When I embraced you for the last time in Helvetius Street, in Paris, on
the eve of my departure for Africa and the East Indies, I had but a
feeble hope of seeing you again, and of sailing under your orders. You
have been told, no doubt, by our common friends, C. C. Jussieu,
Desfontaines ... how the Barbaresques have prevented my departure for
Egypt, how the King of Spain has given me permission to journey over his
vast domains in America and Asia, to gather whatever may be useful to
science. Independently, and always at my own expense, my friend Bonpland
and I have wandered for two years through the territories lying between
the coast, the Orinoco, the Casiquian, the Rio Negro, and the Amazon.
Our health has resisted the frightful risks created by the rivers. In
the midst of the forests we have talked of you; of our useless visits;
on C. Francois, of Neufchatel; of our beguiled hopes. Just as we were
starting from Havana for Mexico and the Philippines, the gratifying news
reached us that your perseverance had overcome every obstacle. After
making our calculations, we felt sure that you would touch at
Valparaiso, at Lima, or at Guayaquil. We changed our plans at once, and
in spite of the stormy gales of this shore, we started in a little pilot
boat to look for you in the South Sea, to try whether by reviving up our
old plans, we could join our labors with yours, and sail with you on the
South Sea. A long passage of twenty-one days from the Havana to
Carthagena, unfortunately hindered us from taking the route of Panama
and Guayaquil. We fear that the wind has ceased blowing in the South
Sea, and we have decided to continue our journey on land by the way of
the River Magdalena, Santa Fe, Popajan, Quito....
I hope we shall arrive in June or early in July at the city of Quito,
where I will wait for the news of your arrival at Lima. Have the
kindness to write me a line, directed in Spanish, “al Sr. Baron de
Humboldt, Quito; casa del Sr. Governador Baron de Carondelet.” In case I
should hear nothing from you, my respected friend, I intend to visit
Chimborasso, Losca, ... till November, 1801, and to come down in
December or January, 1802, with my instruments, to Lima. You will
perceive from all this, my revered friend, that the heat of the tropics
has not made me sluggish, and that I am afraid of no sacrifice where
useful and bold enterprises are to be prosecuted. I have told you now
frankly what I want from you. I know that I ask more from you than I can
return; it may also be that particular circumstances may prevent your
taking us on board of your vessel.... In that case, my letter may
embarrass you, the more, perhaps, since you honor me with your
friendship. I beg you, therefore, to write to me frankly. I shall always
be glad to have seen you once more, and shall never complain of
circumstances, which often govern us in spite of ourselves and our
wishes. Your frankness will be the highest proof of your regard for me.
I should then continue on my route from Lima to Acapulco, Mexico, the
Philippines, Surato, Bassora, Palestine, Marseilles. How much I should
prefer, however, to make a voyage with you! Mr. Bonpland presents you
his respects.
Greetings and unchangeable friendship,
ALEXANDER HUMBOLDT.
NOTE OF HUMBOLDT, WRITTEN LONG AFTER.—This letter to Captain Baudin,
written on my arrival at Carthagena (from the Havana), was returned
to me, Captain Baudin not having touched at Lima.