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George Clymer ALS regarding medical treatments and agricultural advances
George Clymer ALS regarding medical treatments and agricultural advances
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Description:

Clymer George

George Clymer ALS regarding medical treatments and agricultural advances

 

3pp ALS inscribed overall and initialed by Declaration Signer George Clymer (1739-1813) as “GC.” on the third page. Addressed to an unknown correspondent named "Harry C." on January 5, 1805. Docketed on blank fourth page. In good condition, where weakened and toned folds have been repaired. Some  minor paper loss at edges. Each page measures 6.5" x 8".

 

George Clymer aims to revive the nation’s first agricultural society, and reports on some recent technological innovations.

 

A complete transcript can be found below:

 

"Dear Harry

 

I take up my pen today, because I have not had it in my hands in a letter to you, for a long time—for I consider some weeks, so—I think my last was accompanied by the vaccine matter from Dr. Cone, for poor Tom, but you have said nothing about your administration of it—perhaps you took it for granted that I would look upon the inoculation as having taken place, and well got over. Indeed I hope so—but you might as well have said it.

Dr Mease is very ardent in the revival of the old agricultural society, and speaking to me about it,we called on Major Hodgdon who possesses the old minutes for the names of the members. And when the Major is more at leisure we can proceed with his help—I make no doubt but the regenerative spirit of it would be better than the original. There being now so many more intelligent people than formerly, who have got their hands into the farming business, and have been made to understand the important difference between systems—The society was born under the auspices of town ignorance and country prejudice, and will be revived when both these are pretty well subdued—The Doctor would make an exceedingly good secretary—for he has turned his attention to such subjects, and no doubt expecting fame from the office, would endeavor to exercise it so as to merit it—

The Doctor called upon me yesterday to tell me of a journey he has just made in the cold, expressly to view a new made thrashing machine—It seems there it is an Englishman settled on the Schuylkill mouth at the Mouth of Perkiomin [Perkiomen Creek, named Bakewell and a relation of the great breeder, who has this machine. The Doctor saw it in operation, the power two, oxen - the work 18 bushels pr. hour The cost $200—The workman a man in town named Prentiss from England or Scotland—this was connected with with in connection was [with a fan but the fan was hastily made and did not succeed as it ought to have done—The Doctor thinks it is too large to carry about, but agreed with me in thinking that a lighter one, equal to 40 or 50 bushels a day, should be encouraged if of correspondent cheapness. The Doctor has seen a lately invented instrument something like a screw worked with a winch, that most effectually grinds up all manner of Indian corn cobs. A very important thing! A saving to man, and a new food to animals. I dare say upon further tapping the Doctor would give more out—and so I suppose you think, who have a good opinion of his late work—but enough for the present-and indeed more could not be got in [the space further than my sencere [sic love to all of you.—

 

GC—

 

January 5, 1805—Saturday".

 

The Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and Agricultural Reform was founded in 1785, and was the first of its kind. The society, modeled after European academic societies, was organized by 23 leading Philadelphia merchants and landowners. George Washington was an honorary member, and Declaration signers George Clymer and Benjamin Rush were among its founding members. James Mease, mentioned here, was a student of Rush's.

 

The society’s goal was to increase American farming output by implementing scientific methods of agricultural production, such as fertilizer use, crop rotation, and improved husbandry. As is clear from this letter, technological advances were especially important. Yet the society suffered from a chronic lack of funds, an inability to disseminate information, and a reluctance on the part of farmers to abandon traditional farming methods. The society fell apart around 1793, and the groups did not meet at all between 1795 and 1805. It was revived in May 1805, when Mease was indeed named its secretary.

 

George Clymer, signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress (1776-1777, 1780-1782). The prosperous Philadelphia-born merchant was an early supporter of independence, underwriting the war effort by exchanging his hard currency for the much less stable Continental paper money. He was a volunteer captain, and sat on the Committee of Public Safety and the Boards of War and Treasury. After the war, he served in the Pennsylvania legislature, collected taxes, and helped negotiate a treaty with the Cherokee and Creeks. Upon retirement, he was the first president of both the Bank of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the vice president of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. Clymer was known for his brevity, but was nevertheless a major influence on Revolutionary War era politics and finance.

 

James Mease (1771-1846) studied medicine under Benjamin Rush and was a prominent Philadelphia doctor and scientific thinker. He helped develop a scientific vineyard, was a member and curator of the American Philosophical Society, and was a founder and first vice president of the Philadelphia Athenaeum. Mease served as surgeon during the War of 1812. His voluminous correspondence examined horticulture, geology, penal reform, technology, and medicine. He wrote a book, The Picture of Philadelphia, Giving an Account of its Origin, Increase, and Improvements in Arts, Sciences, Manufactures, Commerce and Revenue (1811), that charted the city's rise to prominence in American life.

 

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