1737.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 89 



course of thy travels, it is not worth thy while to go out of thy 

 way on purpose to see them. I would have thee go, if thee can, 

 to see Robert Gover, to see the place where some surprisingly 

 fashioned angular stones are found. As to the rest, take them as 

 it suits thee. But in Virginia, there is Colonel Custis, and Colonel 

 Byrd, are both curious men. Pray take down what I have re- 

 marked for thee to inquire after, the Umbrella Trees at the first, 

 and the Ginseng at the last. 



Then when thee proceeds home, I know no person will make 

 thee more welcome than Isham Randolph. He lives thirty or 

 forty miles above the falls of James River, in Goochland, above 

 the other settlements. Now, I take his house to be a very suitable 

 place to make a settlement at, for to take several days' excursions 

 all round, and to return to his house at night. * * * * One 

 thing I must desire of thee, and do insist that thee oblige me 

 therein : that thou make up that drugget clothes, to go to Virginia 

 in, and not appear to disgrace thyself or me ; for though I should 

 not esteem thee the less, to come to me in what dress thou will, 

 yet these Virginians are a very gentle, well-dressed people and 

 look, perhaps, more at a man's outside than his inside. For these 

 and other reasons, pray go very clean, neat, and handsomely 

 dressed, to Virginia. Never mind thy clothes : I will send more 

 another year. 



I a little wonder, that the eastern sea-shore, nor the island, 

 afforded no shells. That there was none, I am persuaded ; for, 

 had they been there, they would not have escaped thee. Pray ob- 

 serve if there are no land or river shells, different from what thee 

 has sent me. I want a fair specimen of your oysters ; an upper 

 and an under shell, both belonging to one another, will be accept- 

 able ; but no more. Sassafras berries, the cones of the Swamp 

 Rose-bay, or Laurel, are much wanted, and acorns of Willow-leaved 

 Oak. Thy last cargo is a fine collection, and came in fine order. 

 Tulip Poplar and Sweet Gum are not wanting. I thank thee for 

 the Sweet Gum ; but I want some of the Black Gum. Pig-nuts 

 will be acceptable : they are a very small species of hickory. Send 

 more acorns ; and cones oi; seeds of all the evergreen tribe will be 

 acceptable ; and some more Allspice or Benjamin, and any other 

 forest trees. ***** 



I sent thee a case of boxes, which are very hard, and will save 

 the trouble of making. Thee may cut down the rims, and accommo- 



