DEBUT AS A NATURALIST 339 



Audubon to Thomas Sully 



My reception in New York has surpassed my hopes. I 

 have been most kindly [received], and had I seen Col. Trumball, 

 I would have found him the gentleman you represented, but his 

 absence at Saratoga Springs has deprived me of that pleas- 

 ure. 



New York is now an immense city. Strangers are received 

 here with less reserve generally than at Philadelphia. I found 

 the Academy well supplied with paintings, and sculptures of the 

 Greek masters. The steam boats of the Sweet Ohio, with all 

 their swiftness of motion and beautiful forms, do not interest 

 the eye like those that are here tossing over the foaming bil- 

 lows with the grace of the wild swan. Were I a painter — ah 



could I, like , carry in my mind's eye all my mind feels 



when looking at the Battery at the moon's tender reflections on 

 the farthest sails, forcing the vessel they move with the very 

 wind's heart, — express as he does the quick moving tar hauling 

 in a reef at the yard's end, — and make on the canvas a noble 

 commander speak, as you have done ; then, my dear friend, I 

 could show you New York's harbor and all its beauties. . . . 



I cannot part with that Fair City [Philadelphia] this soon; 

 I cannot help thanking Fairman, Peale, Neagle, Le Sueur, and 

 many others besides Mc Murty for their attentions to me. 

 Should }'Ou see honest Quaker Haines, beg him to believe me 

 his friend ; should you see Mr. Ord, tell him I never was his 

 enemy. Think of me some time, and accept the truest best 

 wishes of 



John J. Audubon. 



I leave for Boston tomorrow. Should you please to write 

 to me, direct to Care of Messrs. Anshutz & Co, Pittsburgh, 

 where I shall be in about 40 days. 



The very next day Audubon changed his plans and 

 sailed up the Hudson to Albany, where he hoped to meet 

 De Witt Clinton, then at the height of his fame, who in 

 the course of his great undertakings had found time to 



