5 10 48 https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/55ef26133a2d648ee51bec11ead26831.png 6d9ca7da11cda4a78119649d892007d0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Trade Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource International Trade of cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The imports, whether by way of merchandize [sic.] or [peiars?] consist chiefly in gold and silver [silks?], damasks, cloths, spices, tin, iron, plated brass, [lead?], quicksliver, cordage, [rail?] of cloths, bullets, linen, cochineal, tartar, allum, rice, sugar, soap, cotton raw and spun, coppers, aloes, [Benzil?] and logwood, vermillion, arsenic, gum, [lack?], sulphur [sic.], opium, anise, and cummin-seen, mastic, sarsaparilla, aspic, frankincense, [galle?], honey, [paper old?], and new cards, combo, dried fruits, and variety of wollen stuff. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Present State of Algiers Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource An extract of an article origination published in an American newspaper describing the international trade of the Cochineal. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rivington's New York Gazetteer (New York, New York), no. 130, pg. 1. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Readex: America's Historical Newspapers. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2:1036CCE0AF8F6658@EANX-1043EC70A79F45E7@2369650-1043EC70D0BA4652@0-1043EC71F84BB56E@Present+State+of+Algiers. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 12, 1775 Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/c6665776098abd3a6032781b6b5cb365.pdf 4db4b9a1c32bd8562be5f9caae3b713b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Trade Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource International Trade of cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Return of Vessels entered at the Custom-House, New-York, March 2d, to March 8th, 1799 [column headings: Dates, Vessels, Captains, From Where, Cargo, Ship's Husband, Configances?] 2. Brig Cereces. Duplex. Havannah. Sugar, cochineal, and logwood. Henry Sadler & co. Henry Sadler & co. Schr. Tourierlle. Wadsworth. St. Thomas. Rum, sugar, coffee, and cocoa. Alexis Bonamy. B. Legrave, C. Delavigne. Leomis and [illegible], Alexis Bonamy, G. and S. [illegable] John Blagge Brig Polly & Nancy. Dockray. Havannah. Molasses and Sugar. The Master. William and Silvester Robinson. 4. Schr. Juliana. Everer. Havannah. Logwood, sugar, and segars [sic.]. Archibald Gracie. Arche. Gracie, and William Thomas. Schr. Enterprise. Horton. Havannah. Sugar, oranges, and logwood. The Consignees. Selod, Maitland and co. Sloop Elizabeth. McCormick. New-Orleans. Tobacco, cotton, &c. D.R. Durning. D.R. Durning. Sloop Minerva. Talmau. Isle of May. Salt. Isaac Hicks. Issac Hicks 5. Marin Elizabeth. Krunenburg. Hamburgh. Linen, hemp, glass, brandy. Foreign. D. Ludlow, and co. C.T. Vogel, [Won. Williamding?], J.L. Stenbach, Isaac Roger. 7. Schooner Swallow. Connor. Curracoa. Indigo, hides, coffee, [Tho. Staggjun?]. Thoma [Staggjun?], James Swords. 8. Sloop Akerly. Warner. Havannah. Sugars, segars [sic.], and logwood. Minturn and Bowne. Minturn and Bowne. Sloop Richard. Scovil. St. Kitts. Rum. -. Gouverneur and Kemble. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Return of Vessels entered at the Custom-House, New-York Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource A table published in an American newspaper describing the international trade of the Cochineal. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Mercantile Advertiser (New York, New York), no. 2072, pg. 2. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Readex: America's Historical Newspapers. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2:10CCB11A7B28F178@EANX-10D0290909573858@2378202-10D029095DAE2CD0@1-10D0290AF91D1800@. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 12, 1799 Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/a08fda1c99f9acf133fa29f2553a311b.pdf 392903ff676489787ad8aa5ac13a050e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Trade Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource International Trade of cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Rochel, Novemb. 10. A French Ship called St. Francis arrived her the 4th instance from the Havana, with Advice, that on the 17th of Agust a Sloop arrived there with a Particulars of the unfortunate loss of the Spanish Flotilla, under the Command of the Admiral Don Juan de Ubilla, and 6 other Ships commanded by the Sieur de Cheves, of which he has brought the following Account. The 24th of July the said Flotilla, consisting of 8 Ships, the 6 Galleons of Cheves, and the Gryphin, sailed out of the Havana, and at Four of the Clock were out of the Harbour, steering their Course to the Mouth of the Channel of Bahama; but the Wind being not very favorable, they [found?] it more difficult than usually and when they came to the [?] Channel, they found that they were too near the Coast of Florida, and not above 40 Miles from the Coast; and being overtaken there with a dreadful Hurricane from the North-East, they found it impossible to get to Sea or carry their Sails, and having cut down all their Masts, they were at last obliged, the 31st, to run Ashore, whereby all of 'em were stav'd to Pieces. The Passengers on Board those Ships thought only of saving their Lives, but the Seamen broke open the Chests in hopes to save themselves Ashore with the Money, but this occasioned their loss. The Ship called the Flying Hard was the only one that escaped. The Admiral having sent an Account of this Misfortune to the Havana, the Governour sent immediately thither all the Ships that were in that Harbour, in order to [fill?] up the Gold and Silver of which they had already saved a great part, especially from the Ship called Urca de Luna; and they hope to save the greatest part of the rest because the Sea is not very deep where the Ships stranded, which is on the Coast of Florida, within 50 Leagues of the Cape St. Augustine, and 20 from the Cape Canaveral, but the rest of their Cargo, consisting of Cochineal Sugar and other valuable Goods, is altogether lost. The Ship St. Francis, which brought this dismal Account, has a very rich Cargo, and 350000 Pieces of Eight. That Ship has brought Advice, that out of the Capitans 210 Persons were drowned, and amongst them the General Captain, the Marquis de la Puebla, 2 Jesuits and several Passengers of Note; out of the Patache there were 25 Men drowned, and amongst them 5 Persons of Quality. There 400 Men lost out of the Ships of Cheves, and amongst them his Son; out of the Admiral 120, and amongst them 4 Persons of Distinction and out of the Urca 31 Seamen. The Captain of the St. Francis will make us believe, that that Fleet had on Board 16 or 17 Millions of Pieces of Eight, 16 or 18000 Quintals of Cochineal, 600000 Pounds of Indigo, 50000 Quintals of Tobacco, 100 Chests of Banilles, and several other Goods. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rochel, Novemb. 10 Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource Article published in an American newspaper describing the international trade of the Cochineal. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Boston News-Letter (Boston, Massachusetts), pg. 1 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Readex: America's Historical Newspapers. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2:1036CD221971FE08@EANX-105662E45C7D7550@2348055-105662E4625EB15F@0-105662E4A3928D37@Rochel%2C+Novemb.+10. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 20 to August 27, 1716 Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/7ce2d041b2aca58afecc18944f405890.jpg eb5b6cff6c178b491f150efb773617e8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource South Sea Company Map Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource Map created by the South Sea Company Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Moll, Herman. A View of the Coasts, Countries and Islands Within the Limits of the South Sea Company [...] (London: J. Morphew, 1711). Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/viewofcoastscoun00moll/page/n11 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1711 Type The nature or genre of the resource Image https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/82e588c3c581e263ec56724061e6809c.pdf 130daa61f07c0354097bd6660b492e63 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Trade Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource International Trade of cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Spain. Cadiz, March 3. The day before yesterday, a brigantine entered this port for Guayra. Her cargo consists of 16,139 crowns, 3, 727 bushels of cocoa, 133,869 lb, of anniseed, 1,585 raw hides, and 2211 deer skins. The frigate St. Catherine, from Havana, brought 657,561 piastres for the King, & 293,163 for private merchants; 92 marks of wrought silver, and 280 arobes of cochineal. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Spain Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource Article published in an American newspaper describing the international trade of the Cochineal. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Salem Mercury (Salem, Massachusetts) III, no. 142, pg. 2. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Readex: America's Historical Newspapers. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2:1080E75805178338@EANX-1084FE4D69EB4ED8@2374660-1084FE4D9C5D8150@1-1084FE4E2F1B0178@Spain.+Cadiz%2C+March3. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 30, 1789 https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/942358e0a9fd69e79cf3819aad6f9e43.pdf fb3d5f40ae0f21a8d0472cb842371495 https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/75ad26f2a43ce0ac97bd383f7684e313.pdf 3599dcb3a7dda907a8d8751079ac1ade Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Plantations Subject The topic of the resource Plantations of the Cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Memoir on the Bengal Cochineal: by Dr. Nicolas Fontano. The introduction of the cochineal insect into Bengal, which our neighbours had endeavoured to naturalize in their West India possessions, is an event that deserves to be particularly marked, as being likely, under proper management, to become not only a new aera in the progressive resources of the East India Company, but an accession of opulence to the British empire;—an aera the more remarkable, as, notwithstanding the attempts of government, the design was not accomplished but through accident, the great parent of discovery, and which, with never ceasing influence, operates in so many ways for the good of man-kind. After a large plantation of the various species of Opuntia had been reared at Madras, waiting only for the arrival of the insect to make it serviceable, which a long correspondence (from the year 1787 to 1790) could not obtain, Dr. Anderson's repeated solicitations about it had been almost forgotten; yet, though his laborious industry, and zeal for his country's interest, had no other reward, the introduction of the cochineal insect into India is entirely owing to his publications on the subject, which fortunately fell into the hands of Captain Nelson, who was then stationed at Madras with the 52d regiment. On the Captain's return to India in 1795, the fleet, in which he came, repaired for refreshments to the coast of Brazil, and anchored in the port of Rio de Janeiro. In his perambulations a little way out of town, in which he was attended with the usual guard, he saw a plantation of Opuntia, with the insect on it. This circumstance immediately brought to his recollection the ardent wish for the importation of the insect expressed in the letters he had read at Madras; and he conceived the hope of being able to gratify Dr. Anderson's desire, by carrying some to India with him. A day or two previous to his embarkation, he took another walk to the place where he had seen the Opuntia, or Napal; and made bold to ask the cultivators for some of the plants, being curious, he said, in matters of natural history. Having collected several other plants, he wished to have this also. The good people, being the less suspicious of any design, as he was in his regimentals, granted his request. They gave him several plants with insects upon them, which he carefully carried on board. Many of these, during the passage to Bengal, which was rather too long and tedious for the transportation of such delicate passengers, died. A few insects only remained alive on the last plant, several of the leaves having withered. Captain Nelson, on his arrival in Calcutta, sent the survivors to the botanic garden, where they were distributed on the several species of the Opuntia. This well nigh frustrated the whole labour. On the China and Manilla species of the Napal they were found to die fast. It fortunately occurred, to make trial of the indigenous Opuntia of Bengal, which is also abundant in many parts of India. On this the insects thrived amazingly; insomuch that, from these few, in the course of four or five months, a quantity had been collected sufficient for distribution among all who wished to try the rearing of them; and several plants, on which the insects were feeding, were sent to Madras. The novelty and importance of the object, promising so plentiful and speedy a harvest of fortune, engaged a multitude of individuals to undertake the business; and this, no doubt, the more readily, as the cultivation of this rich field of wealth required but very little capital. Many golden dreams were enjoyed by the new planters. All who had a mind were provided with insects, and undertook plantations of Opuntia. The anxiety and impatience natural to all, who, indulging in ardent expectations, undertake new enterprizes, induced some of the first cultivators of the Napal, to put the insect upon it, when the plant had scarcely emerged from the ground. Others, through in-attention, kept their insects in places too near to the young plantations, where the Opuntia was growing, which, in a tender and premature state, was devoured by those creatures when hard pressed by hunger. The unskilful mode of drying the insect was adopted likewise: and some of those persons, whose opinions lead the multitude, declared in the most decided and positive manner, that the Cochineal would never answer, as it would not be found worth the trouble and expence attending the cultivation of it. All these circumstances damped, in a great measure, the ardour of the enterprize. Many abandoned the pursuit, and left the insects to provide for themselves, after the plants destined for their use were destroyed, wherever they could find nourishment. They were seen flying about indiscriminately on various other plants, and thus perishing; while others rooted out the plantations, and employed the ground for other purposes. Beside the discouraging circumstances already mentioned, it was urged, that the species of insect imported into India was only the Grana Sylvestris, and that the first specimens sent home had been found to be of no value. They had grown lumpy and musty for want of being properly dried, or thoroughly divested of the cottony substance, with which the insect is covered. But supposing, it was added, that a proper mode of drying and preparing it could be found out, and the cultivation of it brought to the greatest perfection, it would soon overstock the market, as there is a certain quantity only, and that not very great, which is required for Europe. This would soon be supplied, and loss instead of gain would accrue to the planters. This excess, however, it was farther urged, was to be presumed only in the case of the country being able to supply plants sufficient for the food of the insect, which was very doubtful, on account of its quick re-production, as it sends forth a new generation every forty days. These, with other objections of less force, may easily be refuted by any impartial observer, acquainted with the nature of the climate and soil of India, even without any kind of knowledge in agriculture. In so vast an extent of territory as that of the East India Company, and lying under such a variety of climates, it is not surely either impossible, or very difficult, to find out a climate and soil fitted for the naturalization and rearing of the Cochineal insect, and where the plants will grow to the proper size required for affording it proper food; in the same manner as in some districts of Mexico, where the people, who take most pains, have them of such a height, as to require ladders to gather the insect. Such a state of the plant would check the too rapid reproduction of the insect, and at the same time improve its quality; for it is a fact, that the Sylveſter Cochineal, when bred upon a good full-grown Napal, loses part of its tenacity, grows to double the size of that gathered on puny plants, and less covered with the cottony substance. The cultivation of Cochineal would, in all probability, be greatly favoured by the vicinity of a hilly country, such as the Banglapore, Rajam-Mahrul, and Purneah. It can be ascertained, by good authority, that there are already in the Chittegong district, plantations of extraordinary large Opuntias, which have been growing for two years past. Whenever the insect shall be placed on these plants, we shall see Cochineal of a very good quality. The nature and habits of the natives seem entirely calculated for the employment of gathering the insect; work that might be done by old men, women, and boys. As to the drying of the insects, there is no country where the sun has such power as in Bengal. The method of drying in the sun, after scalding the insect in hot water, is that which is practised in Mexico; and in Brazil the insects collected in wooden bowls are thinly spread from them upon a hot dish of earthen ware, and placed alive over a charcoal fire, where they are slowly roasted, until the downy covering disappears, and the aqueous juices of the animal are totally evaporated. During this operation the insects are constantly stirred about with a tin ladle, and ſometimes water is sprinkled upon them to prevent absolute torrefaction, which would destroy the colour; but a little practice will teach when to remove them from the fire: though surely its barbarity ought to prevent its adoption. By an estimate, made on a large scale, of the necessary expence that would attend the cultivation of a hundred bighas of ground planted with Opuntia, it appeared, that, after making every possible allowance for ground-rent, ryots, gathering, an European overseer, and interest on disbursements at twelve per cent. the quantity produced of Grana Sylvestris, during nine months in a year, reckoning it at four ficca rupees per seer, or thirty-two ounces, would more than treble the capital employed. But, if this calculation be just, made in the vicinity of Calcutta, (and there is not any reason to suppose it otherwise) where labour and ground-rent is dear, how much less would the whole expence of cultivation and preparation be, if transferred to a greater distance, and to the other provinces! When the insect is well dried, it should be packed immediately, as it night otherwise be affected by the damp air of Bengal. In this business the method used in Mexico should be followed, which is, to put it first in a tight linen bag, covered over with a compact mat, and then over the whole an ox's hide ſewed ſo closely as to render it impervious to water. For some of the Cochineal, which I wanted for the purpose of making some experiments, collected at En-taly, two miles from Calcutta, in 1795–96, I paid sixteen rupees per seer: for the same quantity raised by another planter the following year, eight rupees: and in 1797, I might have bought a great quantity, part of which came one hundred miles from Calcutta, at five rupees per seer. The improvability of the Grana Sylvestris by due attention, will be ascertained more clearly by the following fact than by a thousand arguments. Some merchants, at my recommendation, bought about two hundred pounds of cochineal made at Rassapughlah, five miles from Calcutta, at five rupees per seer. The same house paid for seven maunds, or two hundred and eighty seers, to Mr. Stephens of Keerpoy, seven rupees per seer, in October 1797; and I can say, that it was the best of the sort that had yet been seen in town, both for its size, cleaning, and drying. Let us now suppose, for a moment, such Cochineal as that made at Keerpoy to be the best that can ever be obtained in Bengal, and that the above may be within a rupee more or less the average price. The Grana Fina that is brought to Bengal, by the way of Manilla, ſells, when abundant, at sixteen rupees per seer, but oftener at nineteen or twenty. The Bengal Sylvestris contains only from nine to ten sixteenth parts of the colouring matter found in the other; but say only one half, so that the manufacturer will be obliged to use two seers instead of one, the quality of the colour supposed to be the same. Even at this rate the silk manufactories in Bengal might be supplied with it with a yearly saving. After supplying this market, if the quantity be increased, there will be a demand for it for the China and English markets, though only of the Sylvester kind. Supposing it for ever to remain such by leaving it to the care of the indolent natives only, even this would be a great acquisition, considering the various ways in which it can be employed by the dyers. Besides, if the prices were immediately to fall, so as not to indemnify the present charges of freight and insurance to the private adventurer, how easy would it be to reduce the insect to a much smaller bulk, by making a lake, and producing carmine, no less valuable than the Grana Fina. The overstocking of the markets, however, with a drug so important and of such extensive use, is not a thing that is very likely soon to happen. The manufacturer, wherever he should find it at a price lower than common, would use it generally, and substitute it in the room of other materials for reds, such as madder, redwood, &c. used for woollens and silks, beside the great variety of shades, from scarlet and crimson, down to all those various tints to be obtained by various modifications of re-agents from Cochineal, with a brilliancy and stability, that would soon repay the small additional expences that might be incurred by this substitution. It is a thing greatly to be wished, as it must be by every good citizen and patriot, that the Bengal Cochineal may soon be brought to such a degree of perfection, and produced in such plenty, as to admit of a reduction in the price, sufficient to induce the calico-printers in Europe, to use it more commonly than hitherto in the dying of cotton; which would open a much wider field for its consumption. As to the shyness of cotton to the admission of this animal colour, it is not an obstacle, that ought, by any means, to be considered as insurmountable in the present state of chemistry, advancing so rapidly to farther and farther improvement; and particularly applying, with vast success, many of its operations to the art of dying. The few unsuccessful attempts made by manufacturers and chemical philosophers, to fix this colour on cotton, have been retarded more by the dearness of the drug, than by any impracticability of the design: this exhausted at once the purse and the patience of both the artist and the chemist, and precluded that continuation, repetition, and diversification of experiment, which is usually found necessary to the completion of new inventions. It was upon cotton, that the Spaniards first saw the Cochineal used at Mexico; but, for want of preparation, it communicated to the stuff but a dull crimson. When some of the dried Bengal insect was shown to a vakeel of the rajah of Napal, residing as minister to our government in Calcutta, he soon knew it, and declared, that it is always used in his country in dying their robes and turbans red. The opportunity of having the management of a chintz manufactory, induced me to make some trials of the Cochineal in cotton, cloth, and thread. By these it was ascertained, that the quantity of colouring matter contained in the Bengal Cochineal of 1796, compared with the Grana Fina, was from nine or eleven to sixteen. I then repeated, as far as the chemical re-agents to be procured in India would permit, various experiments of the kind mentioned by Dr. Bancroft in his first volume of the Philosophy of Fast Colours, and nearly with the same success, in variety of shades and degrees of permanency. From these experiments there resulted two considerable advantages to that manufactory: the first was, that I was thereby induced to make an addition of a certain quantity of powdered Cochineal to the morinda roof, for the fine cloths and muslins, that were to undergo the boiling process in the vat: the second, that I was led to mix with the basis for printing red, or alum, a decoction of Cochineal, inſtead of the turmerick, or red wood, formerly used by printers in tracing their designs. This last substitute was only boiled in simple morinda, and the other with the addition of Cochineal. By this process, such deep and brilliant reds were obtained as had not been seen in Bengal before. The cultivation, therefore, of the cochineal insect, is an object worthy of all the countenance and care of government. The attempts toward its naturalization ought not, by any means, to be abandoned, but continued with persevering industry, and unwearied attention to every circumstance that may promote so important a branch of commerce. For this article we send annually immense sums to the Spaniards. Not only might this expence be saved to Britain; but, in due time, the rest of the world might be supplied from the Bengal produce of this valuable commodity. It is in the recollection of most people, conversant in India affairs, how the specimens of indigo first sent home from Bengal were depreciated and rejected. Hence the cultivation of it was obstructed for some years. But, when it began to be attended to in 1780, and 1782, by people who were acquainted with the best modes of manufacturing it, it was improved with such rapidity, that in the year 1790, some of the Bengal indigo was judged to be equal to the Guatimala, and bore the same price. The quantity sent home in the year 1795-6, was far beyond what had been ever imported into the port of London in any one year from all other parts of the world, and much more than is required by the annual consumption of Europe. This drug, falling in price, taught the planters an useful lesson, namely, that, as good indigo will always yield a profit, it is better to pay regard to the improvement of the quality, than the increase of the quantity. But the use of indigo, in the dye-house, is very circumscribed, and confined chiefly to the colours of blue and green. It gives also a few finer blacks with blue grounds; but it cannot, like Cochineal, be applied to the various principal colours, as crimson, scarlet, purple, &c. and to the intermediate shades. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Asiatic Annual Register Subject The topic of the resource Plantations International Trade Description An account of the resource An excerpt from a book describing the international trade of the cochineal and a plantation in India by the British. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Asiatic Annual Register; or, a View of the History of Hindustan and the Commerce and Literature of Asia, For the Year 1799, (London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1800): 170-175. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Public Domain, Google Digitized https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433081882361 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1800 Type The nature or genre of the resource Book https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/d51a9f00a8ebc75a3b72f1d2308f61df.pdf bfa3bc2cb288651d877571826041d166 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource International Trade Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource International Trade of cochineal Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The following Description of the Kingdom of Morocco, may, no doubt, be agreeable to our Readers at this Time, as they have lately declared War against His Britannick Majesty. Morocco, Empire, in Africa, comprehending the kingdoms of Fez and Morocco, is bounded by the Mediterranean sea on the N. by the river Fulvia, which divides it from Algiers, on the E. by Bildulgerid on the S. and by the Atlantic ocean on the W. being about 500 m. long, and 200 broad. It is a fine country, consisting of mountains and vast extended plains, none of them unfruitful; of the mountains, those of Atlas, and the chief, extending from Algiers in the E. to the ocean in the W. which from them has obtained the name of the Atlantic ocean. Their animals of most use here, are camels, and they have a very fine breed of horses; and in their deserts are found lyons [sic], tygers [sic], leopards, and serpents of a prodigious size, it travellers don't deceive us. Their soil produces good wheat, rice, and barley, and would yield a great deal more, if well cultivated; but only the Jews plant the vine; the olive also thrives here, and yields excellent oil. They have also dates, figs, almonds, lemons, oranges, pomegranetes, and a variety of other fruits; nor do they want flax or hemp; but wood, especially timber, is scarce here. They have no ships of war, only some small pyratical [sic] vessels, which they crowd with men, and take great prizes sometimes, especially the Saller rovers; but as for merchant-ships or a foreign trade, they carry on none on their own bottoms. Their trade by land is either with Arabia or Negroland; to Mecca they send caravans consisting of several thousand camels, horses, and mules, twice every year, partly for traffic, and partly on a religious account, great numbers of pilgrims taking this opportunity of visiting Mecca. They carry thither fine wollen manufactures, Morocco-skins, indigo, cochineal, and ostrich feathers bring back silks, muslins, calicoes, coffee, and drugs. By the caravans which go to Negroland, they send salt, silk, and woolen manufactures, taking gold, ivory, and Negro slaves in return; and with these [?] roes the Emperor recruits his cavalry. The Emperor is absolute in his dominions, and the crown is said to be hereditary, but it there be more sons than one, they usually fight it out on the decease of their father, til there is but one left. This nation is disturbed by civil wars on every change, but the Prince who is most in favour with the soldiers usually succeeds; for there is always a very numerous army kept up. It is computed that the black cavalry and infantry alone, amount to 40,000 men, and the Moorish horses and foot (which are white or tawny rather) amount to near as many, but the Blacks are esteemed their best horse, and these they chiefly [ide?] on, both in their domestic and foreign wars. The revenues of the Emperor arise from the tenth of all corn, and of all captives and prizes taken, and duties on goods imported and exported, the whole ammounting to 500 quintals of silver, each quintal 330 l. sterling. As to their religion it is Mohometanism, and I think of the Persian sect; and there are great numbers of Santos and Marabouts, that pretend, like other hermits, to a more than ordinary sanctity, and have a great influence over this people. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The following Description of the Kingdom of Morocco Subject The topic of the resource International Trade Description An account of the resource Article published in an American newspaper describing the international trade of the Cochineal. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New-York Mercury (New York, New York), no. 352, pg.4. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Readex: America's Historical Newspapers. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2:10DBEB948F3572A8@EANX-10DEF0CD9BC0A8F8@2363655-10DEF0CE42ABDE50@5-10DEF0CFB4626E50@. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 14, 1759 Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Article https://commerceofthecochineal.com/files/original/26c22d73c3a7fe255c87c4c0a97f1ea7.pdf 47ed9f6e4e2ba04a0c4d004af1833ae7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Piracy of the Cochineal Subject The topic of the resource Piracy Description An account of the resource A Description of how the Cochineal was stolen by pirates Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Pg. 753 After communicating to the minister of His Majesty at the head of the naval department the plan I had laid of naturalizing the nopal and cochineal insect in the French colonies, and receiving with his approbation of my design the means requisite for insuring its success, I made all diligence to put this plan in practice. In this view I embarked for Port-au-Prince, and arrived there after a passage, equally tedious and fatiguing, of sixty-six days. Tired and disgusted with the sea I determined on enjoying ease for the space of a month or two on shore, a relaxation for which length of time appeared to me necessary towards my becoming acquainted with the mode to be adopted for penetrating into the interior of the Spanish territory bordering on that belonging to France, whence I expected to find a more ready conveyance to Vera Cruz, or to Honduras. Already had I formed schemes for proceeding to Santo Domingo, or, at any rate, for seeking at the Cape an opportunity of reaching Havannah by the vessels of the [Assiento?]company, which pass between that place and the Cape in the traffic for slaves; but I could not disguise from myself that either of these two plans was attended with inconvenience. I was still wavering in opinion respecting the most prudent plan to adopt, when, by one of those fortunate events which, occasionally, in my travels, I was so happy to experience, I was relieved from all perplexity. I learned that a merchant of Port-au-Prince was about to dispatch a brigantine to Havannah for the purpose of recovering the cargo of a vessel which had been wrecked in its vicinage. Instantly, altogether mindless of the comforts I began to enjoy in a country which I had so ardently desired to see; disregarding the want even which I physically experienced of some repose, I resolved to avail myself of this opportunity. Repairing, Pg. 754 therefore, to the intendant of the colony, I obtained from him a passport in which I was designated botanist and physician. This latter title, to which I had just pretensions, possessing a diploma for the practice of physic, I conceived would enable me to travel with additional pleasantness, and render me less suspected than I might otherwise be in my incursion into New Spain. To conclude, I received, in lieu of six thousand livres promised me by the minister of the navy, no more than four thousand, a circumstance occasioned by the deficiency of money in the treasury. However small this sum I refrained from all contention in the matter. I was indeed far more fearful of not undertaking the voyage than of the want of comforts to which I might be exposed; nay, after a nice computation of the amount I might need, I decided on carrying with me no more than two thousand livres; nor let my decision be charged with arising from a sordid parsimony, it was not for my individual benefit I thus made a retrenchment from the expence incident on an undertaking of such importance, and resolved on submitting to every sacrifice to ensure its completion: no; by thus acting I preserved a resource in case of the failure of my first attempts. Eventually I might meet with opposition to my views at the Havannah, and waste there much time and money; in which case I should have means left for trying other expedients, seeing that Porto Bello, Carthagena, and St. Thomas de Honduras, were so many other roads I might attempt with prospect of success… Pg. 757 We had scarcely cast anchor [at Havana] before we were surrounded by a number of boats, in which were many idlers, and inquisitive individuals, who immediately boarded us; four officers of the customs came in the number, who were succeeded by a major of the navy, with four soldiers from the ship of the admiral of the port, a vessel of sixty-four guns; finally, the aide-major of the place, with a serjeant [sic.] and four fusiliers seconded these; our brigantine was crowded, and resembled a prize; the officers of the contadors, and those belonging to the navy and the land service, separately interrogated us, and received our declarations in writing of the motives of our voyage. For my part, I stated that I was a botanist, and came with intention of herborising. In reply to the consequent question, if we had not plants in our own country? I acknowledged that we were not deficient in that respect, but that those of the Havannah had the credit of possessing superior virtues. This, like all those representations which flatter Spanish vanity, attracted towards me a degree of consideration which was the more augmented, when by a viso of my passport, they noticed I was a regular physician: at this instant also a passenger secretly, and in confidence, imparted to some of the Spaniards that I was not only a physician, but one also of great eminence, who, however, wished to hide my abilities, fearful if they should become public, that I might be impelled to exercise them in the city: this communication much encreased the respect shewn to me from several quarters. Pg. 758 So little congenial with my feelings was this mode of life, that it caused me to look upon our ship as a prison: the fancy had a powerful effect on me; and whether to this, whether to the thick and heavy air we breathed in the port, enclosed as it is by hills on every side, the complaint was to be ascribed, I felt a violent head-ach, and breathed with great difficulty; succeeded to these symptoms a fever, with prognostics of a serious disorder. I immediately had recource to a strict diet, and pectoral and refreshing potations; and the very day wrote to M.Dorrira, the intendant of the port, to the Marquis de la Tour, the governor, and to Don Juan Davant, the King's lieutenant, exposing in my letters that my profession was one which could give no room for suspicion, and my state of health such as rendered confinement on board the ship not only very irksome, but even dangerous; I represented to them, moreover, the persuasion I felt, from the high opinion held of them by the public in general, that, under the circumstances I detailed, they would offer no objection to my request: to be allowed to go on shore. By eight o'clock in the morning next day I dispatched my letters, and as early as nine I received a most obliging and favorable answer from the intendant; but already the King's lieutenant, apprehensive for my health, the injury I sustained, which had been confirmed to him, sent the aide-major of the place on board, to bring me on shore, and offer me the house of one of his friends for my residence until I should recover. I immediately left the ship, leaving my effects on board, fearful of the arrival of dome counter-order, and afterwards paid a visit to the two gentlemen mentioned, for the purpose of returning them my thanks… Pg. 766 Already had six months elapsed since my arrival at the Havannah, during which I had incessantly been tormented with the desire of completing my enterprize: the time appeared to me in consequence intolerably tedious. I delayed thus long the prosecution of my plan merely to prevent my becoming suspected by a people naturally jealous and mistrustful, and whose eyes were confluently upon me: the better to lull suspicion respecting the real object of my researches, I constantly affected the heedlessness of a man intent on harborizing; but, at length, weary of the slate of incertitude in which I lived, and yielding to the impulse which directed me to Vera Cruz, I began to think seriously of the means of reaching that city. I thought it prudent still to use stratagem, and pretending to be actuated by that volatility and inconstancy of disposition, oftentimes with so little propriety ascribed to Frenchmen, and which occasionally is so favourable a cover to deep designs, I feigned to be overcome with ennui from my long stay at the Havannah, and the too narrow limits prescribed me as a botanist, I readily obtained belief, and met with commiseration; and by this trick partly, and partly by a fortunate occurrence of which I availed myself, I succeeded to the height of my wishes. Pg. 767 This subject of our conversation gave room for my observing, that I also should have been delighted with an opportunity of visiting Peru; but that, as my time was limited, and my means deficient for this purpose, I should feel much pleasure if any chance should enable me to traverse Mexico. Don Ruick instantly tendered me his service towards procuring me the facility of making this journey ; he was already highly interested in my favor from my intimacy with Mr. [Juffieu?], promised me letters for Don Antonio Uloa, at that time general of the fleet at Vera Cruz, and generously proffered to become my surety in a bond of a hundred thousand dollars. This, certainly, was a very lucky incident, and a handsome progress towards the effectuation of my designs; but this was not all; I yet feared left the governor should object to grant me a passport, notwithstanding he had promised he would upon the inclination I expressed of seeing a country, in the praise of which he was no less lavish than the rest of his countrymen, prone to think well of their possessions. … I now made preparation for my departure, without communicating my intentions to any one breathing, not even my host: the packet for Vera Cruz was to sail in three days time, and short as the notice, I resolved not to miss the opportunity before me. Pg. 768 I waited but little ere the governor approached towards me with that benignant look his features commonly wore, and enquired what my wishes? I took the liberty of reminding him of the promise he had made of granting me a passport for Mexico; and stated I had come for the purpose of obtaining it. He gave it me at the instant, and without making it dear, as is but too common with his equals, by thousands of difficulties and delays; he merely told me he was fearful I might not eventually meet with that gracious reception from the viceroy of Mexico which he himself desired; concluding with wishing me success on my voyage. I thanked him for his kindness, and after paying my respects withdrew… In possession of my passport the liveliness of my joy was proportioned to the inquietude I had felt respecting the possibility of my procuring it; folded in my pocket I kept it as the dearest treasure, and woe to him should dare to ravish it from my possession! That it might be perfectly secure I flew to place it in safety; I hastened light as air to Don Ruick, who gave me his letters for Don Antonio Uloa; I embraced him while I assured him of my devotion and gratitude, and returned to my host: to sup with a feeling of contentment which defies expression. Then only did I speak of my departure: though apparently grieved to lose me, as he reckoned upon my longer stay, mine host yet condescended to share the joy I expressed, and gave me letters for a merchant at Vera Cruz, and, a settler at Theulchistan, on the road to Mexico. Pg. 773 Don Fernan Palacio, governor of Vera Cruz, was a very different character to the general of the fleet: his sour looks, his rough tone of voice, and rude speech, predisposed one against him at once. He readily granted me permission to reside at Vera Cruz, Pg. 774 and botanize in his government; but refused to return my passport, which the general recommended me to ask for; and at my departure pretended even it was mislaid. I afterwards learnt that he assumed the governor of the Havannah had no privilege to grant similar passports, and intended to avail himself of mine, to his discredit, for which purpose he was so obstinate in refusing it me. Pg. 782 I had now been six weeks at Vera Cruz, nor would my stay have seemed long to me, but for the anxious, the impatient desire I nourished in the inmost recesses of the heart, of penetrating deeper into the country, and attaining the end of all my secret prayers. Not all of this delay however was thriftless; as a furtherance of my designs, I listened to all I heard; and put opportune questions occasionally, as if on a matter of indifference, and merely for the satisfaction of an idle curiosity; and by such means succeeded, without the lead indiscretion, in forming conception of the measures by which my enterprize might be carried into effect. One day while conversing with M. de Fersen on the subject of the riches of our colonies, and the commerce they induced, he enquired of me if we cultivated cochineal? I answered in a careless manner “yes, certainly.” “What,” replied he with astonishment, mingled with vexation strongly depicted in his countenance, “do the French then mean to deprive us of this branch of commerce hitherto exclusively our own?” “Why not,” rejoined I, smiling, and rallying him: “do you then fancy yourself privileged wholly to monopolize this excellent boon of nature?” “In what part of St. Domingo then is cochineal cultivated?" enquired he. “At Fond des Negres,” I boldly answered, for having already deviated from fact, I thought it improper to draw back, and was at the time far from being aware of speaking the real truth; Pg. 783 and that the white or Sylvester-cochineal did indeed exist at the time at Mole St. Nicholas; but I wished to prepare resources against surprise and mistrust, in case of being in the end detected in bringing away the insects. At another time the major of the fleet, who had repeatedly promised to shew me cochineal in the vicinage of Vera Cruz, took me an airing with him along the meadow, and proud of his rare knowlege, pointed out to me on a cactus called by the Spaniards tunas, for the cochineal insect, a sort of caterpillar enveloped in white cotton, which turned out to be merely the worm of the phalena or moth which preys on that precious insect, and from which I had so much difficulty in cleansing my nopals; I positively denied that it was the cochineal, and this mistake of my preceptor led me into a direct error, I mean to say, a persuasion, opposite to the fact, that the insect did not exist in the neighbourhood of Vera Cruz, a wrong persuasion which prevented my pursuing my search for it any further here. The major undoubtedly related to Don Uloa what occurred during our ride; for the next day, while at dinner with that general, he enquired if I had not seen cochineal the day before; I was apprehensive that this question was meant as a snare, and this the rather as I fancied he was observing me as he looked in the glass before which, with his back towards me, he was adjusting part of his dress; and assuredly, if such had been the case, he must have seen my confusion; I endeavoured however, as well as I could to compose my countenance, and answered, that what I had seen was not cochineal but a worm; that worms were without feet, and that the one which had been shewn to me was long and cylindrical, whereas, either the cochineal must have legs and a body of hemispherical figure, or the works of Linne, and of Pedro Gaza and Hernandez, both Spanish naturalists, who had thus described the infect, deserved to be given to the flames. Pg. 786 However much amused by these narratives of the general, I never lost sight of the object I had in view. I frequently visited Don Athenas and Don Lobo, two Spanish merchants; but saw them thus often merely for putting myself in the way of hearing matters relating to my plan. One day while in company with my French engineer, at the house of the latter merchant, I saw him examining certain packages of vanilla. I enquired, as if casually, from what quarter it was obtained, and learnt that it came from Guadalaxara, sixty leagues distant, or from Guaxaca, the distance of which latter place was a hundred leagues from Vera Cruz; also that it was cultivated by the Indians. They next talked about cochineal: I did not, as may well be conceived, begin this subject, but I profited by what I heard. I learnt that the cochineal from Guaxaca was preferable, and yielded a more beautiful colour than that from Flafcala, or Guadalaxara, which made me resolve on choosing Guaxaca for the spot I should repair to. I had moreover two other reasons equally weighty for this decision: the first, the better opportunity I should have of obtaining the most perfect information respecting the cochineal, in a country where it is largely cultivated; the second, the circumstance of this road being less frequented than that leading to Mexico by Flafcala and Guadalaxara, and this circumstance affording me a greater facility in avoiding highwaymen, and inquisitive eyes. It is a certain matter, in fact, that, resolved as I was on the journey, though I should not even obtain my passport, and in spite of all the viceroys in the world, I ran much less risk of discovery on the road to Guaxaca, on which I should not be suspected, than on that of Mexico, the only city worth feeing, that only for which I had fought a passport, and on which I should be fought after on the first notice of my departure. Thus, with a resolution, if I should obtain a passport for Mexico, to use it merely for Guaxaca, the route to which I had adroitly learnt from a Frenchman who had been in the service of the late viceroy, I waited with impatience an answer to the three memoirs which in succession I had addressed to the viceroy of Mexico, to obtain the so much wished for passport, and ceased to frequent the house of Don Uloa, except to enquire respecting it. Pg. 787 At length, on Wednesday, the 30th May, he in a very cool manner before dinner announced, that he had received an answer from Don Bukarelly, in which he plainly signified it was not in his power, as I was a foreigner, to admit of my entering et famoso reyna, except by special order from the court of Spain. This news affected me far more in reality than I chose to shew, and I made a very bad dinner, though without attending to what I did I devoured a great deal. The general did not fail to enquire what I meant to do. I pretended to be satisfied, and to be determined to demand the necessary passports through the court of France, and wait for them at Vera Cruz, or in case of my being sent out of the country, to go myself in search of them; but I had already made up my mind in case of such an event occurring as had happened. As Don Uloa had a quarrel with the governor, I naturally concluded that the latter would have no knowledge of the objection raised by the viceroy, and decided on requesting of him a distinct passport for [Orissava?], which was within his jurisdiction, and about forty leagues from Vera Cruz. By means of this passport, to the licence in which I meant to give the trifling extension of sixty leagues, I hoped to reach Guaxaca, but hardly to itself did my foul unburthen this design, and with much more reason was it then reserved from others. I went in consequence to [Mr. Ferfen?], and, concealing from him the refusal I had experienced, intimated how impatient I was to reach Mexico, what vexation so much tardiness occasioned me, and how happy it would make me if even I merely obtained permission to herborize on the volcanic mountain of [Orissava?]: he stopped me upon this, and proffered, in the handsomest manner, himself to solicit the governor for the favour I fought. I flew into his arms, embraced him in the most: affectionate manner, and that very evening, as a token of my grateful feelings, sent him certain books which he had manifested a desire to possess. I saw him the next day; he had dined with the governor, and obtained the passport. On Saturday he brought it me in good order: I concealed from him in a great degree the transport I felt, left he should recognize the great importance I attached to this paper, and be anxious to search into its motive. The next day (Sunday) I passed in preparations for my journey, and dined with the general, that he might have no suspicion of my project. Monday I was to have hired horses in order to set off the next morning. The morning of this day, this fatal Monday, I rose in raptures of traitorous joy, and gayer than ever before; I repaired to the dwelling of [Mr. Ferfen?] for letters of recommendation to [Orissava?], breakfasted with him, and returned home to complete the packing of my things. Of a sudden I perceived a man in a blue coat with a red cockade, enter my apartment: he was quite out of breath, and looked wild, sinister, and angry; as soon as he was able to speak, he announced himself as the secretary of the governor, and ordered me, in Spanish, in the name of the King, to give up the passport which the governor had entrusted to [Mr. Ferfen?]. These words, which I but too well comprehended, affected me as would have done an electric shock. I alternately became pale and red, and feigned, in order to have time for recollecting myself, that I could not understand what he said; but he so often and so distinctly repeated to me,…that I thought it vain any longer to Pg. 788 turn a deaf ear: then all at once, with another turn of features, and assuming a gay and gracious air, as if I began to comprehend him, I said I was incapable of making any improper use of a kindness I might receive from the governor, and delivered up the papel so much sighed for by me, begging him at the same time to present my respects with my thanks. I wished, as he seemed much fatigued, to induce the secretary to rest himself; but he begged to be excused, assuring me that he had express orders to make no stoppage any where until he had brought back my passport, and not to appear before his matter unless he took it with him. I readily conceived from these words that some alarming storm was bursting over my head; but still, using dissimulation, I asked him, apparently with the utmost indifference, what possibly could be the motives of so sudden a change in the sentiments of the governor? He answered, that the poll that day had brought certain orders from the viceroy concerning me, in virtue of which he verbally notified that I was forbidden, in the King's name, to leave the district of the city of Vera Cruz. I hastened to [Mr. Ferfen?] with such impatience that I almost flew. I saw, I heard nothing, and was unable, but hastily, and in half-ejaculated words, to relate to him my disastrous adventure, conjuring him at the same time to conduct me to the governor, in order to have this matter elucidated. We repaired to the palace, and found there the governor; for his part, perfectly satisfied with recovering his papel, and making no computation beyond, he received me very politely, but at the same time repeated to me the forbiddance before announced by his secretary, of exceeding the limits of the jurisdiction of the city; an injunction, he said, which by order of his superiors, he was bound to communicate. [M. de Ferfen?] … enquired what possibly could have originated so rigid an injunction. In answer, Don Palacio exhibited to us the letter of the viceroy, written after a deliberation of the audiencia real of Mexico, and the consultum of the procurator-general, grounded among other matters on the apprehension of opening to strangers the secrets of the rich culture of the country. Here my heart panted so violently that I no longer heard any thing but the order for my leaving the country, (an order quite the reverse of that I solicited) beginning…On this the governor, who read the whole with much emphasis, laid still greater stress, reading it even thrice over, and shewing me the letter where it was written: in fine, he was expressly enjoined to be himself present at my going on board, to draw up a declaration to that effect, and certify the same to the viceroy. He then, speaking for himself, desired I would inform him when I meant to depart, and what ship I meant to sail in. This I promised; after which he took leave of me, making a thousand excuses and professions, and even going the length of calling me …son; but I was not his dupe. Pg. 789 At length, tired and overcome by the weight of so much affliction, my mind made a last effort for relief; by dint of perpetual repetition, — thou art still at Vera Cruz — the fundamental point of a desperate project presented itself to my ideas; I calculated, that as no appointed time was fixed for my departure, and as there was no ship in the port which would sail for three weeks to come,I might in a fortnight's time complete a stolen journey. Thou absolutely must, said I to myself, penetrate into the interior, though destitute of passport, must bear away the fleece for which thou hast failed, despite of all the dragons in the way. Inflamed by this idea, the very apprehension of being unable to realise it threw me into a cold sweat. But this beam of light dispersed the former gloom, and brought with it a portion of tranquility [sic.]. I now thought of nothing but developing my plan, and digesting its detail. I walked out in the evening to take an airing, and went to the Nieveria, where I treated my engineers. They complimented me on forgetting so soon the vexation to which I had in the morning been subject, I suffered them to remain in their error, and returned home where, without taking any supper, I passed the night in reviewing the plan I had projected in my mind; in retrenching, adding, and changing its minutiae, and in calculating on probabilities and accidents. At length I fell asleep, and, refreshed after three hours, found my spirits less heated, and my head more clear: at day-break, however, I reflected with some surprize that there was no room left for any alteration in the plan projected the night before, a circumstance arising from my peculiar and constrained position…I could find no plan better than the whole I had in mind, and no choice left but either to put it in execution, or return unsuccessful: the latter to me was more dreadful than death itself, and this at once justifted in the eye of reason the evident rashness of the attempt. I rose in the morning rather less content than on the morning before, but sufficiently so to look on the maximum of danger I ringed with a dispassionate eye; I found the worst that could happen to me, in case of arrest, would be to be sent back, tied hand and foot, to Vera Cruz, and there to be imprisoned in the fort, or on board the ship of the general of the port, until my embarkation; in short, merely a failure, that probably might not take place, in my object, which would be the case however at certainly if I did not attempt the journey, Pg. 790 Every thing tended to strengthen me in my last resolves, though I reflected upon many obstacles I should have to encounter. In the first place, nothing less than a miracle, on a road over which so many pike-men were dispersed for the purpose of arresting deserters and strangers, could guard me from being asked by some one or other of them for my passport. In the second place, my dress was not that of a Spaniard, and this inconvenience neither time nor my means allowed of my remedying; this circumstance shewed me a foreigner, and exposed me the more to the looks or curiosity. Thirdly, an appendage to the last noticed predicament, I spoke the Spanish language very indifferently. In the fourth place, I was almost entirely ignorant of the road, and it was only by the merest chance and nicest management I was enabled to learn by what gate I had to leave the town. Finally, it was necessary I should set out on foot, in a climate where I should have much to encounter from the season of the year, and the sands through which I had to travel. I must also go unprovided with linen, provision, change of dress, and books, and without instruments to reap the possible result of my excursion, in encreasing our knowledge of natural history. The plan I framed for remedying these inconveniencies was as follows: I shall travel on foot, said I to myself, as a botanical physician resident at Vera Cruz, in search of simples; I shall assume the appearance of taking a walk rather than being on a journey, shall lodge only in the poorest huts of the Indians, and in places away from the high road, pretending to have lost my way; I shall avoid all towns, hamlets, and villages, where possible, and where not, pass through them by night; I shall declare myself a Catalan from the frontiers of France, which will explain the reason of my speaking French well, and the Spanish but indifferently; I Shall always go neatly dress, wear some trinkets, affect a good-humoured and free disposition, and pay liberally for all I take. With all these precautions I must indeed be unlucky if I should be taken for a foreigner or a deserter. In fine, after some little provision against the most urgent wants, for example, a broad brimmed hat, a net for the hair, a rosary, an indispensable article, &c.; and after setting aside about three hundred gourds in quadruples, I fixed upon the Friday night following for my departure. … It was about nine o'clock when, after carefully locking up all my effects, I departed, as if merely to take a walk. I soon reached the rampart, scaled it, and bade adieu to the city. … Pg. 818 At Galiatitlan it was that, for the first time in my life, I saw the cochineal alive on the nopal by which it is nourished: I even trembled with extasy: the day before, my capuchin, who was very well acquainted with the country, on detailing its riches and cultivation, had mentioned to me cochineal. I merely expressed to him a desire of having some in my possession, that I might the better be enabled to describe it; but when he told me it was likewise to be found at Los Cues, which I had passed through, I was vexed with myself exceedingly, at missing the opportunity I had had of finding it sooner, and at less expence. Still I had nothing wherewith to reproach myself, for how was I to have known there was cochineal at Los Cues? Under apprehension of disclosing my secret, I had imposed on myself a restriction from even mentioning the word cochineal. In this village I met not with a single Indian who understood Spanish; and the only Spaniard I encountered, though he did indeed speak to me of cochineal, by no means even hinted at its being cultivated there; I never thought, therefore, of looking for it at that place, and chance alone could have thrown it in my way. After all, I had no cause to repent my going so far in search of it, as my extra journies afforded me the opportunity of feeing more of it, of speaking of it more largely, of procuring excellent vanilla, and finally, of meeting with more safe means of transporting and preserving all my treasures. To return to my dear cochineal. On arriving at Galiatitlan, I saw a garden full of nopals, and had no doubt I should there find the precious insect I was so desirous to examine. I therefore leapt from my horse, under pretence of altering my stirrup leathers, entered the grounds of the Indian proprietor, began a conversation with him, and enquired to what use he put those plants? He answered, “to cultivate la grana.” I seemed astonished, and begged to see the cochineal; but my surprize was real when he brought it me, for instead of the red insect I expected, there appeared one covered with a white powder. I was tormented with the doubts I entertained, and to resolve them bethought me of crushing one on white paper ; and what was the result? It yielded the truly royal purple hue. Intoxicated with joy and admiration, I hastily left my Indian, throwing him two reals for his pains, and galloped at full speed after my companion, who was waiting for me at a wretched sugar-work, the canes about which, however, were superb. At last, said I to myself, I have seen this insect, have held it in my hands, I shall undoubtedly meet with it again, as I am now in the country where it is cultivated: the Indians assuredly will fell it me; and I thus shall be able to bear off my prize, the object and end of all my ardent wishes! Still certain reflections mixed gall with my delight: I could not hide from myself the difficulty I should have to bring to a safe haven an animal so light, so pliable, so easy to crush; an animal which, once separated from the plant, could never settle on it again: the shocks of the horse, a journey of a hundred leagues by land, could I hope with these to preserve it? and the enormous plants on which I law the insect, was it possible for me to transport them? how was I to hide them? and what a case must it not require to contain a tree eight feet high, by a diameter of five or six. These mournful ideas occasioned me a deep revery, which not all the gaiety of the capuchin could disperse. I excused myself, by pretending fatigue, and the vexation I endured from my horse, the worst, in real truth, I had hitherto crossed. Pg. 824 After leaving the corregidor, I obtained a direction to a trunk maker's. My plan required I should be furnished with cases or coffers easy of transport. The tradesman to whom I was directed shewed me some of all sizes. I chose eight two feet long by fourteen inches broad, and of similar depth. They were of a white and very light wood, dove-tailed, even bound at the corners, and with locks; they were moreover so solid and so well made, that better could not have been produced in any workshop in Paris. The price also was reasonable. They cost me seventeen reals the pair, or about four shillings each… I now perceived that I should never have been able at Los Cues to have met with the same resources as at Guaxaca; there indeed I might have obtained cochineal, but this was not sufficient, the means of transporting it were alike necessary. I was consequently very well satisfied with my bargain: I merely conditioned, over and above the purchase, to have partition made in each of the boxes, and I brought away with me the keys. Delighted at having thus assured in a degree success to my undertaking, astonished at finding myself so far advanced, and at having so readily overcome all the difficulties I had to fight against, I was scarcely able to bear my weight of joy, and imagined myself in a dream from which I dreaded to awake, but which every instant I found would be the case; the greater the facility I had hitherto met with, the more was I apprehensive of the obstacles which I painted to myself would attend the future. This mixture of satisfaction and inquietude occasioned an oppression on my mind, a melancholy which I was utterly unable to shake off. Pg. 826 The plan I had arranged, to purchase some nopals and cochineal on the succeeding day, occasioned me to wake very early in the morning: I was up therefore by three o'clock, and taking with me two Indian servants belonging to the inn, each with a large basket and towels, I repaired to the plantation of nopals I had seen the day before. I left the servants at the gate on entering, and myself took charge of their baskets. The negro owner was scarcely awake. He came towards me with a simple, modest, and civil air, quite different from what is usual among people of his stamp in the kingdom of Mexico. I informed him that being a physician, I wanted, for the purpose of making an ointment for the gout, a few leaves of the nopal, with the cochineal upon them, which I begged him to sell me, as the case was urgent; telling him I was willing to pay them whatever he might require: he permitted me to take as much as I pleased. I did not require twice bidding, nu immediately selected eight of the handsomest branches, each two feet long, and consisting of seven or eight leaves in length but so perfectly covered with cochineals, as to be quite white with them. I cut them off myself, placed them in the best possible manner in the boxes, and covered them with the towels. I then enquired what they were worth. He protested they were well worth two reals: I readily believed him: I, who would not have held them dear at as many quadruples; but, that I might not render him aware of how good a bargain I reckoned upon having made, I merely gave him a dollar, telling him I had no change, and begging him to keep the remainder to drink my health with. The good old negro Pg. 827 rubbed his eyes, fancying himself still asleep; and while he overwhelmed me with gratitude, I called in my Indians, loaded them with the two baskets, and made off with the rapidity of lightning. My heart beat in a manner that beggars description: it seemed to me as if I was bearing away the golden fleece, but, at the same time, as if the furious dragon, placed over it as a guard, was following close at my heels; all the way along I kept humming the famous line, At length I have it in my power, and should willingly have sung it aloud, but for fear of being overheard. I arrived at my inn out of breath, and slipped in unperceived, and without having met with a single person in the streets. The dawn was opening, but nobody yet had risen in the house. I shut myself up in my room, and then packed my dear nopals, with inexpressible satisfaction, and in the tenderest manner imaginable, in two of my small boxes, taking the precaution to lay them two at top, and two at bottom, separating them by the partition, and flicks of a dry and pliant wood. Thus, by five in the morning, I found myself in possession of a fine cargo of cochineal, which not a soul had either seen me purchase or pack. The negro who sold it me was a simple, good kind of man, and the Indians, whom I liberally rewarded, enjoining them at the same time to secrecy, with respect to where they had been with me in the morning, were themselves ignorant of what the precious load they carried. Pg. 830 Day-light had not yet beamed on Guaxaca, when I set off. On account of my train I found the streets exceedingly long, for I was anxious to avoid examination, and the excitement of curiosity; at length by day break I gained the open country. … On the road I met with a doctor, who, conversing on the objects of culture, informed me, that nopals had been transported into Castille, for the purpose of attempting the naturalization of the cochineal, but that the project failed, from which he drew the very wise conclusion, that it was impossible the culture of it should succeed any where but in the kingdom of Mexico. This anecdote, whether fabulous or true, was calculated notwithstanding, to give me at the time some uneasiness; but now, while writing this, that I am well assured of the fallacy of the assumption, I cannot but smile at the folly of those people who make deductions, which they generalize from circumstances true only in particular cases. By then I entered Sant Juan del Re, it was eleven o'clock. I was in hopes of purchasing here some cochineal, but the black alcalde not being at home, I determined to wait till his wife returned: she came in a little time, and I immediately asked her for four branches from her nopals; and without giving leisure for reflection, shewed her a dollar, which persuaded better than words: I at the same time enquired of her respecting a variety of matters, which I had either omitted to obtain information upon before, or which I thought might need comparison with what I had learnt at Guaxaca, though chiefly respecting the mixture of the sylvestre or wood cochineal, with the black or fine. She illustrated the different points I questioned her upon, and to my satisfaction; and permitted me to select four branches from the nopals, which I placed in a fifth box. Pg. 836 … I then entered another, in which were many young plants that had taken root, and were loaded with fine cochineal. I was very solicitous of procuring some of these, but the owner was at mass. In a third I met with some women, who consented to sell me eight branches richly loaded for ten reals: this was rather dear, especially when compared with what my good negro of Guaxaca had asked me; but on my expressing such to be my opinion, they remarked to me, that there was upon them at lead twelve ounces of cochineal, and, on the other hand, these were what I wanted. I saw in addition, the plantation of a poor cultivator who was drying the feeds of the cactus, with which to make bread: the garden had not been planted more than fifteen months, and from him for six reals I bought as many small rooted plants. He was willing even to have spared me a greater number, and at this rate even would gladly have parted with his whole garden; but I was now most amply supplied, and had great difficulty to stow my last purchase. … At San Sebastiano I … immediately set off again with excellent horses: the one I rode, however, was difficult to manage, and had no bridle, a circumstance to which I failed to pay attention on setting off, or till I had left the village: every thing, however, went on well until I reached Santo Antonio: thrice had I alighted to collect seeds from plants, and thrice had I again quietly mounted; but the fourth time, the restive beast rising on its hind legs, struck at me on the stomach with the fore ones, and with such force as to fell me to the ground; not content, he spurned again his hind legs at me, and gallopped away at full speed. For an instant I thought all was over with me, and far as the little power of reflection allowed, which remained with me, I was anxious only for my dear cochineal. I dreaded left it would yet remain buried in Mexico, and be for ever lost to my country: the thought went near to kill me ; however, resuming, after a few instants, the faculty of breathing, and my stomach by degrees recovering its tone, I gathered that I did not immediately need extreme unction. Collecting strength, I rose, though with great difficulty, and drew as a conclusion from the incident, that a botanist should travel on foot. Pg. 837 I was anxious to pass round Tecuacan, as I had done on my way coming; but with all my baggage this was not practicable … it was necessary therefore I should travel through it… customs officer, mounted on an excellent horse, his saddle bow beset, both in front and behind, with pistols. This redoubted champion advancing, summoned me, in the King's name, to return to the customs house. I answered to him, in a tone of voice which denoted vexation, that I certainly should pay all the respect due to the King's orders; but that if he had had the least notion of civility, he would not have suffered me to have rode through the whole of the town merely for the pleasure of making me return. However high the tone I assumed, my heart was chilled with fear; the word customs house turned my brain, and I gave up all for lost. I shall have, said I, to open all my cases, my pilferings will all be exposed; there may be laws which prohibit the transport of cochineal on nopals; nay, this ought necessarily to form a part of the policy and ordonnances of this people, one so anxious to maintain the exclusive possession of this commerce. Should this be the case, adieu to all my treasures, all will be ravished from me, and confiscated: what grief for me! what shame! cursed rencounter! unlucky travels! I was in a dreadful state, though it must be allowed, that at times danger affords resources which are gathered merely from its presence. On reaching the customs house, I instantly determined on my plan: composing my countenance, therefore, I entered with an easy air, and expressed much discontent at the trouble which had thus unnecessarily been occasioned me. I found two Spaniards in the office, one of whom, the director, lessened my colour by the affable and prepossessing manner in which he received me. I told him that I was a botanist, that I had been employed in collecting medicinal plants throughout the whole province, with which my trunks were full, and that I had with me nothing else. I added, moreover, that I begged they would satisfy themselves on this head, and proceed through the examination as speedily as possible, as I was solicitous of reaching Vera Cruz for the purpose of going on ship board. The director said that this was enough, and entered into the most friendly conversation with me; however I notwithstanding caused my boxes to be opened, although against his inclination, for the purpose of Satisfying him, and out of bravado towards his deputy, who appeared to be inquisitive and suspicious. On looking over the cases, in which, among a variety of herbs and roots, with which he was altogether unacquainted, was the vanilla which was equally unknown to him; he shrugged up his shoulders, and smiled. I opened others which contained cochineal, covered and mingled with other plants … this is cochineal, said he, apparently with surprize, but at the same time, with an air of indifference which argued nothing displeasing. In my notice of his observation, I seemed equally indifferent. He afterwards noticed the double bottoms, and fancied for an instant he had caught his bird, signifying as much by a glance, which at the same time seemed to hint that he could shut his eyes occasionally to what he could not see without injuring; but, rendered bold by the assurance I had acquired, that no objection would be taken to my cochineal, Pg. 838 I raised the bottoms, partitions, and the pieces of wood, which separated the plants, when my nopals were distinguished among other plants, carefully folded in fine white paper. What are these nopals for, this cochineal? For an unguent. For what malady? The gout. Ah ah! do but see, exclaimed he then laughed heartily as he pointed out among my cohesion the nuts of the most common fruits of the country, and seeds even of its most despised herbs. Pg. 843 On this occasion it was that I perceived a species of moth, which having made itself a kind of nest of their cottony down, committed a dreadful ravage among my insects. I was shocked at the loss I had sustained, and halted to cleanse my nopals from these murderers, an operation which cost me upwards of an hour. Pg. 848 We arrived at Vera Cruz … I ran through the town thither, and reached it at the instant of their making their approach. The guards wished to fend me to the customs house, which did not open before eight o'clock: I instantly felt all the inconvenience consequent on traversing the city, and exposing my prize to the looks of every one, and shuddered at the thought: I therefore saw no better expedient of disembarrassing myself than tickling the natural vanity of the Spaniards. What, said I to the chief clerk, do you then so soon forget the French physician? and is it possible you could wish to make him kick his heels in attendance like a footman, for the space of four hours? Besides, are you such novices? Cannot you yourselves make the requisite examination? You cannot be such geese but know your business, and how to act without advice. Do but look, what I bring is nothing but herbs, nothing but botanical collections; and as I spoke, I opened my boxes. They were not disposed to take the trouble of examining more than two, and the only things to which my good folks took exception were the sticks which supported my nopals: they fancied these must needs be some precious wood, and enquired its name of me. I found it no difficult matter to invent one, and I obtained my dismission… Pass in God's name, was all they said, I did not require twice bidding, but soon reached my own home. … I had now attained my wishes, and my satisfaction was extreme; my expedition was complete, and in the short space of twenty days, the half of one of which had been uselessly spent. I had also stopped two days at Guaxaca; so that I had travelled in sixteen days I had journeyed two hundred and forty leagues, of which forty on foot, over roads so bad as often to be almost impassable, under a burning fun, in a wretched country, without resources, and among people of whose language I was ignorant; in a country, in short, where I was destitute of a protector, or any connections, and where every public officer from his station ought to be inimical to me; to have effected, under such circumstances, so long and tiresome a journey, without illness, and without accident, was a matter so extraordinary, so lucky, that I scarcely was able to persuade myself of its reality. … Pg. 849 I was moreover anxiously disquieted about the means of fixing my plants on board ship in such manner that they might be least liable to harm; however, after forming one general plan, I afterwards made a point to dismiss the care of particulars till time should require their adoption. Pg. 850 … I wished to find out a carpenter, to order different cases for my plants, and concert with him on the best mode of constructing them with security to bear the rolling of the ship. Having planned all this, I ordered sixteen boxes of twenty inches long, ten broad, and six deep, for each of which I was to give him two reals… I saw in a carrier's shop, two large trunks, which served him for locking up his goods at night; these I purchased for eight dollars a-piece… made of good ash plank, well bound with iron, and with good locks. Pg. 851 While this was passing, my small cafes were in hand: when completed, I found that eight of them readily entered, but exactly filled each of my large chests. I afterwards planted in each case four large plants of the nopal, covered with living cochineal, besides twenty leaves or articulations of nopal, just taking root, which would form so many plants, without reckoning sixteen large ones, part of which had begun to root; in all nearly three hundred plants; with these I mingled a number of other plants of wild cactus, from Vera Cruz j upon which, on my return from Guaxaca, I had seen and recognized the sylvester cochineal, without suffering myself to be deceived, as I had been before by the caterpillar of the destructive moth, which Don Uloa mistook for the cochineal insect itself. As for the plants of vanilla, I placed them, divided into pieces two or three feet long, in a dozen casks and cases, but so intermingled with twenty other kinds of plants, that none but a botanist could have distinguished the valuable ones from those which were not. I watered all my plants to complete saturation, in order that they might want no water for some time to come on board, and all being ready, I waited only the instant for failing, the moments to which period were as tedious to me… Pg. 853 At last, Wednesday arrived, the day on which I had to embark. I was not without some dread, and, in real truth, this appeared to me the decisive day. At day-break I caused all my cafes of plants, as well as all my empty boxes…to be carried from my lodgings, and every thing before six had reached the gate of the quay. I computed that at this hour the idle would be yet asleep, that the soldiers and officers, tired with the night-guard, would be at rest in their hammocks, and that all unoccupied and inquisitive at the market: my conjectures were well founded, for if a few sailors be excepted, three or four officers, and the guard, I met with very few in the streets. I reached the port, followed by thirty porters, hired a boat, and returning to the quay, caused my cases, filled with earth, to be placed on the ground before the searchers: thus far, all went on very well; but in a few minutes, soldiers, sailors, and trades-people all rushed forwards to see the plants which the French Pg. 854 botanist: was bearing away. The officer of the guard complimented me on my researches and collection of herbs; the searchers admired them in stupid astonishment, but at the same time were so civil as not to found any of the cases, though they might have done so without injuring any of my plants; and the head of the office, satisfied with my readiness to suffer examination, told me I might pass on. It is a certain matter, that I had it in my power to defraud the King of his dues, and might have carried away in gold to the amount of a million, or a dozen talegas; but I was so well known, that no one suspected my being capable of such baseness. I, however, made haste to get away with my things, left some one more enlightened should play me, either unintentionally or from design, some scurvy trick or other. The whole of my goods being now in the boat, it put off, and I followed it, when I placed the cases in the chests, which I locked, and caused to be securely fastened on the deck. I recommended the sailors to be careful of them, and, as an entrance fee on coming on board, presented them with a couple of gourds, which, for the purpose, I borrowed of the captain. Pg. 855 In the morning, I had a very interesting conversation with the captain of the ship, with whom it was now plain I should have every reason to be satisfied. As observing me giving air to my plants, I have found you out, said he to me in at low tone of voice; you most assuredly are not about to transport this cochineal to your own country, but with a view of naturalizing it there? The liberality he had shewn towards me, the frank manner of his accost, determined me on confessing to him that which it was now of no service to deny; nor had I any room to repent my confidence, but, on the contrary, by his assistance, perfectly cajoled the sailors, who, as well as the captain, stood near me, and one of whom, more cunning than the rest, had taken one of the insects, and crushed it on a white deal board, and observing the purple hue it gave, cried out to his fellows, why, this is cochineal, and cochineal is contraband. To divert them from the idea they might else entertain on this subject, the captain and myself planned a short scene, which played off seriously before them, estranged their fancies a hundred leagues from the track they were taking. One afternoon, the captain being on deck, with his officers and most of the seamen, asked me in a grave and inquisitive manner, what I meant to do with all those plants? They are, said I, in as candid and easy a manner as I was capable of assuming, they are intended for a preparation, a remedy. A remedy? for what complaint? For the gout? Indeed, and pray what is the process of making it? Why, this; the nopals, cochineal, vanilla and jalap are pounded together in a silver mortar; the mixture is afterwards boiled; the expressed juice, in proportion of an ounce at a time, is administered to the patient internally, and of the mark a cataplasm is formed which is applied to the feet. And are there no other ingredients in the prescription? At this I seemed loth to tell the whole secret; I, however, acknowledged that the balm of Mecca was a component, incense, gold dust, leaf silver, (and, in a half whisper, but loud enough to be heard without difficulty) some blessed lint which had touched the relics of Santo Torribio; this, with a few Latin words I intermingled in my answers, rendered my receipt exceedingly respectable in the minds of my auditors. Never indeed was nonsense listened to with more attention, and the bamboozled sailors as well were convinced of the purity of my intentions, as of the efficaciousness of the prescription. I sighed, however, as much as I laughed at this ridiculous imposition; but it was indispensable [sic.], that I might parry the denunciations which might have been made against me otherwise at Campeachy, by some one or other of the crew. … 10th June. … Three leaves of my large nopals, loaded with cochineal, rotted, (a first cause of anguish); but I Pg. 856 was somewhat consoled by having succeeded in fettling the new-born cochineals upon other nopal leaves in a very healthy dare. Pg. 857 …The young cochineals did not succeed in fastening on the cactus sylevstris of Vera Cruz, called tunas. Ten other of my opuntiae had become rotten. Irremediable loss! Pg. 858 For my part, the delay. to which he subjected us, and the additional losses I every day sustained among my nopals, not less than forty of which I was obliged to throw into the sea, were sources to me of extreme vexation. Pg. 861 16th July. … the dread I had left any injury should befall my insects and plants during my absence, prevented my indulging myself with this gratification this was another sacrifice I had to add to the number I had already made on their account. I had, however, on the other hand, the satisfaction of already being in some degree compensated: my vanilla threw out some branches, my jalap and my nopals were budding: I had indeed lost a great many, but the residue were in good condition, and I had well-founded hopes of the most complete success. Pg. 865 27th July. … My cochineals brought forth now a second time, and I had no more plants on which I could multiply them. One young leaf of a nopal, and one old one had just die ; one half of another had been consumed by a blatta lucifera, and I saw that I ran great hazard of losing the new generation … Pg. 866 On visiting my nopals I found three leaves dead: I cleaned all the others, and dusted them to remove the white powder with which they had become covered. I likewise exterminated all the sylvester cochineals, which had intermingled with the fine, and which had smothered a considerable number. Finding myself overstocked with those cacti of Vera Cruz, frightfully armed with thorns, I threw thirteen of them into the sea; after which I dried the sylvester cochineals I had collected, in order to send them to my father…While thus cleansing my chests, or rather my gardens, I discovered three chacherlas and a scolopendra morsitans; fortunately these insects are no devourers of cochineal, or otherwise adieu to my treasures. The employ I undertook was for some time an amusement to me, though fatiguing. Pg. 867 5th August…. I brought thence, likewise, a number of leaves of a cactus, called in our colonies, la raquette Edpagno'e, and the value of which I intended to prove by my cochineals. Again had 1 the misfortune to see three leaves of my nopals rot: what losses ! what regret at not having reached Santo Domingo! Pg. 869 15th August. … Four more of my nopals I found this day had perished, one of them with three young leaves, and an ample progeny of young cochineal. What on this, as on similar occasions, surprised me greatly, my misfortunes proceeded constantly from the plants too weak to resist the injuries of the sea air and their confinement, and not from the insects, as I the most expected, but which proved to be extremely patient, and astonishingly hardy: not one of them died; I had therefore considerable reason for self-gratulation, on having collected three other species of cacti at Campeachy, all of which afforded nourishment to the cochineal, though more sparingly and with less advantage than the nopal. Pg. 871 This day I had to regret the loss of other nopals; and I felt it the more bitterly from the circumstance of the impossibility of fixing the insects attached to the dead plants… I was perfectly in despair, and almost gave up the hope of being able to transport my little colony in health and safety to Santo Domingo, the cause of which I could only attribute to the length of our voyage and the want of friends, which had prevented my making more favourable arrangements. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Travels to Guaxaca Subject The topic of the resource Piracy Description An account of the resource An account of Nicolas Joseph Thiery de Menonville unsuccessful attempt to smuggle the live cochineal out of Mexico. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Pinkerton, John. A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in all Parts of the World [...] (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1812): 753-876. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Public Domain, Google Digitized, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t4sj1hn8h;view=1up;seq=763;size=50 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1812 Type The nature or genre of the resource Travel Guide