EXPLORATIONS IN FLORIDA 23 



two men, thereupon engaged a boat and attempted to 

 return to St. Augustine across country, by a short cut 

 to the eastward. They were soon stranded and the party 

 divided. Audubon with his dog and one companion then 

 endeavored to make their way by land to the town, 

 eighteen miles distant, but they were overtaken by a 

 terrific gale and thunder-storm, and in order to keep to 

 the trails were often obliged to grope their way on hands 

 and knees. 16 



At about this time the publishers of the Journal of 

 Geology and Natural Science, from which we have 

 quoted, failed, and Featherstonhaugh, who assumed 

 their debts to all subscribers, was obliged to bring it to a 

 close with the completion of the first volume; Audu- 

 bon's third and last letter appeared in the valedictory 

 number for June, 1832. 



Again the naturalist applied to the government offi- 

 cials at Washington for assistance, and, as the following 

 letter shows, Edward Everett again came to his aid, as 

 did also Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy, to 

 whom Audubon later received a personal introduction 

 from Chief Justice Taney of the Supreme Court: 



Levi Woodbury to Louis McLane 



NAVY DEPARTMENT 



February % 1832 



SIR, 



The letter of the Honorable Mr. Everett of the 18 th. inst. 

 relating to Mr. Audubon &c and referred by you to this De- 

 partment, has been received. 



I regret that the impaired condition of the Spark made it 

 necessary some weeks ago, to order that vessel to Norfolk to 

 be refitted. 



M See "St. John's River in Florida," Ornithological Biography, vol. 

 ii, p. 291. 



