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Biography of F, A. Michaux, 169 



to southwest, he made five explorations into the interior of the 

 country: — The first, along the rivers Kennebeck and Sandy; tlie 

 second, from Boston to Lake Champlain, crossing the States of 

 New Hampshire and Vermont; the third, from New York to 

 lakes Ontario and Erie ; the fourtli, from Philadelphia to the 

 rivers Monongabela, Alleghany and Ohio; the fifth, from 

 ^arleston to the sources of the Savannah and Oconee rivers. 

 In travelhng along the sea-coast, he visited the principal dock- 

 yards, with the view to examine the timber employed in ship- 

 building; he also entered in all the work-shops where wood was 

 worked into forms. As the knowledge of which he was in need 

 was prioicipally in the possession of artizans, he accordingly 

 consulted the most skillful workmen, and by means of a series 

 of questions, previously prepared, he collected a mass of valua- 

 ble information. 



In his different journeys to the interior, he paid particular at 

 tention to the trees that formed the bulk of the forests, with ref- 

 erence to the nature and uses of their woods, or as objects of 

 commerce between the different states, or of exportation abroad. 

 He ascertained the sources of the different barks employed in 

 tanning, inquired into the quality and price of the various woods 

 used for fuel, and formed a complete collection of polished sp^cir 

 mens of the species employed in cabinet work or otherwise.J la 

 a word, the range of his observations was unlimited, and they 

 could not fail to interest exceedingly the people of the United 

 States, as well as Europeans, and to become one of the main 

 points of the splendid work which he published, almost immedi- 

 ately after his return. 



Michaux remained nearly three years in the United States, 

 diligently employed in his arduous task. During his residence, 

 he formed many valuable acquaintances. Besides the late Muhl- 

 enberg, Hamilton, Barton, Hosack, Alex. Wilson, Eddy, &c., he 

 was on terms of friendship with others still living, among whom 

 I may mention I)r. John Francis of New York and Major Le- 

 Conte. I^Iichaux was elected a Member of the American Philo- 



Society on the 2 1st of April, 1^09; and we have a 

 proof of the value in which he held this honor, by the hand- 

 some provision made in favor of this institution, in his testament, 



bearing date of May 80th, 1852. 



I should fail in my duty towards one, who was the companion 

 and helpmate o^ the two Michaux, if I omitted here to mention 

 his name. This is the humble Paul Saulnier, the same journey- 

 man gardener who, in 1785, had accompanied them to this coun- 

 try, and was intrusted with the care of the New Jersey nursery. 

 Frangois Michaux never spoke of him but with feelings of re- 

 spect and affection. 



SECOND SERIKS, VOL. XXIV, NO, 71. SEFT,, 1857. 



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