“Memória sobre as Viagens Filosóficas”

An eighteenth century manuscript by the naturalist Manuel Galvão da Silva

Abstract

This is a transcription of the manuscript “Memory on the Philosophical Journeys”, by the Portuguese American naturalist Manuel Galvão da Silva (Bahia, 1750-?). In the introductory text, we analyze this document in conjunction with Galvão da Silva’s other texts, as well as the travelling instructions he received for an expedition to Bahia, Goa, and Mozambique, the latter being the place where it was written. We also discuss the possible date and the purpose for which it was written. The text allows us to conclude that one of the main concerns of the naturalist was the issue of health. Diseases were a constant in his journey as a traveler and, based on the decay of his health, he seeks to justify the meager results achieved in his researches.