^°1908^^] Deane, Audubon Letters of Introduction. 17 1 



In testimony whereof I, Daniel Webster/ Secretary of State of 

 the United States, have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal 

 of this department to be affixed at the City of Washington, this the 

 24th day of July, A. D. 1842. 



II. 



Washington, 24 July, 1842. 



The bearer of this note is Mr. Audubon well known in the world 

 as a very distinguished naturalist who has contributed largely to the 

 amusement and instruction of those who take pleasure in his inter- 

 esting pursuits, by his publications. 



I understand that Mr. Audubon proposes visiting the western 

 part of this great continent and possibly those regions where the 

 British fur trade companies pursue their adventures. 



Although the known kindness and hospitality of the managers 

 of these companies render any recommendation or introduction of a 

 gentleman so distinguished wholely useless, I beg to add my testi- 

 mony of his great merit and of his deserving in every respect all 

 assistance and support that may be given him, as well as for his 

 own sake and for the sake of that science which he is so well qualified 

 to improve and promote. I believe I may add that Mr. Audubon 

 has no other motive whatever for his excursion but the pursuit to 

 which I have alluded. 



ASHBURTON.^ 



III. 



Head Quarters of the Army, 

 Washington, July 25th, 1842. 

 To the Officers of the 

 United States Army, 



Gentlemen, 

 This letter may be exhibited to some of you on the remote fron- 

 tiers. Its object is to bespeak your kind aid and assistance in 



1 Secretary of State, 1841-43 and 1850-52. Born Jan. 18, 1782, died Oct. 24, 

 1862. A warm personal friend of Audubon, who aided him in many ways and was 

 a subscriber to the foho edition of his ' Birds of America.' 



2 Lord Alexander Baring Ashburton, born 1774, died May, 1848. An English 

 financier and diplomatist. Sent to the United States in 1841 on a special commission 

 on the subject of a long disputed boundary between Maine and the British Colonies. 

 Daniel Webster praised him highly as a good man to deal with, who could see that 

 there were two sides to a question. 



