30
In
undated draft of reply, Adanson cites impossibility to accept proposal, his health denying him
any kind of a voyage; must fulfill obligations and attend meetings of the Académie. Must not
live more than 5 lieues at most from Paris, so as to tend his garden daily and to eat there after the
Académie meetings. If the proposal would have fulfilled these requirements, he would have
accepted it, but never as an outright gift.
This letter originally was on top of the packet of this group, with the manuscripts of the
Villeneuve property [cf. AD 274], of which the upper one gave its dimensions. These elements
were misinterpreted by Chevalier (AD 33, p. 99), who stated that Adanson rented in
“Chartronges” a farm with the dimensions of the Villeneuve property. Adanson never bought or
rented any of the properties mentioned in these letters, but did seriously consider that at
Villeneuve au Roy.
AD 152 AVED, [Charles-François], Chaumont en Bassigny, 27 Decembre 1783. 3 pp.
Reports availability of a property in Saint-Martin, a village near Villeneuve au Roy, for the price
of 30,000 livres. Aved’s seafaring son has brought some seeds which Adanson may have if
wanted. Discusses Camus’ medical applications of electricity believing the results are at best not
permanent. Sends greetings to Adanson’s wife and the “charmante Aglaë.”
Adanson’s reply, drafted interlineally, regrets inability to accept Aved’s offers because his
present home at Neuilly has been leased for nine years, and he cannot live more than 2
lieues
from Paris because of his work. Discusses other points of Aved’s letter.
AD 153 AVED, [Charles-François], Chaumont en Bassigny, 21 Juillet 178[4].
Looked for Adanson each week since meeting him six weeks previous and left him a letter which
probably was not received. Saw Adanson’s place on the other side of the river at Neuilly. Offers
him a house for the summer; acceptance alone will be sufficient compensation. Discusses plans
for his own future, saying that he was applying for a position to the Contrôleur Général, M. de
Calonne [Charles-Alexandre (1734–1802)], who had already favored the family. Mentions
possibility for educating Adanson’s daughter and the receipt of a stone from the Mississippi
River said to cure nervous spasms, even epileptic ones.
Adanson’s reply is on separate leaf, dated Paris, 1 8bre [Oct.] 1784. Apologizes for the silence
following receipt of Aved’s former letter [not in this collection]. Reports that he now has
regained his former liberty, so necessary for his serious and philosophical works and can devote
himself to a friendship as sincere as Aved’s is for him, the only fault being the great distance
between Chaumont and Paris. Notes that if Aved should move to Paris, the state of their fortunes
should not differ too much if their’s is to be a pure and philosophical friendship! Reports that the
stone of the Mississippi River is a jade whose only virtue is in one’s imagination.
AD 154 AVED, [Charles-François], Chaumont [en Bassigny], 21 May 1786. 3 pp.
Reports on delay in mulberry growth. Invites Adanson to dinner when Aved will be in Paris and
to spend the summer with him in the country until the opening of the Académie. Will write soon
31
to M. de Calonne to remind him that while Adanson would not solicit justice for himself, he
cannot prevent his friends from doing so. Will soon return Adanson’s book of the emperor’s.
AD 155 AVED, [Charles-François], [Chaumont en Bassigny], 1 juillet 1786. 2 pp.
Reports having just visited M. de Calonne for a position for himself, and asked him to remember
the merited scientist [e.g., Adanson] who is neither used to nor has the time for soliciting and
wasting his time in the “anti-chambres.” Asks if he may stay with Adanson when in Paris, will
pay for it and both will be perfectly free, but could have meals together, to relieve him from the
tedium Adanson so often experiences.
AD 156 AVED, [Charles-François], [Paris], 27 aout 1786. 3 pp.
Writes that he failed to see Adanson at former address and did not want to interrupt him in his
garden. Would have rented an empty room at Palais Royal no. 44 if the earlier proposal to live as
neighbors had been possible, but notes that Adanson prefers absolute solitude. Has not had word
from M. de Calonne for a conference. Will certainly mention Adanson to de Calonne and tell
him of fame it will bring to his ministry if it will publish Adanson’s interesting and numerous
manuscripts. A list of subscribers should be made.
AD 157 AVED, [Charles-François], [Paris], 8 7bre [Sept.] [17]86. 3 pp.
Reports not being able to talk with de Calonne, although at his audience on 2 August he
promised to see Aved’s brother and him at his ease, but nothing was heard since. Asks Adanson
to accompany him to Chaumont or Reclancourt until the opening of the Académie season.
AD 158 AVED DE LOIZEROLLES, [Jean-Simon] (1732–1794) [younger brother of Charles-
François], Paris, 17 Aout 1787. 1 p.
Reports the sad news of the death of his brother, Charles-François Aved. Asks for the place
where Adanson permitted Charles-François to deposit securities.
AD 159 AVED DE LOIZEROLLES, [Jean-Simon], Paris, 26 Mars 1793. 1 p.
Wants to purchase a copy of Familles des plantes for a friend, who cannot get it in any shop. The
writer, an avocat before the Revolution, was executed in 1794, following a charge made against
his son, whose name and age were changed in the documents to implicate the father. Ironically
the verdict was reversed later; the father exonerated posthumously, and the property returned to
his heirs.
Annotated, “Repondu le Mercredi 27 Mars 1793 a 9 h. matin,” with draft of Adanson’s reply on
the letter noting that all spare copies have been given away and no profit has been realized from
the book.
AD 160 BEAUVAIS RASEAU,____, Paris, 9 Fevr. 1770. 2 pp.