Burns — On Alexander Wilson. 177 



nionality; therefore inconsistant with our repubhcan institu- 

 tions." By the same mode of reasoning which he did not 

 dispute, Wilson "undertook to prove him a greater culprit, 

 in erecting a large, elegant, three story brick house, so much 

 be3-ond the reach of the commonality, as he called them, and 

 consequently grossly contrary to our republican institutions." 

 From Hanover he crossed the North mountains at Newman's 

 Gap and arrived at Chambersburg. The next morning he 

 doubled on his track, almost, to visit Dickinson College at 

 Carlisle, and returned via Shippensburgh, departed by stage 

 from Chambersburg on the 11th of February; the last two 

 towns producing him nothing. Ascending the Allegheny 

 mountains, passing through Somerset and Greensburg, he ar- 

 rived at Pittsburg on the 15th. On February 23nd began that 

 romantic voyage in the wilderness, fraught with so much 

 hazard and hardship. Procuring a skiff which he named the 

 Ornithologist, he rowed down the Ohio 720 miles, putting up 

 at the shore wherever curiosity impelled or storm compelled ; 

 composing the "Pilgrim," and complaining little because the 

 rifle, ax and plough were in greater demand on the frontier 

 than the book. 



The great number of flat and hoiise boats loaded with merch- 

 andise descending the great Ohio and its tributaries, prevented 

 him from being lonely, and at Steubenville and Wheeling he 

 found some friends. While at Marietta he visited the cele- 

 brated prehistoric Indian mounds on the banks of the Muskin- 

 gum, ascending that slream seventy miles to Big Bone creek 

 and attempted a little excavating for relics on his own hook. 

 Blannerhasset's island, but recently a place of national conse- 

 quence, was passed in the night. Gallipolis, the mouths of 

 the Sandy and Sciota rivers were successively left behind ; the 

 last being where the first flock of Carolina Paroquets were 

 encountered, also' a violent storm of wind and rain. The savage 

 grandeur and picturesque scenery of the river, winding through 

 forest-clad hills and an immense country, impressed him 

 greatly. At Salt Lick he was curious' to learn of further finds 

 of fossil remains. He arrived at Cincinnati and Newport by 



