LIFE OF WILSON. Ixi 



solemn emphasis, his resolution of proceeding alone in the pub- 

 lication, if it should even cost him his life. " I shall at least 

 leave," continued he, "a small beacon to point out where I 

 perished.." 



TO MR. WM. BARTRAM. 



Jan. 27, 1806. 



" Being in town on Saturday, I took the opportunity of call- 

 ing on Mr. , who, in 1804, went down the Ohio, with 



one companion, in a small bateau. They sometimes proceed- 

 ed seventy miles in twenty-four hours, going often night and 

 day. They had an awning; and generally slept on board the 

 boat, without ever catching cold, or any inconvenience by 

 moschetoes, except when in the neighbourhood of swamps. 

 He describes the country as exceedingly beautiful. The object 

 of their journey being trade, they had neither gun nor fishing- 

 tackle; and paid little or no attention to natural objects. He 

 says the navigation of a bateau is perfectly easy, and attended 

 with no hazard whatever. One solitary adventurer passed 

 them in a small boat, going from Wheeling to New Orleans. 



" If, my dear friend, we should be so happy as to go toge- 

 ther, what would you think of laying our design before Mr. 

 Jefferson, with a view to procure his advice, and recommenda- 

 tion to influential characters in the route? Could we procure 

 his approbation and patronage, they would secure our success. 

 Perhaps he might suggest some improvements in our plan. Had 

 we a good companion, intimately acquainted with mineralogy, 

 who would submit to our economical plan of proceeding, it 

 would certainly enhance the value of the expedition. However, 

 this I have no hopes of. 



" I see, by the newspapers, that Mr. Jefferson designs to em- 

 ploy persons to explore the shores of the Mississippi the ensu- 

 ing summer: surely our exertions would promote his wishes. I 

 write these particulars that you may give them the considera- 

 tion they deserve; and will call upon you to deliberate further 

 on the affair. 



