BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. XSI 
country.—The first, along the rivers Kennebeck and Sandy; the second, from Boston to lake Cham- 
plain, crossing the States of New Hampshire and Vermont; the third, from New York to lakes Ontario 
and Erie; the fourth, from Philadelphia to the rivers Monongahela, Allegheny and Chio; the fifth, from 
Charleston to the sources of the Savannah and Oconee rivers. In travelling 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, principally, in the possession of artisans, he, accordingly, consulted the most skilful 
workmen, and by means of a series of questions, previously prepared, he collected a mass of valuable 
information. 
In his different journeys into the interior, he paid a particular attention to the trees that formed the ~ 
bulk of the forests, with reference 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 specimens of the species employed in cabinet work or other- 
wise. Ina word, the range of his observations was unlimited, and could not fail to interest exceed- 
ingly 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 immediately, 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 Muhlenberg, Hamil- 
ton, Barton, Hosack, Alex. Wilson, Eddy, &c., he was on terms of friendship with others still living, among 
whom I may mention Dr. John Francis of New York and Major Leconte. Michaux was elected a 
Member of the American Philosophical Society on the 21st of April, 1809; and we have a proof of the 
value in which he held this honour, by the handsome provision made in favour of this institution, in 
his testament, bearing date of May 30th, 1852. 
I should fail in my duty towards one, who was the companion and helpmate of the two Michaux, if 
I omitted here to mention his name. ‘Thisis the humble Paul Saulnier, the same journeyman gardener 
who, in 1785, had accompanied them to this country, and was intrusted with the care of the New 
Jersey nursery. Francois Michaux never spcke of him but with feelings of respect and affection. 
“Originally of France,” says Dr. Francis in his eloquent discourse on the Natural Sciences, “his 
early life was absorbed in practical horticulture, as an experimenter in vegetable physiology, and as 
one of the subordinates of the Jardin des Plantes. Here, he had instilled into him the principles of 
ordines naturales, by their author, de Jussieu. Shortly after, he was selected for his botanical attain- 
ments, to accompany the elder Michaux to this country. He proved serviceable as a collector. By 
royal means, Louis XVI., by whose patronage Michaux was authorized to procure American produc- 
tions, a plot of ground in New Jersey was appropriated as a suitable garden for rearing and preserving 
plants and trees, mainly designed for the institutions of France. 
In this sequestered place, Paul, with the exception of occasional excursions to New York and to parts 
adjacent, passed the remainder of his days. Here he was visited by the younger Michaux, Pursh, 
Douglas, Bradbury and other foreign naturalists who reached our shores. Poor Wilson, the Ornitho- 
logist, often found shelter within his humble dwelling from the lowering sky and tempestuous storms, 
and often I have heard Michaux enlarge on the refreshing enjoyment of Paul’s hospitality. Paul was 
a sort of Sir Oracle with them; and his responses were heeded by all who sought practical knowledge 
in natural history. Paul, I believe, may be estimated the first, as to time, who without much preten- 
sion, inculcated among us the classification of Jussieu, and the arboriculturist may perhaps be now, for 
the first time, informed that to him are we to assign the introduction into this country of the Lombar- 
dy poplar. Paul holds a place in the progress of botanical pursuits not unlike that enjoyed so long by 
