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Cedrus libani - Cedar of Lebanon

Scientific Name: Cedrus libani

Common Name: Cedar of Lebanon

Primary Source References

1805 October 26. (Jefferson to Madame de Tessé). "[W]ere it not for this [irregularities on the ocean by belligerent powers], I would ask you to send me by some occasion ... some seeds of the Cedrus Libani which you have in the Jardin des plantes ... but I should only expose myself to the mortification of losing them."[1]

1807 April 11. (Garden Plan). "Nursery. begun in bed next the pales, on the lower side, where Genl. Jackson’s peaches end to wit within 2.f. of the 4th. post from the S.E. corner. ... Cedrus Libani. Cedar of Lebanon. 2. rows. ... seeds received from Doctr. Gouan at Montpelier."[2]

1808 March 2. "Pd. Holt for 4. cones of Cedar of Lebanon 1.D."[3]

1810 January 13. (Jefferson to Bernard McMahon). "[T]he Cedar of Lebanon & Cork oak are two trees I have long wished to possess. but, even if you have them, they could only come by water, & in charge of a careful individual, of which opportunities rarely occur."[4]

1811 March 10. (List of plants and seeds). "[P]lants. ... Cedar of Lebanon."[5]

1812 February 16. (Jefferson to Bernard McMahon). "[N]ever 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. ... trees. Cedar of Lebanon."[6]

1812 March 21. "Nursery. ... 9th [terras]. [planted] Cedar of Lebanon thro the whole ... All these were sent me from Edinburg by Mr. Ronaldson."[7]

1812 April 2. "Planted in the old boxes No. ... 13. Cedar of Lebanon."[8]

1812 November 2. (James Ronaldson to Jefferson). "I am sorry at not having it in my power to give you some of the European Ash, Scots fir, Silver fir, cedar of Lebanon &c &c having handed all that class over to Mr McMahon, with him however they will be in good keeping; and have the best chance of being introduced into the Nation."[9]

1826 April 27. (Jefferson to John Patten Emmet). "The trees I should propose [for the University of Virginia botanical garden] would be exotics of distinguished usefulness, and accomodated to our climate. such as the Larch, Cedar of Libanus .... cones of the Cedar of Libanus are in most of our seed shops, but may be had fresh from the trees in the English gardens..."[10]

Further Sources

References

  1. ^ Thomas Jefferson Papers, Huntington Library. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  2. ^ Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Transcription available at Founders Online. Antoine Gouan was a professor of botany at Montpellier, France. See Betts, Garden Book, 333.
  3. ^ MB, 2:1220. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  4. ^ PTJ:RS, 2:140. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  5. ^ See PTJ:RS, 4:497-98n. Transcription (provided in editorial note) available at Founders Online.
  6. ^ PTJ:RS, 4:497-98. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  7. ^ Garden Book, 1766-1824, page 49, by Thomas Jefferson [electronic edition], Thomas Jefferson Papers: An Electronic Archive (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2003). See also Betts, Garden Book, 475.
  8. ^ Garden Book, 1766-1824, page 49, by Thomas Jefferson [electronic edition], Thomas Jefferson Papers: An Electronic Archive (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2003). See also Betts, Garden Book, 476.
  9. ^ PTJ:RS, 5:438-40. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  10. ^ Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. Transcription available at Founders Online.

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