Letter to M. Van Bur en. 395 



whose splendid work on American ornithology must of 

 course be well known to you. That work^ while it re- 

 flects such great credit on our country, and contributes so 

 largely to the advancement of one of the most delightful 

 departments of science, is likely, from the extreme ex- 

 pense attendant upon it, to repay but poorly the indefati 

 gable labor of a lifetime. The high price necessarily put 

 on the copies of Mr. Audubon's magnificent work places 

 it beyond the means of the generality of private individ- 

 uals. It is entitled therefore to the especial countenance 

 of our libraries and various other public institutions. It 

 appears to me, that the different departments in Washing- 

 ton ought each to have a copy deposited in their libraries 

 or archives. Should you be of the same opinion you 

 might be of great advantage in promoting such a meas- 

 ure." 



Reference is then made to the assistance rendered to 

 Audubon by the revenue cutters and public vessels, and 

 the letter continues : — 



" I trust similar facilities will still be extended to him ; 

 in fact, as his undertakings are of a decidedly national 

 character, and conducive of great national benefit, the 

 most liberal encouragement in every respect ought to be 

 shown to him on the part of our government. 

 I am, my dear Sir, 



Your attached Friend, 



Washington Irving." 

 " The Honorable Martin Van Bcren." 



" November 8. Called on Colonel Abert, who received 

 me with his wonted civility, promised to assist me in all 

 my desires, and walked with me to the President's, to pre- 

 sent my letters. There we found Colonel Donaldson and 

 Mr. Earle, both nephews, I believe, of General Jackson, 

 and in a moment I was in the presence of this famed 



