Travels to Oaxaca

Written in 1776, 'Travels to Oaxaca' by Nicolas-Joseph Thiéry de Menonville recounts the adventurous journey of a French botanist who schemes to steal cochineal insects from Spanish Mexico to cultivate them in the French Caribbean. Under the pretense of seeking a botanical cure for gout, he navigates through various challenges, including the confiscation of his passport and a daring escape from Vera Cruz. This narrative highlights themes of botanical exploration and colonial ambition, making it a notable account of early scientific endeavors in the New World.