414 Biographical Sketch of [JuNE, 
to New Orleans, where you will see some small cabinets of natural 
history that may interest you. But as [ presume it is your intention 
to prosecute your inquiries into the interior of our country, this 
cannot be done better than from my house as your head quarters, 
where every thing will be made convenient to your wishes. My 
house stands literally in the forest, and your beautiful orioles, with 
other elegant birds, are our court-yard companions. 
‘* The bearer attends you with a couple of horses, on the suppo- 
sition that it may be convenient for you to visit us to-day; otherwise 
he will wait upon you any other day that you shall appoint. 
* J am respectfully, &c. 
 Wiriiam Dunsar.” 
This excellent Gentleman, whose hospitality was thus promptly 
excited, has since paid the debt of nature; and his grateful guest 
fondly cherished to the last hour of his existence the remembrance 
of those happy moments which were passed in his society, and that 
of his amiable and accomplished family. 
In September, 1812, Mr. Wilson set off to the eastward, to 
visit his subscribers. In a letter to the editor he writes,—** I coasted 
along the Connecticut river to a place called Haverhill, ten miles 
from the foot of Moose-hillock, one of the highest of the White 
Mountains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day 
in ascending to the peak of one of these majestic mountains, 
whence I had the most sublime and astonishing view that was ever 
afforded me. One immensity of forest lay below, extended on all 
sides to the furthest verge of the horizon; while the only prominent 
objects were the columns of smoke from burning woods, that rose 
from various parts of the earth beneath to the heavens; for the day 
was beautiful and serene.” 
This excursion was succeeded by rather an unpleasant occur- 
rence. The good people of Haverhill perceiving a stranger among 
them of very inquisitive habits, and who evinced great zeal in ex- 
ploring the country, sagaciously concluded that he was a spy from 
Canada, employed in taking sketches of the place, to facilitate the 
invasion of the enemy. Under these impressions it was thought 
conducive to the public safety that Mr. Wilson should be appre- 
hended ; and he was accordingly taken into the custody of a magis- 
trate, who, on being made acquainted with his character, and the 
nature of his visit, politely dismissed him, with many apologies for 
the mistake. 
The publication of the Ornithology now progressed as rapidly as 
a due regard to correctness and elegance would permit. In order 
to become better acquainted with the feathered tribes, and to ob- 
serve their migrations with more accuracy, as well as to enjoy the 
important advantages of a rural retirement, Mr. Wilson resided the 
better part of the years 1811-12 at the botanic garden of his friend, 
Mr. Bartram. There, removed from the noise, bustle, and inter- 
ruption, of the metropolis, he was enabled to dispose of his time 
a Se 
ee 
