Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Dr. Anderson, Superintendent of the Botanic Garden, is preparing plants to be shipped to the Bahamas. Concerned about safe conveyance of the specimens and their confiscation by "the Enemy," and discusses the particulars of shipment. Comments on breadfruit and "[g]rain and other kind of bread-food" being scarce for slaves.

“Facetious” letter with humorous medical diagnosis and remedy, emphasizing outrageous therapies. Includes a bill for services.

Formula for breast salve made from hartshorn sweet oil and laudanum.

"Memento of Mortality," describing the events leading up to the death of Daniel Garfield (1787-1801), written by his brother. Daniel was left behind during a hunting excursion and was found dead. "Various conjectures have been started as to the cause of his Death, the most reasonable is that he was suddenly seized with some convulsive fit occasioned by the rising of worms in His Stomach." Notes the Jury of Inquest. Details his activities preceding and after learning of his brother's death.

Inquiry to publisher about logarithm tables and verifying navigation tables. Asks about Nautical Almanacs and purchasing them cheaply.

Certifying that Mary Gray is in a fatal condition due to a knife wound in her neck.

Request for Montgolfier to show the operation of his hydraulic machine to Mr. Rotch, who will be returning to America soon and may need such machines. [In French]

Certifying that Cyrus Griffin is too ill to appear before the Senate in response to a subpoena. Signature verified by Thomas Griffin.

List of [Malacca?] Nuts copied from drawings in the "Library of the [J. J. Company?]."

Regarding "Cancer doctors," and their common career woes "from a return of the sores which were said to have been cured by them." Notes cancer doctors claiming to have obtained cures from Native Americans, which Rush finds improbable due to "Cancers being unknown among the Indians." Doubts the efficacy of vegetable cures, believing most to rely on arsenic. Warns Stuart that if he has found a cure it likely will yield "but a small profit... for a majority of the persons afflicted with them are poor people," while if he fails he will lose his good character. Letter arrived at the Clements Library with a portrait of Benjamin Rush, engraved by R. W. Dodson from a painting by T[homas] Sully. Printed in L. H. Butterfield, ed., Letters of Benjamin Rush, Vol. 2 (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1951), pp. 1049-1050. Donated by Peggy Harrington, from the collection of Kevin Harrington, 2014.