Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Bernard McMahon, 16 February 1812

To Bernard McMahon

Monticello Feb. 16. 12.

Sir

In your letter of March last, as on various other occasions, you were so kind as to offer to supply my wants in the article of plants, and in my answer of April 8. I mentioned a few articles, as also the mode of conveyance, which could not occur till about this time. an opportunity now presents itself of the most fortunate kind. mr Harmer Gilmer, a student of medecine now in Philadelphia, and my neighbor, will be setting out on his return to us very soon after you recieve this. he will come in the stage and will, I am sure, take charge of any small box you may be so good as to put under his care. I write to him on this subject. never expecting so good an opportunity again, & so seasonable a one, I will still add a little to my former wants so as to put me in possession once for all of every thing to which my views extend, & which I do not now possess.

seeds. Auricula. double Anemone. double Carnation. Mignonette. eggplant. Sea Kale

bulbs. Crown imperial. double Ranunculus.

plants. Hudson & Chili strawberries. fine gooseberries. Cape jasmine.

trees. Cedar of Lebanon. balm of Gilead fir. Cork tree. Spanish Chesnut or Maronnier of ye French.

one plant of the Cape jessamine, & one or two of the trees will suffice. the seeds may come in a letter packet by mail; the bulbs, plants & trees (if the latter be chosen small) in a small & light box, packed in moss which mr Gilmer will take charge of: and if you will be so kind as to inform me of the amount in the letter by the mail, it shall be promptly remitted. mr Gilmer will be so near his departure as to require immediate dispatch.

Among other plants I recieved from M. Thouin, was the Brassica sempervirens, or Sprout Kale. one plant only vegetated, the 1st year, but this winter I have 20. or 30. turned out for seed. I consider it among the most valuable garden plants. it stands our winter unprotected, furnishes a vast crop of sprouts from the beginning of December through the whole winter, which are remarkably sweet and delicious. I inclose you a few seeds, a part of what the original plant gave us; the next year I hope to have a plenty. I send it because I do not percieve by your catalogue that you have it. Accept my esteem & respect

Th: Jefferson

PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr McMahon”; endorsed by TJ. Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 192:34238); undated; subjoined to RC of McMahon to TJ, 10 Mar. 1811; consisting of plant and seed list:

“dble Anemone. Auricula dble Carnation
dble Ranunculus. Crown Imperial
Mignonette.
sea kale egg plant
Chili Hudson strawberries
Gooseberries
Cape Jasmine
Cork tree. Cedar of Lebanon
Balm of Gilead fir.  Spanish chesnut. Maronnier
seeds.  dble Anemone
Auricula.
dble Carnation
Mignonette
Sea Kale
egg plant
bulbs. dble Ranunculus
Crown imperial.
plants. Hudson } strawberries
Chili
  gooseberries
Cape Jasmine
Cedar of Lebanon
balm of Gilead fir
Cork tree
Spanish Chesnut. Maronnier.”

TJ received seeds of sprout kale from André Thoüin in the spring of 1811 and cultivated the plant on the lower platform of his garden by the following year (Betts, Garden Book description begins Edwin M. Betts, ed., Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book, 1766–1824, 1944 description ends , 469 and plate 33 opp. p. 474).

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