DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLL^. O 



the character of the soil, and of the plants, birds, mammals, and 

 fishes seen on the expedition. The report of this journej', to- 

 gether with most of the collections made thereon, were forwarded 

 to England, where they met with high praise from the people 

 and king. 



\\'illiam was much taken with the Floridas, and with the 

 assistance of his father established himself as an indigo planter 

 on the St. John's River. But this business venture also ended 

 disasterously, and a year later we find him at work on a farm 

 near his father's home. 



Collinson, who had always taken a keen interest in the boy, 

 now wrote that the Duchess of Portland, " a great virtuoso in 

 shells and all marine productions," had just dined at his house 

 and been greatly impressed with some of William's drawings. 

 She accordingly forwarded twenty guineas and a list of objects 

 which she wished him to draw for her. Dr. Fothergill, a 

 wealthy Quaker naturalist of England, and a great friend of 

 John Bartram, now began to send him orders for drawings of 

 shells, turtles, terrapin, and other natural objects. His interest 

 and patronage extended even further than this, for he fairly 

 launched William on his career as a full-fledged naturalist. In 

 1772 he began explorations in Carolina, Georgia and Florida, 

 and for about five years the expenses of these journeys were 

 borne by Dr. Fothergill. Young Bartram, however, turned 

 over to his patron all drawings and collections made on these 

 expeditions. 



In 1791 he published his piincipal book, entitled, "Travels 

 through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West 

 Florida, the Cherokee Country, the extensive Territories of the 

 Muscogueges or Creek Confederacy and the Country of the 

 Choctaws." 



These southern Indians seem to have aroused a warm and 

 kindly interest in the gentle naturalist. In his charming 

 journal he treats in much detail of their manners and customs. 

 He found them to be for the most part intelligent and hospit- 

 able, and he was convinced that their worst faults came through 

 contact with the W'hites. This book of William Bartram' s 

 southern travels is rich in interest and graphic in its literary 



