342 Biographical Sketch of Alexander Wilson. {[May, 
consideration his advanced age, being near 70, and the weakness of 
his eye-sight ; and apprehensive of his inability to encounter the 
fatigues and deprivations unavoidable in so extensive a tour; having, 
to my extreme regret, and the real loss of science, been induced to 
decline the journey; I had reluctantly abandoned the enterprise, 
and all hopes of accomplishing my purpose ; till hearing that your 
Excellency had it in contemplation to send travellers this ensuing 
summer up the Red River, the Arkansaw, and other tributary 
streams of the Mississippi; and believing that my services might be 
of advantage to some of these parties, in promoting your Excel- 
lency’s design; while the best opportunities would be afforded me 
of procuring subjects for the work which I have so much at heart. 
Under these impressions I beg leave to offer myself for any of these 
expeditions, and can be ready at a short notice to attend your Ex- 
cellency’s orders. 
«* Accustomed to the hardships of travelling, without a family, 
and an enthusiast in the pursuit of natural history, I will devote my 
whole powers to merit your Excellency’s approbation, and ardently 
wish for an opportunity of testifying the sincerity of my professions, 
and the deep veneration with which I have the honour to be, 
‘¢ Sir, your obedient servant, 
“ Kingsess, Feb. 6, 1806. ‘© Avex. WILson.” * 
Mr. Jefferson had in his port-folio decisive proofs of Mr. Wilson’s 
talents as an ornithologist, the latter having some time before trans- 
mitted to his Excellency some splendid drawings of nondescript 
birds, accompanied with scientific descriptions. Yet with these 
evidences before him, backed by the recommendation of a discern- 
ing and experienced naturalist, so little did Mr. Jefferson regard 
the pretensions of genius, and the interests of science; so un- 
mindful was he of the duties of his exalted station, or the common 
civilities which obtain amongst people of breeding and refinement ; 
that so far from accepting the services of our accomplished ornitho- 
logist, he did not even deign to reply to his respectful overture 5 
and Wilson, mortified at the cold, contemptuous neglect, locked 
up his feelings in his breast, not even permitting a sigh to reach 
the ear of his most intimate friends. This treatment he did not 
expect from one whom his ardent fancy had invested with every 
excellence, who had been the object of his cncomiums, and the 
theme of his songs: 
‘© Omne ignotum pro magnifico,” 
* Mr. Wilson was particalarly anxious to accompany Pike, who commenced 
bis journey from the cantonment on the Missouri, for the sources of the Arkansaw, 
&c. on the 15th July, 1806. 
(To be continued.) 
