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Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee Country, the Extensive Territories of the Muscogulges or Creek Confederacy, and the Country of the Chactaws. Containing an Account of the Soil and Natural Productions of Those Regions; Together with Observations on the Manners of the Indians (better known as Bartram's Travels and The Travels of William Bartram) is a nonfiction book written by William Bartram. Released in 1791, it describes Bartram's travels through the "Deep South" and his encounters with Native peoples.
Notable people within[]
- William Bartram
- Dr. John Fothergill
rest to be added
Publisher's summary[]
For years, serious naturalists have treasured their copies of Francis Harper's naturalist's edition of The Travels of William Bartram as the definitive version of Bartram's pioneering survey. Complete with notes and commentary, an annotated index, maps, a bibliography, and a general index, this classic is now back in print for the first time in decades. Harper's knowledge of natural history transforms Bartram's accounts of the southern states from a curious record of personal observation from the past into a guidebook useful to modern biologists, historians, ornithologists, and ethnologists.In 1773 the naturalist and writer William Bartram set out from Philadelphia on a four-year journey ranging from the Carolinas to Florida and Mississippi. For Bartram it was the perfect opportunity to pursue his interest in observing and drawing plants and birds. Combining precise and detailed scientific observations with a profound appreciation of nature, he produced a written account of his journey that would later influence both scientists and poets, including Wordsworth and Coleridge.
Bartram was among the first to integrate scientific observations and personal commentary. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he condemned the idea that nature was simply a resource to be consumed. Instead, he championed the aesthetic and scientific values of an "infinite variety of animated scenes, inexpressibly beautiful and pleasing." From his field journals he prepared a report for his benefactor and a larger report for the public. The former was rediscovered much later and published in 1943; the latter was published in 1791 and became the basis for the modern Bartram's Travels.
Summary[]
Introduction[]
Bartram begins the introduction by introducing the reader to the beauty and divinity of nature. After discussing the flora of America, Bartram discusses an incident in which a hunter he was travelling with murdered a bear and his solo expedition into nature the next day. Finally, Bartram discusses if it is possible to bring the Native peoples of America into the United States. Bartram believes this is possible if people are sent to learn their culture.
Part I[]
Having been hired by the London Quaker Dr. Fothergill to explore the lower regions of America, Bartram departed from Philadelphia in a brigantine known as the Charleston Packet. While coasting towards Charleston, the ship was caught in a storm but soon arrives in Charleston. While in Charleston, Bartram met with Governor Stewart (who gave him various letters) before departing for Savanna (where he met with the Academy) and the Sunbury area. Bartram described the various flora and fauna living around the Sunbury area and a visit to a nearby island.
Soon, Bartram began travelling towards Fort Barrington. He spent a few days with the "Hon. B. Andrews" before he travelled down the Alatahama and visited various settlements - including the farmstead of the M'Intosh family, whom he stayed with as a tempest raged overhead. Once the tempest stopped, Bartram proceeded further down the Alamatahama and visited the house of Mr. M'Intosh - taking his oldest son John into the party while at the house.
Shortly after this, Bartram arrived at a ferry near Fort Barrington and used it to cross the Alatahama. He then rode to some pine forests nearby St. Ille. Bartram describes various flora and fauna (such as gopher tortoises) that live within the area. By that night, Bartram arrived in St. Ille - where he stayed the night before starting towards St. Mary's. While on this approach, Bartram was found by a Native holding a rifle while completely alone. Oddly, the Native spared Bartram. Once in St. Mary's, Bartram learned that the Native he found was a known murderer. Having taken wildlife samples from St. Mary's, Bartram returned to the house of L. M'Intosh and formally inducted his son into his party.
After spending a day in Savanna, the party set off for Augusta to follow the "superintendant of Indian affairs". Bartram finds that the voyage to Augusta was so banal that he gives a somewhat lenghty description of the soil that can be found in these parts instead of describing it. Shortly after the party arrived in the "village of Augusta", negotiations were held between Natives and settlers that Bartram says ended "in unanimity, pace, and good order". The leader of these negotiations (one Colonel Barnet) invited Bartram to join him on a tour to ascertain the boundaries set by the negotiations. As such, the party began travelling towards a place known as "Great Buffalo Lick". During these travels, Bartram visited the village of Wrightsborough and noted various ancient and somewhat modern Native settlements. While at the Buffalo Lick, the party was briefly interrupted by a squabble between their surveyor and a Native chief. Shortly after this, the party visited an area known as the "Great Ridge" and the "Broad River" before returning to Augusta. After collecting all of his samples and sending them to Europe, Bartram stayed in a plantation on Broughton Island and went on a voyage down the Alatahama River. Upon returning, Bartram discovered that discontent between the Cherokees and the settlers had sprung and decided to travel to southern Florida instead of northwest Carolina.
Part II[]
In March of 1774, Bartram departed from Savanna and travelled to Florida. He visited various islands before landing at the island of St. John's. While there, Bartram experienced the hospitality of a stranger and explored the ruins of a British fort. Shortly after this, Bartram departed for East Florida by boat. While drifting towards Cumberland Isle, Bartram's ship encountered a trading schooner and learned that the Native peoples of the upper shore had turned hostile and attacked nearby trading houses - which caused the relocation a chest sent forwards by Bartram that had important supplies in it. As such, Bartram decided to travel to the island it had been placed on. While doing this, Bartram visited a plantation on Amelia Island - where he was joined in his travels by an agent of the British nobleman who owned the plantation. Bartram and this agent began a voyage to St. Augustine.
While on the way to St. Augustine, the two travellers briefly visited an indigo plantation where they (presumably) split paths due to difference in opinions. Bartram then crossed further up a river called St. Juan's River while a storm raged. Bartram briefly stayed at a plantation before meeting with a friend from St. Augustine further up the river. This friend revealed that the recent attacks were the works of a few disgruntled Natives and that terms were worked out agreeably. Bartram then travelled to where Fort Picolata was but found that the Fort had been dismantled. As such, he went further up the river - being caught in a veritable storm of mayflys. Bartram gives a lenghty description of the wilderness in the St. Juan's area. After several days' travel through St. Juan's, Bartram passed a small Native village and stopped at the small town of Charlotia. While there, Bartram's chest was returned to him.
After spening several days in Charlotia (and having several meetings with one Mr. M'Latche), Bartram began an expedition to three different trading-houses. Shortly after beginning his voyage, Bartram reached a large lake called Lake George. He was kept on an island sitting in the Lake for several days by a storm and surveyed the island. He then reached the first trading-house and spent some time boarding in it.
Shortly after leaving the trading-house, Bartram briefly took the company of a "White Captain"'s nephew and arrived at a lagoon filled with alligators. Bartram studied these creatures and their burrows before travelling further through St. Juan's river. After several days' travel, Bartram ended up at a plantation right before a hurricane hit and trashed the plantation (along with his belongings). After repairing his supplies, Bartram travelled to the settlement of New Smyrna and briefly stocked up before leaving for the lower store. Bartram travelled to various natural locations before arriving at Mount Royal.
rest to be added
See also[]
| Title | Author | Release date | Signifigance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undaunted Courage | Stephen E. Ambrose | 1996 | A nonfiction book on the travels of Lewis and Clark |
| The Last of the Mohicans | James Fenimore Cooper | 1826 | A novel possibly inspired by Bartram's Travels |
| Mason & Dixon | Thomas Pynchon | 1997 | A novel detailing the travels of Mason and Dixon |
| Ecology of a Cracker Childhood | Janisse Ray | 1999 | A nonfiction book on the ecology of the Deep South |
| Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America | Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca | 1542 | A nonfiction book detailing a voyage through America |
| Travels | Marco Polo | 1300 (approx) | A nonfiction book detailing the travels of Marco Polo |
Sources[]
- Wikipedia
- Goodreads