob Whitman Bailey (1811–1857), accompanied by four letters written when he was a young Army officer stationed in the South at the time of the nullification crisis in 1833.

Jacob Whitman Bailey, a graduate of West Point, went on to become its first professor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology, and was renowned as a pioneer in microscopic research in the United States. These letters, written in 1833 when he was stationed at For Moultrie, South Carolina and Bellona Arsenal, Virginia as an Army lieutenant, are addressed to Professor G.W. Keely in Waterville, Maine. Keely taught mathematics and natural philosophy at Waterville (now Colby) College. Bailey makes several references to the political issues surrounding him, especially the threats of secession then prevailing in South Carolina: “The first chance of hostility I stand a good chance of witnessing. Let me know if the seals of my letters look as if they had been tampered with.” The threat of war receded when Congress passed the Compromise of 1833, however, and though Bailey met his military obligations faithfully, his letters indicate that his true interest—although he calls it a hobby—was roaming the woods to observe and gather plant specimens:

Bellona Arsenal, Va. July 4th, 1833. I went to Richmond on business the other day and walked back to the Arsenal along the banks of the James River canal. This is a delightful walk for any one, but possesses a thousand charms for the botanist. The canal runs within a stones throw of the James River and is bounded on the other side by picturesque rocks or verdant hills…One bank of the canal where the tow path is, is shaded by a fine growth of locusts, an immense variety of oaks, several species of the tupelo tree, and occasionally the honey locust, over all of which the superb vine, the Bignonia radicans climb, sometimes to the height of 40 or 50 feet, putting out its beautiful bunches of scarlet flowers among the foliage, and making the trees appear as if they produced the flowers with which they are cloaked.

Bailey had considerable knowledge of botany, as evidenced in part by his critiques of and deep engagement with other botanical texts. He was apparently compiling lists of plants in various areas, perhaps for future publication, and encouraged his colleague in Waterville to do the same. He notes:

Bellona Arsenal, Va. May 13th, 1833. I am satisfied that such a list is needed, for I am constantly meeting in botanical works with gross errors with regard to the Northern limits of American plants. For instance in Lindley, Introduction to the Nat Syst. of Botany, he says that the genus Hydropholis is not found North of New Jersey, while it is well known to be common in the South part of New England…This error is overlooked by Torrey who edited the American edition of this most valuable work. It is the most delightful, philosophic treatise I have ever seen. I was much struck with the theory which it contains, “that all parts of a flower are metamorphosed leaves. You will find hundreds of cases where this appears evident (…it makes me wonder I never thought of it).

The drawings, most of which are undated although a few are from 1832, are neatly accomplished and carefully labeled, some with extended descriptions. Of hydnum gelatinosum he writes: “resembles the tongue of an animal. pubescent or wooly on the upper surface particularly the larger specimens. Size from 1/2 inch to 3 inches Diameter Watery White.” A note on peziza polymorpha reads: “Disk perfectly black ‘shining like pitch’ flat or slightly convex. Stem or cup brown near the disk black at the base; elastic, resembles India rubber but ‘rather adhesive.’ On an oak tree recently cut down.” One sheet of drawings, labelled “Sheet A – Phenogamia,” depicts 37 plants, including Azalea Nudiflora, Viola Sagittata leaf, Canvallasia Multiflora, and Staphylaea Trifolia.

Bailey is known for his numerous improvements to the microscope, and for being one of the first scientists to conduct systematic research of American algae, of which he amassed an extensive and outstanding collection, including microscopic specimens. He was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1845, and he served as President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1857.

An interesting collection of letters and drawings offering a glimpse into the early career of an important, mid-nineteenth century American scientist.

CONDITION: Very good, a few minor tears.

Item #2500

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