Back in the mid-18th century, it was assumed that the animals and the vegetation in America only grew to a modest size and were much smaller than those found in Europe, due to the climate of the continent. This absurd idea was thanks to Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte (Count) de Buffon.
At this point, America had been flourishing for 200 years, perfectly long enough – in his eyes – to produce great and famous people. Yet, Benjamin Franklin was one of the only names that made it to Europe’s ears. Attempting to understand their strange "lack of success", Buffon hatched a theory – the environment was too swampy.
With Europe being such an international powerhouse, Buffon concluded that America was simply an inferior version of Europe. Plagued by swampish odors and dense forest, it was of course impossible that anything of good size and stature could arise from such conditions, and therefore both the people and the animals must be smaller.
Thomas Jefferson strongly disagreed over Buffon’s theory. He stated that he had seen moose that were taller than humans and were much larger than the English stag. Unfortunately, the Europeans did not believe him, as he did not have evidence to back up his claims. So Jefferson produced one.
Writing to John Sullivan of New Hampshire in 1786, Jefferson requested that he send the "skin, the skeleton, and the horns of the Moose, the Caribou, and the Orignal or Elk ... but most especially those of the moose" off to Paris. The animal was to be left in the skin, the horns attached to the head, and the belly and neck was to be sewn up. Certainly a strange request for anyone to receive, but Jefferson expressed that the package was of great importance, and Sullivan obliged.
Upon seeing the moose when it finally arrived in Paris, Buffon was impressed and eventually changed his view on the state of wildlife in America.
Thanks, Jefferson!
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)