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[fol. 227] Sr I take this opportunity by way of Jamaica of acquainting you of my safe arrival at Carthagen, where I should be very glad to execute your Commands if in any thing I could be serviceable. I have not been long enough here as yett to pretend to write any thing Concerning the Naturall history of the Countrey but shall in a short time in the best Manner I can. In the mean time I have sent two sorts of earth which this Countrey produces viz: the terra Macomachi which is a Cure for Ringworms outwardly apply’d, and the terra Cucuta which has the Virtues follow: ing ascribed to it 1.st it is said to stop a flux of blood 2ly to dissolve Coagulated blood internally from any bruise or fall being given, to the Quantity of as much as two ryalls or two sixpence’s weight; and Externally being laid on wounds it stops bleeding. I send you also the piedra Iguana or Guana Stone mention’d in Piso’s naturall history of Brasil, it is here Esteemed a wonderfull remedy for the Gravel being given to the Quantity of T1 or 3B. it works powerfully by Urine. P.S. Please to deliver the inclosed to Dr Haley it is from the Gentleman Mathematician Mentioned within. I had got what the Spainards call periu= liqere, Piso, Ignaous & the English a sloth; the Mother with her young one, but could not keep either of them alive, therefore I send you the old ones skin stuffed & the young one in spirits that you may see I did not forgett what you encharged me with. I send you also a shell of Balsam Coloso which is here esteemed before the Balsam Colu & indeed is much finer. I should be glad to know if any of these things be Esteemed in England for my Government here, or if there be any other things you would have me enquire for; & whither a quantity of the Earths or Balsam would sell? There is a very Ingenious Gentleman a Spainard in this town who is a Mathemati: cian & Engeneer to the King, he has lived in Chili, Lima & most places of the Indies & taken Observations in all places; he wrote to Mr Haley from Panama & sent him some observations about the Eclypses in these parts, but whither ever the letter came to hand he knows not, for he never had any answer; however he has been so kind to promise me a Collection of all the observations he has made in the Indies & is now Copying them out fair in Latin which I shall send you as soon as possible, he desires I would send for an astronomical Quarto: Circulo or Quadrant with a pendulum And its Spy Glasses for observing the sun & starrs which if you please to send by the first opportunity Directed to Mess:rs Rigby & Pratter [fol. 228] the South sea Companys Agents at Jamaica, who will forward it to me at Carthagen, whatever it’s Cost is, shall be pay’d to you in London, by my order. I have settled a Correspondence at st:a fec with the Padre Guardian of the francis: cans a very ingenious man & somewhats of a Virtuoso who has promised me every thing Curious wch that Countrey affords & which I shall transmit to you as soon as come to hand. I beg you would use your Interest, with the Court of Directors for the enlargeing my sallary or my advancement in their service, for it is throughing away my time to serve for my present sallary, Indeed I am deceived in the Place as well as they, I did imagine there might be Considerably to be gott by my practice; but there is no such thing, for this Town has never gott over the losses it sustain’d when the french took it 25 year ago & ever since has gone to decay; so that at present it seems to be the ruins of a Good City; there is not ten men in the town worth 10000 p 8/8 a man, it cheifly Consisting of Mulattos Negros & Indians all the Substantiall Merchants haveing forsaken the place. The Consideration of the Court of Directors at the first Establishment, of the ffactory’s in giveing their surgeon the least sallary’s was because they did Imagine they might gett a great deal of money by their Practice, which is quite otherways; & if they would please Consider that the trouble of a surgeon or Physitian in Looking after their Negros faithfully is much Greater than any of the other ffactors here, & if they would Consider further; that the diligent discharge of a Physitians duty may save the life of seven or eight slaves in each Cargo which otherways might die, & that being saved or lost farr exceeds his sallary, However I beg pardon for giveing you this trouble & leave it to your prudent discretion the representing it in a proper manner to such of the Court as you are acquainted with. I beg the favour of hearing from you by all occasion of Jamaica vessells Directed for me to the Care of Mr Pratter Mercht in Jamaica who will forward them to him who is Sr your much obliged & Most obed:t Servt Jo:n Burnet Carthagena April 6th 1722 N:B: The things for you will come directed to Mr Westcomb Secretary to the South sea Company
Read more- Letter 2569