![CRÈVECOEUR. Autograph manuscript, a notebook of observations of the United States, n.p., [c. 1805]. 99 pages in a book of 277 leaves, 4to, in French, bound in original speckled vellum boards, edges red, cover worn, otherwise very fine condition.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09806_0032_000(034554).jpg?w=1)
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CRÈVECOEUR. Autograph manuscript, a notebook of observations of the United States, n.p., [c. 1805]. 99 pages in a book of 277 leaves, 4to, in French, bound in original speckled vellum boards, edges red, cover worn, otherwise very fine condition.
CRÈVECOEUR'S PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES: OHIO, MOUNT VERNON, MONTICELLO, THE SLAVE TRADE, INDIANS AND "MICHAUX'S TRAVELS OVER THE ALLEGHENYS"
An remarkable notebook of observations on a plethora of topics. Crèvecoeur habitually recorded his observations and impressions: "Ever since the beginning of his stay in America...he accumulated notes on everything he saw or did. He continued making notes when he became a farmer in New York State and never stopped." (Allen and Asselineau, p. 192) The facts and thoughts that he penned in notebooks such as this no doubt provided a foundation for his writings.
Crèvecoeur, who greatly admired Washington, made a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon, only a few years after the President's death, and expresses his admiration for Mount Vernon in great detail: "Mount Vernon is situated on the west bank of the Potomac...The principle residence is built on the flattened summit of a hill...George Washington has had a beautiful windmill built, which today is surrounded by big poplars...there is a spacious garden, which is kept by a talented English gardener." Crèvecoeur notes the simplicity of the house, but acknowledges that it was built when Washington was young: "a long way from predicting that he was one day going to contribute to breaking the links which united the colonies to the capital and that after having conducted and presided over the most astonishing revolution in modern times, he would return after eight long years of war without adding anything to his fortune." Crèvecoeur concludes the passage with a glowing commentary on Washington: "The wisdom and prudence of his counsel, his steadfastness in the face of disasters, his modesty following victory, his humanity and compassion in the midst of the horrors of war, have long been consigned to the pages of history." A discussion of Monticello focuses on details of the farm's operation, with particular note of its prestigious owner: "Like the wise Washington, the current President of the United States is one of the farmers of Virginia, considered to be the most educated."
Following a brief section of scientific information including a method for softening water, Crèvecoeur utilizes thirteen pages in an analysis of Michaux's Travels over the Alleghenys. This descriptive study by a French botanist published in Paris in 1804, clearly caught the interest of the author of Journey into Northern Pennsylvania and the State of New York. Crèvecoeur studies the travels of Michaux through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, etc. giving details concerning population, landmarks, architecture, vegetation, topography and a host of other subjects.
Crèvecoeur devotes seven pages to a discussion of the new state of Ohio. He makes an assessment of the enterprising town of Chillicothe: "this humble village...already contains 236 houses, 1500 inhabitants, a small courthouse, a decent residence for the government and legislators, a church...three schools and a printing house...destined to be the capital and designed after a plan of Philadelphia, it lies on the site of an ancient Shawnee village." Noting the characteristics of the settlers around Chillicothe, Crèvecoeur writes: "Everywhere that the colonists from Massachusetts establish themselves, they always bring democratic government with them, as well as the wise and useful municipal institutions of their native land. This is why the ingenuity, courage, perseverance and intelligence of these colonists is nearly always crowned with success." (pp. 17-18)
Commenting on American Indians, Crèvecoeur writes: "These natives therefore do not have the same degree of intelligence nor the same aptitude as European and Asian nations; therefore, there are several species of men" (p. 44). His comments on slavery in the notebook appear less enlightened than in previous writings: "Slavery is indigenous in most parts of Africa...look at the history of the Congo...the law is founded on the trade of men...one can observe only weakness, apathy, laziness; they know nothing of desire or ambition" (p. 52). And on the United States, he writes: "they have a positive Constitution - Washington meditated a great deal on his country, he said little and did much...the establishment of education and charity, experienced so late in Europe, have been introduced here a long time ago" (p. 62).
The notebook is permeated with philosophical commentary that is often cynical in tone. Some of the general and specific topics that Crèvecoeur touches upon are: history, morality, religion, astronomy, music, tolerance, Niagara, war, Voltaire, Pennsylvania, crocodiles in Florida, liberty and human nature. Also included in the notebook is an eight-page summary of Crèvecoeur's work The Three Sultans, with a printed trial title page, various charts, and newsclippings relating to Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin and Maryland.
CRÈVECOEUR'S PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES: OHIO, MOUNT VERNON, MONTICELLO, THE SLAVE TRADE, INDIANS AND "MICHAUX'S TRAVELS OVER THE ALLEGHENYS"
An remarkable notebook of observations on a plethora of topics. Crèvecoeur habitually recorded his observations and impressions: "Ever since the beginning of his stay in America...he accumulated notes on everything he saw or did. He continued making notes when he became a farmer in New York State and never stopped." (Allen and Asselineau, p. 192) The facts and thoughts that he penned in notebooks such as this no doubt provided a foundation for his writings.
Crèvecoeur, who greatly admired Washington, made a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon, only a few years after the President's death, and expresses his admiration for Mount Vernon in great detail: "Mount Vernon is situated on the west bank of the Potomac...The principle residence is built on the flattened summit of a hill...George Washington has had a beautiful windmill built, which today is surrounded by big poplars...there is a spacious garden, which is kept by a talented English gardener." Crèvecoeur notes the simplicity of the house, but acknowledges that it was built when Washington was young: "a long way from predicting that he was one day going to contribute to breaking the links which united the colonies to the capital and that after having conducted and presided over the most astonishing revolution in modern times, he would return after eight long years of war without adding anything to his fortune." Crèvecoeur concludes the passage with a glowing commentary on Washington: "The wisdom and prudence of his counsel, his steadfastness in the face of disasters, his modesty following victory, his humanity and compassion in the midst of the horrors of war, have long been consigned to the pages of history." A discussion of Monticello focuses on details of the farm's operation, with particular note of its prestigious owner: "Like the wise Washington, the current President of the United States is one of the farmers of Virginia, considered to be the most educated."
Following a brief section of scientific information including a method for softening water, Crèvecoeur utilizes thirteen pages in an analysis of Michaux's Travels over the Alleghenys. This descriptive study by a French botanist published in Paris in 1804, clearly caught the interest of the author of Journey into Northern Pennsylvania and the State of New York. Crèvecoeur studies the travels of Michaux through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, etc. giving details concerning population, landmarks, architecture, vegetation, topography and a host of other subjects.
Crèvecoeur devotes seven pages to a discussion of the new state of Ohio. He makes an assessment of the enterprising town of Chillicothe: "this humble village...already contains 236 houses, 1500 inhabitants, a small courthouse, a decent residence for the government and legislators, a church...three schools and a printing house...destined to be the capital and designed after a plan of Philadelphia, it lies on the site of an ancient Shawnee village." Noting the characteristics of the settlers around Chillicothe, Crèvecoeur writes: "Everywhere that the colonists from Massachusetts establish themselves, they always bring democratic government with them, as well as the wise and useful municipal institutions of their native land. This is why the ingenuity, courage, perseverance and intelligence of these colonists is nearly always crowned with success." (pp. 17-18)
Commenting on American Indians, Crèvecoeur writes: "These natives therefore do not have the same degree of intelligence nor the same aptitude as European and Asian nations; therefore, there are several species of men" (p. 44). His comments on slavery in the notebook appear less enlightened than in previous writings: "Slavery is indigenous in most parts of Africa...look at the history of the Congo...the law is founded on the trade of men...one can observe only weakness, apathy, laziness; they know nothing of desire or ambition" (p. 52). And on the United States, he writes: "they have a positive Constitution - Washington meditated a great deal on his country, he said little and did much...the establishment of education and charity, experienced so late in Europe, have been introduced here a long time ago" (p. 62).
The notebook is permeated with philosophical commentary that is often cynical in tone. Some of the general and specific topics that Crèvecoeur touches upon are: history, morality, religion, astronomy, music, tolerance, Niagara, war, Voltaire, Pennsylvania, crocodiles in Florida, liberty and human nature. Also included in the notebook is an eight-page summary of Crèvecoeur's work The Three Sultans, with a printed trial title page, various charts, and newsclippings relating to Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin and Maryland.