Duden sailed for Baltimore May 30, 1824
Student demonstrations, by the Burschenschaft, at the Universities, and the assassination of Kotzebue, a German writer who served the Russian tsar, by Karl Sand, alarmed the German government. The outcome was the Karlsbad decrees issued August of 1819. By that time, Gottfried Duden had decided his mission in life was to move to the young United States, where had purchased land in what was to become Missouri. He wanted to help his fellow countrymen, and felt that the answer lay in the far western frontier being settled by pioneers like Daniel Boone. His research and planning though was plagued, and when the companion he had planned on helping him died in South America, he suffered a setback.
So in 1822, Gottfried Duden published Concerning the Significant Differences of the States and the ambitions of Human Nature, thinking the answer lay in emigration to the United States. Continuing to work towards his goal, he was introduced to an agriculturalist named Ludwig Eversmann in Bonn. The young man had just suffered a blow, when his marriage proposal had been rejected, so his brother had introduced him to Duden in late February of 1824. Yes, he agreed to accompany Duden to the United States, and help establish a farm there. Accompanying Eversmann and Duden, was Duden’s servant and cook, Gertrude, each in their own first class cabin on the Henry Clay. They arrived in Baltimore on August 14, 1824 and traveled on to St. Louis, which by then was the State of Missouri.
In Germany, the conditions continued to grow worse. Overpopulation and crop failures were causing famine. Life was without promise, and thousands were desperate for things to change. Conspiracy against the government, and ruined revolutions, led to even greater taxes and impositions. Those who had worked to make a change, were constantly watched. Many were jailed or fled for their life. Those involved, such as Karl Follen, left in the middle of the night without being able to say good-by to their families. Life was extremely difficult and many wanted to escape. But where? Duden had found his motivation in the rising revolution and desperate times his countrymen suffered.
