American Philosophical Society Museum

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Dialogues with Darwin: An Exhibition of Historical Documents and Contemporary Art

From Darwin's Journeys: The Making of a Naturalist

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Darwin to Whitley, 9 Sept. 1831

In this letter to his college friend Charles Whitley, Darwin was bursting with excitement because he had just learned he would be going on a five-year voyage around the world. The letter reflects his youthful naiveté at the news. He wrote: “I ordered a Rifle & 2 pair of pistols; for we shall have plenty of fighting with those d--- Cannibals: It would be something to shoot the King of the Cannibals.”

Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Letter to Charles Whitley, September 9, 1831.

Read the transcript of this letter.

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