242 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



the rich collections made by the United States Explor- 

 ing Expedition to the Antarctic, under command of 

 Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, then stored at the Patent 

 Office and National Institute, but nothing came of it 

 and Baird went away disappointed. 



During the summer, in accordance with his usual 

 custom, Audubon had taken pains to fortify himself 

 with credentials from the Government, and had obtained 

 excellent letters from President John Tyler, Daniel 

 Webster, Secretary of State, General Winfield Scott, 

 who then held the highest commission in the Army, John 

 C. Spencer, Secretary of War, and Lord Ashburton, a 

 member of a special commission to settle the disputed 

 boundary between Maine and the British provinces. The 

 letters given him by Daniel Webster and President 

 Tyler were as follows : x 



Daniel Webster to Whom it May Concern 



United States of America, 



Department of State. 



To ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING. 



Know Ye, that the bearer hereof, John James Audubon, a 

 distinguished naturalist and native citizen of the United States, 

 has made known to me his intention of travelling on the con- 

 tinent with the view principally of aiding the cause of science 

 by extending his researches and explorations in natural history, 

 and as he is known to me to be a man of character and honor 

 and worthy of all friendly offices and of all personal regard, 

 these are therefore to request all whom it may concern, to 

 permit him to pass freely, without let or molestation, and to 

 extend to him all such aid and protection as he may need, and 

 which becomes the hospitality of civilized and friendly nations. 



In testimony whereof I, Daniel Webster, Secretary of State 

 of the United States, have hereunto set my hand and caused 



*See Ruthven Deane (Bibl. No. 224) ? The Auk, vol. xxv (1908). 



