xviii LIFE OF WILSON. 



with a diligence and economy almost surpassing belief; the 

 whole of his expenses during this period amounting to less than 

 one shilling per week. 



All matters being finally arranged, he set out on foot for 

 Port Patrick, whence he embarked for Ireland. On reaching 

 Belfast it was found that the ship had her complement of pas- 

 sengers; but, rather than remain, after so much exertion, Wil- 

 son and his companion consented to sleep upon deck, and, con- 

 sequently, they were permitted to depart in the ship, which 

 sailed about the middle of May, and arrived at Newcastle, in 

 the state of Delaware, on the fourteenth of July, 1794. 



We now behold Alexander Wilson in a strange land; with- 

 out an acquaintance on whose counsels and hospitality he could 

 rely in that state of uncertainty to which, having no particular 

 object in view, he was of course subjected; without a single 

 letter of introduction; and with not a shilling in his pocket* 

 But every care was forgotten in his transport at finding him- 

 self in the land of freedom. He had often cast a wishful look 

 towards the western hemisphere, and his warm fancy had sug- 

 gested the idea, that among that people only, who maintained 

 the doctrine of an equality of rights, could political justice be 

 found. He had become indignant at beholding the influence 

 of the wealthy converted into the means of oppression ; and had 

 imputed the wrongs and sufferings of the poor, not to the con- 

 dition of society, but to the nature and constitution of the go- 

 vernment. He was now free; and exulted in his release, as a 

 bird rejoices which escapes from the confinement of the cage. 

 Impatient to set his foot upon the soil of the New World, he 

 landed at the town of Newcastle; and, shouldering his fowling- 

 piece, he directed his steps towards Philadelphia, distant about 

 thirty-three miles. The writer of this biography has a distinct 

 recollection of a conversation with Wilson on this part of his 



* This is literally true. The money which bore his expenses from New- 

 castle to Philadelphia was borrowed of a fellow passenger. The same gene- 

 rous friend, whose name was Oliver, made him subsequently a loan of cash 

 to enable him to travel into Virginia. 



