362 Stone, Letters of Alexander Wilson and John Abbot. [ocf 



Number two is to his publishers, Mess. Bradford and Inskeep, 

 written while he was canvassing for the Cyclopaedia and the 

 Ornithology, and incidentally contains some remarks of historic 

 interest. Number three is to Abbot and contains more ornithol- 

 ogy than probably any letter of Wilson that is extant. 



Number four is from Abbot to Ord when the latter was engaged 

 in completing Wilson's unfinished work. 



I. Wilson to Bartram. 



Philad a May 22 d , 1807 

 Dear Sir 



With this you will receive V. 4 part 1st. of the Am. Cyclopaedia. 

 It would have been sent a week ago but for want of an opportunity. 



By the impressions of my two first plates that accompany this 

 you will see that I have a request to make to Miss Bartram if the 

 state of her health will permit. We want well coloured specimens 

 of the plates to be sent to Boston, Charleston, New York &c. and 

 as my time will not permit me to do them myself I have pre- 

 sumed to apply to her to colour the impressions that are sent 

 with this, according to the specimens that accompany them, for 

 which 1 shall make any return. Perhaps Mary Leech might be 

 set to some parts of them with safety which would lessen the 

 drudgery. 



If this request should be considered as disagreeable you will 

 not I am sure impute it to any motives but those of the highest 

 esteem for those to whom I make it, and the impressions may be 

 returned tomorrow by any safe conveyance with perfect good 

 nature on both sides. 



In washing the blue Jay the most difficult part of the process is 

 to lay on the colour without being streaked (which you will see 

 I have not succeeded in) and in giving the true tint which I think 

 is nearly approached in the specimen. Nothing but a wash is 

 necessary as the engraving must be seen thro the colour. 



But you know the whole affair ten times better than I can pretend 

 to and as I shall be engaged in Drawing on Sunday I beg you would 

 drop me a line tomorrow by Mr. Leech. 



