332. Biographical Sketch of [May, 
libel, sentenced to a short imprisonment, and to bura, with his 
own hands, the piece at the public cross in the town of Paisley. 
The: printer, it is said, was likewise fined for his share in the publi- 
cation. 
In the year 1792 Mr. Wilson wrote his characteristic tale entitled 
Watty-and Meg. This little poem was published anonymously ; and 
possessing considerable merit, was by many attributed to Burns. It 
has obtained more popularity in Scotland than any of the minor 
essays of our author; and has been ranked with the best produc- 
tions of the Scottish muse. 
He now began to be dissatisfied with his lot. He was poor, and. 
saw no prospect of bettering his condition in his native country ; 
and having heard flattering accounts of America, he conceived the 
design of forsaking the land of his forefathers, and settling in the: 
United States. With this intention he arranged his affairs; set out 
for Belfast, in Ireland; engaged his passage in the ship Swift, of 
New York, Capt. Steel, bound to Philadelphia; and arrived at’ 
Newcastle, in the state of Delaware, on July:14, 1794, 
We now behold Alexander Wilson-in a strange land; without an 
acquaintance on whose counsels and hospitality he could rely in that 
state of uncertainty, to which, having no specific object in. view, 
he was of course subjected; without a single letter of introduction 5 
and with only a few shillings in his pocket. But every care was 
forgotten in his transport at finding himself in the land of freedom. 
He had often cast a wishful look towards the western hemisphere, 
and'his warm fancy had suggested the idea that amongst that people 
only who maintained the doctrine of an equality of rights could 
political justice and happiness be found. He had become indignant 
at beholding the influence of the wealthy converted into the means 
of oppression ; and had imputed the wrongs and sufferings of the 
poor, not to the condition of society, but to the nature and consti- 
tution of the government.* He was now free ; and exulted in his 
release, as a bird-rejoices which escapes from the confinement of 
the cage. Impatient to set his foot on the soil of the New World, 
he landed at Newcastle; and shouldering his fowling-piece, directed 
his route towards Philadelphia, distant about 33 miles. The writer: 
of this biography has a distinct recollection of a conversation with 
Mr. Wilsdh on this part of his history, wherein he deseribed, his 
sensations on viewing the first bird that presented itself as he en~ 
tered the forests of Delaware. It was a red-headed woodpeeker, 
which he shot, and considered the most beautiful bird he had ever 
beheld. 
On his. arrival at Philadelphia he reflected on the most eligible 
mode of obtaining a livelihood, to which the state of his funds urged 
immediate attention. He made himself known to Mr. Jobn Aitkin, 
_a copper-plate printer, who on learning his situation gave him em- 
% Tdo not know who the auther of this life is, though, from various, expres, 
sions, it is probable that he is a Scotchman,—T. ; 
