The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-04
COFFEE.

The following is an extract OF letter written
by Mr.. De Clieux, French gentleman to M.
Fuse Aublett, dated February Il, l77l, des-
cribing the manner in which coffee was intro
duced into the West Indies
.Coffee had long been a considerable article
of commerce from the Levant, before any Eu-
ropeans could find means Of obtaining live
plants, or fresh seeds--those imported being
dried and unfit for propagation. The first seeds
were brought to France, and planted by gen
teman OF Dion, in 1870 The trees bore fruit,
but fiat and insipid, and there appearing no
prospect of any advantage, they Were neglected.
Mr.. De Reasons, an officer of artillery, brought
thence the first plant TO the Kings garden, but
II persisted in a severe winter. Mr.. Bancras, a
hurgomaster of Amsterdam, sent flourishng
plant of coffee TO Louis XIV, in 17i4, of which
the history is so far interesting, because it was
the father Of all the coffee plantations IN the
West Indies. In the year ZIG, some young
plants the produce of this tree, were entrusted
TO the care of Mr. Isemberg doctor of physic,
TO carry to our Colonies in the Windward islands,
but he diving soon after his arrival, this attempt
proved abortve.
g In the year 1920, being then a captain Of
foot, and proprietor of plantation in the island
of Martinco, I formed a project of settling
there, and of carrying this very valuable art-
Gle with me. My IDEAS and hopes were san
gune about the success and great profits of my
undertaking, that they seemed 10 others vision
airy and romantic. Happily | obtained young
plant from the Kings garden, through the ine-
rest of Mr.. Chrac, physician Of the Kings
household. Guardian of this, to me, precious
treasure, embarked with the greatest pleasure.
The name of the ship and the captain from the
great length of time, have forgot; but shall
never forget that we had very tedious passage
and were put to very short allowance of water
and that was obliged for more than month to
divide what little came to my share daily with
my coffee plant, which was my chief source of
all my pleasures and hopes and indeed il want
ed all my care, for it was very weak, and not
longer than sprig of carnation. On my arrival,
my first care was TO plant 1t in the most favora-
Bile part of my garden; and though it was almost
Immediately under my eye, il had like TO have
been carried off several times, which obliged me
to make strong prckly fence about it, and
keep constant guard over it, until il rpened its
first crop of berries, when gathered about two
pounds, which | divided with those of my
friends in whose care | thought they would be
most likely TO be raised and prosper.
{" The first picking afforded great plenty; but
the second enabled us to extend the cultivation
prodigiously But what most singularly favor
ed its increase was, that about two years after
all the cocoa trees in the island (Which then gave
employ and support TO above two thousand of
and carried away, by the most dreadful hurri-
cane and floods ever remembered. The lands
where these trees grew were Immediately con
verted into coffee plantations which throve beyond
expectation, and have since been spread through
the islands, where they have met with the great
est success, which hope to see much extended.
There is not doubt but our coffee may be rem
dered full as good as the Moca, by observing
the necessary cautions ! have pointed out. |
have observed, ever since my first setting out
that the use N coffee has increased from year
to year, from day TO day, and is still becoming
more general-insomuch that the coffee planter
need be under no apprehension of failure in the
market or consumption"
II seems that the inhabitants of Martinco
were not only sensible Of the very great benefit
and riches they derived from the introduction of
coffee among them, but they were likewise so
grateful that they regularly subscribed and raised
among them 10000 livres (about 1000 ster-
ling) which they formally and punctually pre-
sented to Mr.. De Clleux erery year, until his
decease took place, as token of their real love
and esteem, and as a small tribute out of that
wealth OF which no hed heen the source.
Coffee was not introduced into HIspanluie
ill the wear l73S--and the French inhabitants of
that island subsequently, erected statue 10 the
memory of Mr. De Clieux, as being the father
of their great coffee plantations Boston Jour
nal.