Politicians, Naturalists, and Artists in the New Nation, 1776–1839 27
water pond played on the sight, through the dark
grove, like a brilliant diamond, on the bosom of
the illumined savanna, bordered with various
flowery shrubs and plants; and as we advanced
into the plain, the sight was agreeably relieved by
a distant view of the forests, which partly envi-
roned the green expanse on the left hand, whilst
the imagination was still flattered and entertained
by the far distant misty points of the surrounding
forests, which projected into the plain, alternately
appearing and disappearing, making a grand
sweep round on the right, to the distant banks
of the great lake. But that venerable grove is now
no more. All has been cleared away and planted
with indigo, corn, and cotton, but since deserted:
there was now scarcely five acres of ground under
fence. It appeared like a desart to a great extent,
and terminated, on the land side, by frightful
thickets, and open pine forests.Source: William Bartram, Travels Through North and
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (Philadelphia: James
and Johnson, 1791), pp. 96-98.state it possessed an almost inexpressible air of
grandeur, which was now entirely changed. At
that time there was a very considerable extent of
old fields round about the mount; there was also
a large orange grove, together with palms and live
oaks, extending from near the mount, along the
banks, downwards, all of which has since been
cleared away to make room for planting ground.
But what greatly contributed towards complet-
ing the magnificence of the scene, was a noble
Indian highway, which led from the great mount,
on a straight line, three quarters of a mile, first
through a point or wing of the orange grove, and
continuing thence through an awful forest of live
oaks, it was terminated by palms and laurel mag-
nolias, on the verge of an oblong artificial lake,
which was on the edge of an extensive green level
savanna. This grand highway was about fifty yards
wide, sunk a little below the common level, and
the earth thrown up on each side, making a bank
of about two feet high. Neither nature nor art
could any where present a more striking contrast,
as you approached this savanna. The glittering
Document 24: Benjamin Rush on Saving the Sugar Maple (1791)
The relationship between conservation and political and social issues is evident in this letter by a prominent
Revolutionary era physician. Dr. Benjamin Rush’s plea for the preservation of the sugar maple, which was
combined with a quest for the emancipation of slaves, was probably one of the earliest proposals to save trees
that was not concerned with timber for construction or firewood.
Sugar was a luxury commodity in the colonial period and during the early decades of the nation. It was only
in the mid-nineteenth century that it became inexpensive enough to come into wide use among the middle class.The Acer Sacharinum of Linnaeus, or Sugar
Maple-tree, grows in great quantities in the west-
ern counties of all the Middle States of the Amer-
ican Union. Those which grow in New-York and
Pennsylvania yield the sugar in a greater quantity
than those which grow on the waters of the Ohio.
But the profit of the maple tree is not confined
to its sugar. It affords a most agreeable molasses,
and an excellent vinegar. The sap which is suitable
for these purposes is obtained after the sap which
affords the sugar has ceased to flow, so that the
manufactories of these different products of the
maple tree, by succeeding, do not interfere with
each other. The molasses may be made to com-
pose the basis of a pleasant summer beer. The
sap of the maple is moreover capable of afford-
ing a spirit, but we hope this precious juice will
never be prostituted by our citizens to this ignoble
purpose. Should the use of sugar in diet become
more general in our country, it may tend to lessen