11 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
however, he soon relinquished to serve an apprenticeship 
to a respectable merchant of Philadelphia, and at the age 
of 22 he went to Wilmington, N. C., with the view of 
entering into the mercantile business, but being ardently 
attached to the study of botany, he left that place in about 
four years, and accompanied his father on a journey into 
East Florida, to explore the natural production of that 
country; and it was during this period he discovered the 
Franklinia, a beautiful tree, so called in honour of Dr. 
Franklin. After this he settled on the River St. Johns, 
in the same territory, and commenced the cultivation of 
indigo, but soon abandoned it in consequence of bad health, 
and returned in the year 1771 to his father’s residence. 
The information acquired by his travels and researches 
now began tb bring him to the notice of the eminent and 
learned men of both America and England, and at the so- 
licitations and expense of Dr. Fothergill, of London, he 
made excursions to the Floridas and the western parts of 
Carolina and Georgia, in search of rare and useful produc- 
tions of nature, but chiefly of the vegetable kingdom, to 
which gentleman he sent his collection of plants, dried 
specimens, and drawings. 
From a diary kept by him during these travels he was 
enabled to furnish the world with a large volume of the 
most interesting and useful information, chiefly relating to 
the comparatively unexplored parts of those inhospitable 
regions, through which, at that early period, the traveller 
(1) I arrived at St. Ille’s in the evening, where I lodged; and next 
morning, having crossed over in a ferry-boat, set forward for St. Mary’s. 
The situation of the territory, its soil and productions, between these 
two last rivers, are nearly similar to those which I had passed over, 
exept that the savannahs are more frequent and extensive. 
It may be proper to observe, that I had now passed the utmost fron- 
tier of the white settlements on that border. It was drawing on to- 
wards the close of day, the skies serene and calm, the air temperate- 
ly cool, and gentle zephyrs breathing through the fragrant pine; the 
prospect around enchantingly varied and beautiful; endless green 
savannahs, chequered with coppices of fragrant shrubs, filled the air 
with the richest perfume. The gaily attired plants which enamelled 
the green had begun to imbibe the pearly dew of evening; nature 
seemed silent, and nothing appeared to ruffle the happy moments 
of evening contemplation; when, on a sudden, an Indian appeared 
crossing the path, at a considerable distance before me. On per- 
ceiving that he was armed with a rifle, the first sight of him 
startled me, and I endeavoured to elude his sight, by stopping my 
pace, and keeping large trees between us; but he espied me, and 
turning short about, set spurs to his horse, and came up on full 
gallop. I never before this was afraid at the sight of an Indian, 
but at this time, I must own that my spirits were much agitated: 
I saw at once, that being unarmed, I was in his power; and hav- 
ing now but a few moments to prepare, I resigned myself entirely 
to the will of the Almighty, trusting to his mercies for my pre- 
servation: my mind then became tranquil, and I resolved to meet 
the dreaded foe with resolution and cheerful confidence. The in- 
seldom bent his way merely for the love of science and 
the studies of nature. 
This work was published in three countries about the 
year 1791 to 1793, viz: in Germany, Ireland, (Dublin,) and 
the United States, in an octavo form ofupvvardsof 500 pages. 
Mr. Bartram set sail on his intended journey from Phi- 
ladelphia in April, 1773, in the brig Charleston Packet, 
for Charleston, where he arrived after a very tedious and 
stormy passage of eleven days from the Capes; here he re- 
mained a few days, and gained the friendship of many of 
the most wealthy and respectable families, when he de- 
parted for Savannah on his intended expedition. 
At this period Georgia and the Floridas were inhabited, 
and, indeed, overrun with different tribes of Indians; 
many of whom were exceedingly hostile to the whites — 
from this circumstance, as well as the nature of the coun- 
try, the miserable roads, and other difficulties in travelling, 
it became extremely unpleasant, and, at times, hazardous 
for Mr. Bartram to prosecute bis journey; but his expe- 
rience had prepared him for hardships, and, being of a 
humane and amiable disposition, he went forward in the 
confidence that others felt toward him, as he felt toward 
all mankind — while these benevolent feelings were fre- 
quently manifested in his countenance and demeanour, 
and on several occasions worked safety for him when ex- 
treme danger was at hand.(l) 
In all his travels, Mr. Bartram singularly adhered to the 
trepid Siminole stopped suddenly, three or four yards before me, 
and silently viewed me, his countenance angry and fierce, shifting 
his rifle from shoulder to shoulder, and looking about instantly on 
all sides. 1 advanced towards him, and with an air of confidence 
offered him my hand, hailing him, brother; at this he hastily jerked 
back his arm, with a look of malice, rage, and disdain, seeming every 
way discontented; when again looking at me more attentively, he in- 
stantly spurred up to me, and with dignity in his look and action, 
gave me his hand. Possibly the silent language of his soul, during 
the moment of suspense, (for I believe his design was to kill me 
when he first came up,) was after this manner: “White man, thou 
art my enemy, and thou and thy brethren may have killed mine; yet 
it may not be so, and even were that the case, thou art now alone, 
and in my power. Live; the great Spirit forbids me to touch thy life; 
go to thy brethren, tell them thou sawest an Indian in the forests, 
who knew how to be humane and compassionate.” In fine, we shook 
hands, and parted in a friendly manner, in the midst of a dreary wil- 
derness; and he informed me of the course and distance to the trad- 
ing-house, where I found he had been extremely ill treated the day 
before. 
I now sat forward again, and after eight or ten miles riding, arrived 
at the banks of St. Mary’s, opposite the stores, and got safe over be- 
fore dark. The river is here about one hundred yards across, has 
ten feet water, and, following its course, about sixty miles to the sea, 
though but about twenty miles by land. The trading company here 
received and treated me with great civility. On relating my adven- 
tures on the road, particularly the last with the Indian, the chief re- 
