The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Title Giambattista Scandella. Series I Journals, No. 3
Author Scandella, Giambattista
Date 16 Sep-4 Nov 1797
Document Type Personal Account
Reference MSS 101, Series 1, Folder 3
Library / Archive Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Collection Name Giambattista Scandella Papers, 1787-1798
Description Written whilst travelling through Virginia. Mentions his observations on the American political and legal system, difficulties on his journey, religious prejudice (comparing America with England), meeting other Italians who have settled in Virginia, observations on slavery, land prices, the Virginia militia, American nationalism, and meetings and discussions with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Includes a summary of research on the different American states, notes copied out from a reference book regarding gases, and quotations regarding doctors. Some passages are in English.
Series Description The collection includes a diary and commonplace books containing impressions of America, and medical case records. Journal and commonplace books are both rich in detailed observations about the United States at the end of the 18th century. Scandella's comments touch on a broad range of topics, such as Quakers, race relations, U.S. political culture and system, physical features of the land, Americans' character, and U.S. foreign relations. His notes also discuss a number of prominent Americans he met or befriended, including Washington, Jefferson, and Benjamin Latrobe. Journals and commonplace books include a few American newspaper clippings, which lack citations. The commonplace books also include small drawings of things he observed, such as farm equipment or dams, as well as margin doodles.
Biographical Note / History Scandella was born in Italy and was educated as a physician. He came to America c.1796 and settled in Philadelphia in 1797.
Theme(s) Politics, Legislation and Governance; Onward Travel; Journey Conditions
Places Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Richmond, Virginia,Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Nationality Italian; American; English; American Indians; German
People Hamilton, Alexander; Jefferson, Thomas; Washington, President George
Keywords weather, law, politics, slavery, industry, agriculture, native peoples, land sale, religion, science, colonialism, tax
Additional Information Please note: Some of the metadata for this document has been taken from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania catalogue.
Language Italian; English
Copyright Historical Society of Pennsylvania