THIRD AMERICAN TOUR 155 



For many years Audubon had expressed great con- 

 tempt for all seekers after priority in the naming of 

 new species of animals, but now he began to find the 

 pressure from without too strong to be resisted. Rivalry 

 in this field had become keen on both sides of the At- 

 lantic, and in the commendable desire to render his work 

 as complete as possible, he was inevitably drawn into a 

 struggle in which the higher aspirations of scientific men 

 are all too apt to be obscured by petty vanities, suspi- 

 cions and disputes. 



While at Philadelphia Audubon paid this fine trib- 

 ute to the ornithologist whom he had met at Louisville 

 twenty-six years before, and whose name had long been 

 a cover for the jealousies and animosities of suppositi- 

 tious friends : "Passed poor Alexander Wilson's school- 

 house, and heaved a sigh. Alas, poor Wilson! Would 

 that I could once more speak to thee, and listen to thy 

 voice ! 



Audubon was planning during the coming year to 

 explore the west coast of Florida, in company with his 

 son and Edward Harris, and to proceed as far as pos- 

 sible along the coast of Texas. From Philadelphia he 

 went to Baltimore, and on November 8 he arrived at 

 Washington. His steadfast friend and supporter, 

 Colonel John James Abert, then at the head of the 

 Topographical Bureau, took him to the White House 

 to call on President Andrew Jackson and present his 

 letters. The General, said Audubon, looked well and 

 was smoking a pipe ; after reading his letters attentively, 

 he said at once: "Mr. Audubon, I will do all in my 

 power to serve you, but the Seminole war, will, I fear, 

 prevent you from having a cutter; however, as we shall 

 have a committee at twelve o'clock, we will consider 

 this, and give you an answer tomorrow." Levi Wood- 



