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James H. Morrow Papers
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
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James H. Morrow was a young physician with an extensive background in natural history and agriculture when Secretary of State Edward Everett appointed him to serve as agriculturist with the U.S. expedition to Japan in February 1853. Commodore Perry's ship having already departed for Asia in the fall of 1852, Morrow sailed on board the U.S.S. Vandalia in March 1853 to meet with Perry at the Lew Chew (Liu Ch'iu) Islands in the East China Sea. The parties came together in July, and for nearly six months Morrow and the other scientists of the expedition based themselves in Macao preparing for the Japanese mission and touring the vicinity of Macao, Hong Kong, Whampoa, and Canton, where they made various scientific and cultural observations. In February 1854, the expedition arrived in Japan, and for eighteen weeks Morrow carried out his instructions as agriculturist to introduce and distribute Western seeds, plants, and agricultural implements to the Japanese; to collect and care for indigenous seeds, specimens, and agricultural tools and products; and to keep a full and accurate journal, which would be delivered to the Department of State upon his return.
Morrow, James H., 1820-1865James H. Morrow was a young physician with an extensive background in natural history and agriculture when Secretary of State Edward Everett appointed him to serve as agriculturist with the U.S. expedition to Japan in February 1853. Commodore Perry's ship having already departed for Asia in the fall of 1852, Morrow sailed on board the U.S.S. Vandalia in March 1853 to meet with Perry at the Lew Chew (Liu Ch'iu) Islands in the East China Sea. The parties came together in July, and for nearly six months Morrow and the other scientists of the expedition based themselves in Macao preparing for the Japanese mission and touring the vicinity of Macao, Hong Kong, Whampoa, and Canton, where they made various scientific and cultural observations. In February 1854, the expedition arrived in Japan, and for eighteen weeks Morrow carried out his instructions as agriculturist to introduce and distribute Western seeds, plants, and agricultural implements to the Japanese; to collect and care for indigenous seeds, specimens, and agricultural tools and products; and to keep a full and accurate journal, which would be delivered to the Department of State upon his return.
The collection consists of Morrow's original autograph draft of his expedition journal (approx. 213 pp.), over 100 pp. of manuscript lists and receipts for seeds and agricultural items, 19 manuscript letters or notes, one photograph of Morrow, and various additional documents, all inscribed or completed in manuscript. Much of this relates to the Perry Expedition, documenting, supplementing, and corroborating the published journal and papers edited by Allan B. Cole (A Scientist with Perry in Japan: The Journal of Sr. James Morrow, 1947) -- themselves a supplement to Perry's Narrative of the Expedition of the American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan . . . (1856). In addition to the expedition materials, the collection includes a number of documents of biographical interest about Morrow, dating from his college years in the 1840s to the year of his death in 1865 at the age of forty-five.
Arranged chronologically within two groups: Perry Expedition material, Morrow biographical material.
Part of Morrow's journal and other Morrow material related to Perry's expedition to Japan was published in A Scientist with Perry in Japan: The Journal of Dr. James Morrow (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1947), edited by Allan B. Cole.
Purchased from William Reese Co. in 2012 (AM2012-55).
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection was processed by John Delaney in January 2012. Finding aid written by John Delaney in January 2012, based on the dealer's descriptions.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Subject
- Agriculture -- Japan -- History -- Sources
- Agriculturists -- United States -- 19th century -- Manuscripts
- Scientific expeditions -- Japan -- 19th century
- Seeds -- United States -- Lists
- United States Naval Expedition to Japan -- (1852-1854)
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- John Delaney
- Finding Aid Date
- 2011
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
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Collection Inventory
1 box
Edward Everett: Washington, D.C. Feb. 26, 1853. [2] pp. Copied in Morrow's hand. Folded. This letter of instruction, from Secretary of State Edward Everett, describes the duties assigned to Morrow for the Perry Expedition, involving the exchange, distribution, collection, and care of plant specimens, seeds, and agricultural implements and the keeping of "a full and accurate Journal." [Printed on page 1 of Cole.]
Physical Description1 folder
Original autograph draft of Journal of Dr. James Morrow, in the Department of Agriculture, Connected with the United States' Expedition to Japan, in the Years of 1853 and 1854 under Commodore Perry. Various places, including China and Japan. Feb. 26, 1853 - Nov. 10, 1854, but probably inscribed in the U.S. in 1854-55. [213] pp. on loose folio leaves, for a total of over 52,000 words. Given the general consistency of paper, ink, and handwriting, and the lack of heavy corrections, it appears that this draft of the journal was made from original on-site entries following the expedition. Numerous changes in wording and format, however, exist between this draft and the journal submitted to the government circa 1856. That final, official copy of the journal was published by the University of North Carolina Press in 1947 and is held at the National Archives. "On the whole, Dr. Morrow kept his journal methodically as directed by the Secretary of State. Working as he was under handicaps with respect to the care of plants and seeds, the doctor used his diary as a prospective defense should he ever be charged with negligence. As a matter of fact, he was extremely conscientious. Since so many of our records of the Perry expedition to Japan have been written by naval men, the journal of a civilian and a scientist trained for observation, assumes special interest and value" - Cole.
Physical Description1 folder
Shimoda and Hakodate. April 22-29, [1854]. [18] pp. of pencil notes on 12mo.-sized leaves, totaling approximately 1,600 words. Apparently examples of Morrow's original pencil notes for his journal, composed in Japan during the second half of April 1854. The entries for April 22 and 29 appear in the later drafts of the journal, but in heavily revised form; the entries for April 23 and 28 were never included in later drafts. All of the entries contain observations on local plants, gardening, and agriculture.
Physical Description1 folder
Lists of agricultural specimens and implements. China and Japan. 1853-54. Approximately [45] pp. on loose leaves of various sizes. [30]pp. in bound journal. Very good. Approximately seventy-five pages of lists of agricultural tools and plant seeds, cuttings, and live specimens, both brought from the U.S. to Japan and collected in Japan and China for transport to the U.S. Morrow appended twelve of these lists in a final, revised form to the official draft of his journal, printed by Cole in Part Six of A Scientist . . . . Seven of those lists are present here, generally in a rougher form and occasionally in duplicate. Part Seven of Cole's publication prints a number of additional lists (in Appendices I-XIII) taken from "The Morrow Papers," which include the present documents. All of these additional lists are still present in these papers, together with six lists or combinations of lists never before published. One group of these lists, inscribed in pencil on 12mo.-sized leaves, records the contents of three boxes of seeds bound for exchange with Japan from the U.S., mentioning over 150 plant species and the amount of seed being transported for each species, as well as a list of twenty kinds of agricultural tools. Additional documents offering extensive and previously unpublished information on materials Morrow acquired in Japan include a pair of lists, one dated May 12, 1854, in Shimoda, Japan, the other dated May 20 in Hakodate, recording dates of purchase, quantities, and costs for over 100 packets of seeds, plant specimens, agricultural implements, and other materials (from cookware to Japanese paper) acquired by Morrow in Japan.
Physical Description1 folder
Japan, 1854. Six leaves of documents in Japanese, with occasional notes in English. Inscribed in contemporary ink manuscript on Japanese paper. Leaves measure between 6 1/4 x 8 inches and 6 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches. Folded. Near fine. Presumably lists of agricultural goods and specimens.
Physical Description1 folder
Various places. Dec. 7, 1853 - May 12, 1854. Two manuscript receipts (plus one duplicate) of seed specimens, signed at Shimoda, Japan, by James Morrow and on board the ship Competitor by Commander Moses Howes, Jr.; one receipt for cash disbursed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, signed on board the ship Powhatan by Morrow; and one order for rice and Japanese paper, signed at Shimoda by Morrow.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to Commodore Perry. China?, ca. late 1853. [1] p. folded. Printed in Cole as Appendix XVI: "A Letter from a French Scientist to Commodore Perry" (p. 257). The letter accompanies seed specimens and plant cuttings from China as the expedition departs for Japan.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. U.S.S. Vandalia, Yedo [i.e., Tokyo] Bay, Japan. April 8, 1854. Folded. Lightly gnawed at outer margin, not affecting text. Very good. A duplicate copy of a letter by the surgeon of the U.S.S. Vandalia certifying Morrow's work as assistant surgeon on the ship from June 7 to Aug, 26, 1853. Signed by the surgeon and by John Pope, Commander of the Vandalia.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to Edward Stubbs. New York. March 2, 1855. [1] p. Folded and docketed in manuscript. A letter from Franklin Pierce (not the President) of the U.S. Despatch Agency in New York to Edward Stubbs of the U.S. State Department: "Sir.... I have caused all the Store Houses to be examined, also the records of articles received at the Navy Yard here from Japan, but cannot find the missing box spoken of by Mr. Morrow. Can Mr. M. inform me by what vessel and when it was received here?"
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Washington, D.C. March 3, 1855. [1] p. Folded. With original envelope. This note transmits the New York Despatch Agent's question (in the above letter) regarding the missing box from Japan.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Washington, D.C. March 3, 1855. [1] p. Folded. With original envelope. Printed in Cole as Appendix XIX: "A Letter Concerning Classifications of Dr. Morrow's Botanical Collections." The letter requests that Morrow deliver the specimens he collected in Japan to Professor (Asa) Gray for classification. [COLE, p. 260.]
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to William L. Marcy. New York. March 6, 1855. [1] p. Docketed in manuscript. Folded. Morrow's retained copy of his letter to Secretary of State William L. Marcy reporting that the missing box containing hardware and cuttings from Japan (see above) has been located at the Naval store room in Brooklyn.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow] Charleston. June 26, 1855. [1] p. Folded. With original envelope. Printed in Cole as Appendix XVIII: "A Letter Concerning Oriental Fowls Given by Dr. Morrow to a Breeder." This letter acknowledges the receipt of fowl, presumably from China or Japan, sent by Morrow to Hugh Wilson, a South Carolina breeder. Wilson plans to mount the birds and make their discovery known and asks Morrow for additional details regarding them. [COLE, p. 259.]
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to the United States Congress. Np., ca. 1856. [12] pp. Ink faded but legible, else very good. Printed in Cole as Appendix XX: "Dr. Morrow's letter to the Senate and House of Representatives" [Cole, pp.260-68]. A draft of Morrow's memorial to both houses of Congress petitioning for compensation for his efforts on the Perry Expedition. The memorial was introduced to the House on May 28, 1856 by Thomas L. Clingman of North Carolina, "reporting the unanimous and favorable opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs" [Cole, p.xxii]. The House passed a bill for the relief of Morrow in August of that year, and after some debate in the Senate over a similar bill and an amendment that would have lessened the pay, the Senate approved the bill as passed by the House on Feb. 16, 1857. The bill was signed into law by President Pierce and announced two days later, and Morrow "was thereby to receive nearly $3000" (p.xxiii).
Physical Description1 folder
Original marbled boards of Morrow's journal, with some blank paper leaves.
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
Np., 1840s or 1850s. [1] p. Folded. A detailed table comparing Dr. Mason's hydrometer with the dew point hydrometer of Sir John Leslie.
Physical Description1 folder
Athens, Ga. February 1842. [3] pp. Docketed "J. Morrow" in manuscript. Folded. Evidently a college essay, in which Morrow deplores the current state of partisan politics in America. Morrow graduated from the University of Georgia (then called the Literary University of Franklin College) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1843.
Physical Description1 folder
Willington, S.C.? July 23, 1848, [1] p., and July 24, 1849, [1]p. One folded. Notes signed by Morrow acknowledging receipt of $18 and $7 from William P. Noble, Treasurer of the Willington Bible Society, "to be handed by me over to District Society at its anniversary meeting."
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Nantucket, Ma. Jan. 19, 1853. [1] p. Folded. Very good. In original inscribed envelope. A personal note to Morrow from, presumably, a young lady in Nantucket, accompanying "a small trifle" offered as "a token of friendship" (which is not present here) and wishing Morrow well on his upcoming journey. The envelope is addressed to Morrow at 13th Stret in New York; Morrow left for Japan from Philadelphia on March 6, 1853.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Bordeaux, S.C. Feb. 6, [1855]. [1] p. Folded. A personal letter to Morrow from a neighbor and family friend, expressing sorrow over the death of Morrow's stepfather and urging Morrow to return from Washington at his earliest convenience to comfort his mother.
Physical Description1 folder
Metropolitan Hotel: printed hotel receipts. New York. July 21, 1855. [2] pp. Printed and ruled paper forms, one with graphic letterhead, completed in manuscript. Folded. Receipts from the Metropolitan Hotel of Simeon Leland & Co. to Morrow for board, meals, and laundry during a four-day stay.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Charleston. May 24, 1858. [3] pp. Folded. With original inscribed envelope, printed business card laid in. A letter from attorney J.J. Pope addressed to Morrow in Washington, regarding a power-of-attorney issue.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Charleston. Aug. 13, 1859. [3] pp. On letterhead of the "President's Office North-Eastern Rail Road Co." Folded. A letter from A. F. Ravenel, president of the Northeastern Railroad Company, regarding the prospective sale of pine lands in which Morrow has expressed interest.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Charleston. Sept. 30, 1859. Folded. Acompanied by printed business card. A personal letter addressed to Morrow in New York, discussing family and politics (including a recent speech touching on slavery) and encouraging Morrow to sell his lands: "come south and get a southern wife and settle in Kiawah."
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to James Morrow. Augusta. June 22, 1860. [1] p. Folded. A personal letter to Morrow, evidently from a friend, discussing a recent purchase of land and plans to extract copper from it.
Physical Description1 folder
Two ALsS to James Morrow. Np., July 6 and July 7, 1860. [4] pp. Folded. With original envelope. Two signed letters to Morrow responding to questions on how to create income from lands he owns in Wisconsin.
Physical Description1 folder
Edgerton, Richards & Co. Drapers and Tailors: Charleston, S.C. July 18, 1860. [1] p. Printed letterhead and ruled paper form, completed in manuscript. Folded. Receipt from Charleston haberdashers to Morrow for a $50 purchase of men's clothing.
Physical Description1 folder
Liming[?], Thomas: Charleston, S.C. May 13, 1864. [1] p. Folded. A manuscript invoice for medical supplies issued to James Morrow in his capacity of Assistant Surgeon in the Engineer Corps of the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Physical Description1 folder
Morrow, James: [?], S.C. June 16, 1865. Broadside, 4 1/2 x 8 inches. Printed form, completed in manuscript and signed by James Morrow and Provost Marshall Fred Wilkinson. Folded. For those who qualified, signing the U.S. Oath of Amnesty during Reconstruction ensured a full legal pardon and restoration of property (other than slaves) to southerners who had participated in the Confederate government or military. Morrow had served as an assistant surgeon at the Confederate forts at Morris Island and James Island, South Carolina. The present document, which may have been mistaken by Cole as discharge papers from the Confederate army, notes that Morrow stood six feet, two inches, and had a fair complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes.
Physical Description1 folder
Np., nd. [1] p. Folded. Foxed, else good, inscribed in pencil. "Miss Church will accompany Mr. Morrow to the lecture this evening, with much pleasure. Wednesday evening."
Physical Description1 folder
Nantucket: William Summerhays, Photographer, early 1860s. Carte de visite. This photograph was used for the portrait frontispiece of Allan B. Cole, ed., A Scientist with Perry in Japan: The Journal of Dr. James Morrow (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1947).
Physical Description1 folder