Biography of F, A, Mlchaux. 165 



After sundry explorations along tlie coast, be established a 

 botanical garden at Tametave, in Avhich be planted all the trees 

 and plants wbicb migbt be objects of usefulness or curiosity. 

 The climate, nnfortunately, was exceedingly unhealthy, and 

 trusting too much to his good constitution, and habits of expo- 

 sure, he neglected the proper precautions, was taken sick with 

 fever, and died at the end of December, 1803. 



Francois Andre Michaux, on his own account had not re- 

 mained inactive. Aroused by the example of his father, and 

 now fully arrived at manhood, he could not look back to the 

 unfinished work of his father in the United States, without be- 

 coming alive with the most ardent desire to achieve the object 

 which the}^ both had in view. Conversant with several States 

 of the Union, confident in his own experience and abilities fur- 

 ther to serve his country, he was, on his side, earnestly soliciting 

 a commission to the United States. 



This opportunity was at last afforded him through the cele- 

 brated De Chaptal, then Minister of the Interior^ who feelin 

 dissatisfied w^ith the result of the nurseries of New Jersev an 

 Charleston, since the departure of the elder Micbaux, and think- 

 ing more benefit would accrue from the appointment of native 

 correspondents in the principal seaports of the Union, consulted 

 Francois A, Michaux in the matter, and appointed him to effect 

 those objects. He gave him instructions, at the same time, to 

 sell the properties, when he should have forwarded home all the 

 trees and shrubs remaining: in the two French nurseries above 



mentioned. 



Michaux, highly gratified, set out immediately for Bordeaux, 

 at which port he embarked for Charleston, with the same cap- 

 tain, and on the same vessel that had brought him home thence, 

 some ten years previous. After a short and pleasant passage, 

 he landed at his place of destination, on the 9th of October, 

 1801. He occupied himself almost immediately, and during the 

 following winter, in sending to France the trees and shrubs of 

 the nursery, and this part of his instructions being fulfilled, he 

 embarked for New York on the same errand. 



As soon as the season became favorable, he began his herbori- 

 zations in New Jersey, and along the banks of North River. In 

 these explorations, he discovered several ^ new species of Ouka 

 and Hickories, the acorns and nuts of which he sent to France 

 in abundance. He had also the opportunit}^ of determining with 

 more accuracy, the botanical characters of the Black Oak {Qner- 

 cus tindoria,) one of the largest trees of the American forests, 

 and, also, one of the most valuable for the good qualitj' of its 

 wood, as well as for its dyeing properties. 



He next visited Philadelphia, where he had the pleasure of 

 becoming acquainted with some of her most celebrated men, 





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