Search

Includes a poem on religion and family and short rhymes about death and fate. News of family and acquaintances, including marriages, death, health. Comments on his education, including Latin, “Physick and surgery,” and attending medical lectures. Working with Dr. Jonathan A. Allen and trying to make enough money to cover expenses, as his father will not provide any support. Tells Asa of their father’s increasing abuse of alcohol, efforts to intervene, and his bad reactions to them.

Letter written partially in rhyming poem and partially in plain text. Poem comments on Chapman's health, the area, and great number of doctors in the region. "The Doctors here are thicker than fleas, / Which flutter round as in a summer's breese / And waging war against all human kind / They're locust like devouring all they find…" Mentions medical cases he has worked on since his arrival, but still prefers New England. "I think it probable that I shall yet look for an establishment in N.E. certainly shall unless I feel more at home in this Indian-Dutch world than I do now." References canals and number of villages around them.

Will supply seeds for exchange in North America in January. [In French]

Notes on constructing a canal on Deep Creek in Maryland, arguing that it is feasible. Provides details on water flow, locks, and boat traffic. Has sent this information to the Secretary of War.

Recommends George Taylor, Jr., as a surgeon’s mate in the Army. Has taught Taylor medicine for several years and believes him competent, amicable, and respectable.

Gives news of family and acquaintances, including Mrs. Hawkins who is cared for by her daughter. Alice used to be a governess, but her pupil is dying. Mrs. Hawkins's son is apprenticed to a "copper plate printer." Comments on his family's "botanical nursery" and his father (Conrad Loddiges, d. 1826). Notes a forty-foot-high palm, their use of steam to heat their conservatories, and high costs preventing much profit.

Describes his symptoms of "brain fever," consisting of paroxysms, bleeding in the head and other internal organs, and bleeding externally. Comments on medical journals and schools.

Has sent ten boxes of his natural history collection to be accepted on his account and settled on his return. [Note: Original located in Gold Star Collection]

Correspondence delayed due to his preoccupation with the "Factory operations and construction of machines." His son suffers from inflammatory rheumatism, and other family members are sick with influenza. Seems to be an influenza epidemic, making factory operations difficult. Has not read newspapers to keep abreast of politics. Comments on Albany legislation, national politics, political parties, and South Carolinian political maneuvers. Notes New York state laws on manufactures.

Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Reigart, and Mr. Trimble recently left for Lancaster and Philadelphia. Refuses to tell Tully the name of “the Damsel for whom I yearn.” Brief mention of the Dutch. Read a publication on divination, curious to know how much of it that has entered into science is “fallacious.” Remarks on the publication’s discussion of pagan theology and the difference between natural and artificial divination. Curious whether Astrology, Physiognomy, Horoscopy, and Chiromancy retain elements of divination. Tells “an amusing description of Dancing,” including a brief reference to African American musicians. Recommends removing troublesome teeth, for “extraction tis much better than distraction.”