June 3rd, 1823 - London & Liverpool

Left Charing Cross by coach for Liverpool. Morning very pleasant; had rained through the night, country very fine for seventeen miles from the metropolis. Beautiful fields at Woburn Abbey tastefully laid out and divided by hedgerows in which are planted Horse-chestnuts at regular distances, all in full flower; had a very imposing appearance.

Northampton at 2.30 o'clock pm, rested 25 minutes; reached Lancaster quarter to 10pm, [still on the 3^rd, presumably] took supper, started again half past 10, rain during the night, very cold. arrived at Liverpool 4 o'clock afternoon [presumably on June 4th].

There is something very odd about this journey, as he describes it. The journey time from London to Northampton is OK but then he describes the next stop as Lancaster, which is about 60 miles NORTH of Liverpool. Why would the coach go so far north only to have to return south again? And then why would it take so long, from 10.30pm to 4pm the following day to do only 60 miles from Lancaster to Liverpool? I think "Lancaster" is a transcription error when the Journal was published. I wondered whether it should be Manchester, but that is even closer to Liverpool than Lancaster. On reflection, I think Lancaster is actually Doncaster, on the Great North Road and a well-known coaching destination. The necessity to then cross the Pennines overnight would explain why it took so long to reach Liverpool. Even in midsummer, which this was (close to the solstice), this would be a difficult journey.

After calling on Messrs Monal & Woodward [shipping agents in Liverpool?] and learning that the Ann Maria of New York was to sail the following morning, in which a passage had been taken for me, I arranged my business as to my departure and made for Botanic Garden. [An interesting phrase - “A passage had been taken for me”. Presumably this was paid for by the Horticultural Society, along with the journey to Liverpool. There may perhaps be records of the transaction in the Minute Books and Accounts of the RHS]

Mr Shepherd received me in the most handsome manner; showed me all his treasures (of which not a few were from North America). The plants in the hot-houses look well. After spending a little time with Mr Shepherd and returning thanks, I made my way for town again. I had an interview with Capt Tair, who commands the Ann Maria: he informed me that he intended to sail the following morning [ie the 5^th. Douglas has crammed a lot into his only afternoon in Liverpool, not arriving until 4pm, dashing about to the Botanic Garden and back to the docks. Where did he stay overnight before sailing?  Are there any images or records of the Ann Maria?  Are there any images of the Liverpool Botanic Garden in 1823?].