LIFE OF AVILSON. xlvii 



was either so scandalized at the informal application of our ornithologist, or 

 so occupied in the great concerns of his exalted station, that no answer was 

 returned to the overture ; and the cause of the supposed contemptuous ne- 

 glect, neither Wilson nor Bartram could ever ascertain. 



Whatever might have heen the views of the president, who unquestionably 

 bore an effective part in scheming and encouraging the expeditions commanded 

 by Lewis and Clark, and Pike, there can be but one opinion on the insuffi- 

 ciency of that plan of discovery which does not embrace the co-operation of 

 men of letters and science : those whose knowledge will teach them to select 

 what is valuable, and whose learning will enable them to digest it for the 

 advantage of others. We would not draw an invidious comparison between 

 the expeditions above-mentioned, and those under the command of Major 

 Long ; but we will rest in the hope that, as the government noio appears to 

 be sensible of the beneficial effects resulting from a liberal and enlightened 

 policy, it will continue to. foster that spirit of enterprise which distinguishes 

 some of our citizens; and which, if properly directed, will redound to the 

 honor and glory of our country. 



To Mr. AVilliam Duncan. 



" Gray's Ferrv, February 26th, 1806. 



" Notwithstanding the great esteem I have for your judgment, in prefer- 

 ence, many times, to my own, yet I believe we are both wrong in the proposed 

 affair of Saturday week. I have not the smallest ambition of being considered 

 an orator; and would it not, by some, be construed into vanity, or something 

 worse, for me to go all the way from this place to deliver a political lecture 

 at Milestown? Politics has begot me so many enemies, both in the old and 

 new world, and has done me so little good, that I begin to think the less 

 you and I harangue on that subject the better. I do not say this from any 

 doubt I have of being able to say something on the subject, but much question 

 the policy and prudence of it. If you and I attend punctually to the duties 

 of our profession, and make our business our pleasure; and the improvement 

 of our pupils, with their good government, our chief aim ; honor, and re- 

 spectability, and success will assuredly attend us, even if we never open our 

 lips on politics. 



" These have been some of my reflections since we parted. I hope you 

 will weigh them in your own mind, and acquiesce in my resolution of not inter- 

 fering in the debate on Saturday, as we talked of. At the same time I am 

 really pleased to see the improvement the practice has produced in you ; and 

 would by no means wish to dissuade you from amusing and exercising your 

 mind in this manner; because I know that your moderation in sentiment and 

 conduct will always preserve you from ill will on any of these scores. But 

 as it could add nothing to my fime, and as they have all heard me, often 

 enough, on different subjects, about Milestown ; and as it would raise no new 

 friends to you, but might open old sores in some of your present fiiends, I 

 hope you will agree with me that it will be prudent to decline the affair. 

 And as you have never heard me deliver any of my own compositions in this 



