Linnaeus is sorry to disturb Cadwallader Colden with another letter. Linnaeus has recently received from his friend Johan Frederik Gronovius a letter with plants growing wild in Coldengham in the province of New York [Johan Frederik Gronovius to Linnaeus, 17 October 1743{L0510}]. They are well and beautifully described in 1742 together with an appendix containing 239 items. Linnaeus has read all this a thousand times, and every time he is filled with wonder that there can exist a human being in America who can achieve such things! Linnaeus comments on some plants, e.g. Collinsonia, Alsine (described in Paul Hermann’s
Paradisus Batavus, 2nd ed., Cephalanthus, Diervilla, Rumex etc.
In all Colden’s descriptions, Linnaeus finds something new and unique. If Colden would be as kind as to send dried plants to Linnaeus, he will publish them in Colden’s name and add descriptions which will make them glorious for ever [Linnaeus here refers to the forthcoming catalogued collection of plants
brought together, as mentioned above, in the surroundings of Colden’s country seat, Coldengham, and communicated to Linnaeus, who published them under the title “Plantae Coldenhamiae"].
In his love for botany, Colden is probably willing to do so; some plants are of special interest: Collinsonia, Bartsia, Dalea, Claytonia. If Colden sends seeds with clergyman Johan Sandin
in Pennsylvania, they will arrive safely.
Linnaeus is enclosing a dissertation on new genera of plants. There Colden will see how much he is appreciated by Linnaeus[Linnaeus refers to Nova plantarum genera, quae [...] praesidie [...] Carolo Linnaeo; on the page, following p. 32, is added: Corollarium continens Nova is morbis specifica dicta medicamenta, ex Tr. De Plantis Coldinghamensibus in Provincia Noveboracensi Americes consacr. 1742 [manu propria exarato] a Codwald Colden]. He will also find that a new genus is now named after him and that his scientific observations are mentioned in the appendix.