This Paper by ARW “appears to be the original — and I recommend it being printed in the Journal with a sketch of the Course of the River Negro [sic] which it describes.”
Showing 1–20 of 29 items
This Paper by ARW “appears to be the original — and I recommend it being printed in the Journal with a sketch of the Course of the River Negro [sic] which it describes.”
“Grieved to hear of the great loss my brother has suffered.” Unfortunately, fires at sea and shipwreck have become common. He will survive “and the name of Sir Alfred Wallace may [yet] shine forth.” Columbia is a gold mining community of fifteen thousand inhabitants, and is growing rapidly based on the achievements of our Company in providing water for the mines. Miners mostly get their own way. Foreigners are supposed to have a right to employment if they pay a state tax, but “Chinese and Mexicans are not allowed by the miners to work at all...and they carry out their ideas of liberty and equality by driving them out.” But our Company would not be pushed around when some miners protested that our rates are too high. I told them we must maintain current prices, and cut off the most prominent activists from buying water at any price, which deterred other “insolent” complainers.
Will answer some of your questions. ‘I’ve quite given up on making a fortune in California;” but am financially comfortable, will not return to live in England. Was just elected Superintendent and Chief Engineer of our water company, can have the job as long as I want it. Company has provided a horse, “frequently have to ride 25 or 50 miles per day on rough mountain roads” to maintain water system. Doing good business, will soon be out of debt and into profits. Gives specifications of five mile long water flume, and asks family to check his estimates of daily flow. . Will be able to pay back loans soon.
No summary available.
Submission to the Royal Geographical Society of an original paper, “On the Rio Negro” by ARW. “The River Vaupes, considered to be the headstream of the Rio Negro, is now for the first time delineated in the accompanying map.”
Discusses promising new technology of the Erickkson [sic] (Ericsson) Caloric Engine, an innovative heat transfer machine, fueled by wood or coal. His job as head of the Water project includes “laying out branch ditches, building dams and bridges, fluming across valleys, etc.” Must be on call at any hour “when anything happens to the ditch”; must immediately assemble a crew of laborers to repair damage. He supervises every detail of the whole system, 40 miles long “over roughest country and steepest hillsides.”
No summary available.
Application made to the Royal Geographical Society detailing ARW’s proposed trip to the Malay Archipelago and requesting free passage for the journey.
Thanks for “greatly esteemed favour” of April 6th, but was “much grieved at the misfortunes which befell our good friend Alfredo.” (ARW) “What labours he performed for mankind, what trouble to lose all his work of four years; but yet his life is saved, and that is the most precious…All kind remembrances to Senhor Alfredo.”
Form letter from Royal Geographic Society requesting evaluation of ARW paper “On the Rio Negro” for publication. Requests suggestions for editing it for publication. Parish’s response is at WCP3696.3603
No summary available.
Became worried when hadn’t heard from you (ARW); wondered what “catastrophe” found you, “whether you were shipwrecked, or got married” or overdosed “on plum pudding.” Finally learned of the fire that took your ship and collections; sympathize with your “sufferings and irreparable losses” and admire your stoicism. “I [too] have] looked death in the face.” Local Indians became drunk at a public feast and “threatened to murder all the whites” (all three of us). We were obliged to keep “constant [armed] watch for two days and nights.” Had they attacked, they could have easily killed us “for they were 150 against 3.” Local scoundrel named Chagas, “with a face exactly like the back of a Surinam toad” (ie. hideously pock-marked), has been helpful in arranging river expeditions for plant collecting, but “also took a special delight in cheating me.” Currently we’re preparing for a voyage up the Casiquiare, with the intention of entering the Rio Cunucunuma; next year we’ll explore the sources of the Orinoco.
In response to family requests for his picture as a rough, full-bearded miner, has had a Deguerreotype [sic] of himself made “in a medium state...passing from the rough barbarian state of early Californian life to the more peaceful and mild state of civilization.” Emphasizes that he is not a miner, but chief Engineer to the Toulumne County Water Company which supplies great quantities of necessary water in to hundreds of mines. Happy to report that his Company is a success. Requests picture of them in turn. Brother helped him (by letter) calculate the amount of water discharged to be 11 ½ million gallons every 24 hours. Describes system of reservoir and delivery system, which frequently is disrupted, sometimes flooding the town. Expresses interest in fad for mind over matter experiment, later known as telekinsesis.
No summary available.
John’s instructions to ARW on paying back debts of 180 lbs borrowed in 1849 to their mother and others. Will also send some beetles he has collected to find out if they may be valuable.
“Free passage to Singapore” granted to ARW and permission sought “to visit the Dutch and Spanish settlements in the Eastern Seas.” A place is available on a “ship of War” headed for Trincomalee “but no further.”
Official permission granted to ARW for “projected scientific expedition to the Eastern Archipelago”; Spanish Colonial office in the Philippines instructed “to afford to Mr. Wallace any assistance & protection he may require.”
ARW declines offer of passage “from Trincomalee to Singapore & [then] to Borneo” as taking too much time and expense, and “should prefer waiting for another opportunity.”
Transmits copy of note from Dutch Foreign Office, introducing ARW to Governor General of Netherland India. Permission for scientific expedition to Dutch Colony on Eastern Sea.
Relating postponement of ARW’s expedition until following November.