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Charles Darwin in collection 
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From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Darwin Fox
Date:
[11 May 1831]
Source of text:
Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 40)
Summary:

CD’s father has given him £200 to settle his debts.

He is delighted by a magnificent anonymous gift of a microscope.

Sees a good deal of the Henslows who are expecting a child soon.

CD still talks of the "Canary scheme"; he is learning Spanish.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Darwin Fox
Date:
[9 July 1831]
Source of text:
Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 41)
Summary:

Poverty keeps him at Shrewsbury.

The Canary scheme still goes, CD is studying Spanish and geology.

Jenyns has started CD on Diptera.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Stevens Henslow
Date:
[11 July 1831]
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 1 DAR/1/1/1)
Summary:

Has been learning to use a clinometer.

Has investigated passage and fares for Canaries trip.

Rereading Humboldt.

Asks JSH to thank Jenyns for present of Diptera.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Charles Thomas Whitley
Date:
[19 July 1831]
Source of text:
Shrewsbury School, Taylor Library
Summary:

He is "mad about Geology" and plans to ride through Wales in August with a few days at Barmouth.

Some humorous gossip.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Darwin Fox
Date:
1 Aug [1831]
Source of text:
Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 42)
Summary:

Will send his insects and two or three from Henslow.

The Canary scheme takes place next June.

Is grieved WDF thinks him capable of telling falsehoods.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Peacock
To:
John Stevens Henslow
Date:
[6 or 13] Aug 1831
Source of text:
DAR 97: B1–3
Summary:

GP has been asked to recommend a naturalist to sail with Capt. Robert FitzRoy to Tierra del Fuego and the South Sea Islands. If Leonard Jenyns is not available, whom would JSH recommend?

P.S. Urges JHS not to lose this opportunity to have collections made for "our museum".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
John Stevens Henslow
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Aug 1831
Source of text:
DAR 97(ser.2):4–5
Summary:

JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
George Peacock
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. 26 Aug 1831]
Source of text:
DAR 97 (ser.2): 11–13
Summary:

Details about FitzRoy and proposed voyage of Beagle. CD invited to go on the voyage as naturalist.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Stevens Henslow
Date:
30 [Aug 1831]
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 2 DAR/1/1/2)
Summary:

Feels he should decline Beagle voyage offer because of his father’s objections, which he lists. Would otherwise have taken all risks.

[Geological] trip with Adam Sedgwick a success.

Grieved at Marmaduke Ramsay’s death.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert Waring Darwin
To:
Josiah Wedgwood, II
Date:
30–1 Aug 1831
Source of text:
V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 96)
Summary:

CD has had an offer to go on a voyage of discovery for two years. RWD objects strongly, but will let CD make his case and if JW agrees with CD, RWD will change his position. In a postscript RWD adds, "Charles has quite given up … the voyage."

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Josiah Wedgwood, II
To:
Robert Waring Darwin
Date:
31 Aug 1831
Source of text:
DAR 97(ser.2): 6–8
Summary:

States his views on each of RWD’s objections to the Beagle venture. JW’s overall position is favourable to CD’s acceptance of the offer.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Robert Waring Darwin
Date:
31 Aug [1831]
Source of text:
DAR 223: 1; DAR 97: B10
Summary:

CD asks his father to consider the offer of the Beagle voyage once more. He encloses his list of RWD’s objections and Josiah Wedgwood’s responses [see 109]. Asks his father to give him a decided answer: if "no" he will never again mention the subject.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Robert Waring Darwin
To:
Josiah Wedgwood, II
Date:
1 Sept 1831
Source of text:
V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 96)
Summary:

RWD had made up his mind to give up his objection to the Beagle voyage if JW did not take the same view. If Charles continues to want to go after further inquiry, will give him every assistance.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Francis Beaufort
Date:
1 Sept [1831]
Source of text:
The National Archives (TNA) (ADM 1/4541 PRO D 262)
Summary:

CD accepts going with Capt. FitzRoy. Explains earlier refusal as owing to his father’s disapproval.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Beaufort
To:
Robert FitzRoy
Date:
1 Sept [1831]
Source of text:
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Archive (Letter Book no. 3, p. 233)
Summary:

Believes he has found a "savant" for FitzRoy in CD, whom he describes as grandson of Erasmus Darwin and "full of zeal and enterprize".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Stevens Henslow
Date:
[2 Sept 1831]
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 3 DAR/1/1/3)
Summary:

Has just arrived in Cambridge; his father has changed his mind. Asks to see JSH.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Susan Elizabeth Darwin
Date:
[4 Sept 1831]
Source of text:
DAR 223
Summary:

Spent preceding day with Henslow; much to be done. A friend, Alexander Charles Wood, has written to Capt. FitzRoy about CD. Peacock offered appointment as Beagle naturalist first to Leonard Jenyns, who almost accepted, as did Henslow himself. CD will talk to Capt. Francis Beaufort [Hydrographer] and FitzRoy. Thanks all his family.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Adam Sedgwick
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Sept 1831
Source of text:
DAR 204: 65
Summary:

Reports on his geological work in N. Wales since he and CD parted. Answers CD’s queries.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Susan Elizabeth Darwin
Date:
[5 Sept 1831]
Source of text:
DAR 223
Summary:

Wood has heard from FitzRoy, who seemed so much against CD’s going that CD and Henslow gave up. CD is in London; has seen FitzRoy, who is now ready to invite him. CD remains undecided. He likes FitzRoy. Gives details of prospective arrangements. They probably will be gone three years; "round the world" is not certain. Want of room is a serious objection.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Stevens Henslow
Date:
[5 Sept 1831]
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 4 DAR/1/1/4)
Summary:

Has met FitzRoy, who has now offered him the post of naturalist on board the Beagle. Other details about the voyage arrangements – mess, CD’s status, route, books.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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