LIFE OF WILSON. CV 



spective view of the town of Pittsburg at this season, with the 

 numerous arks and covered keel-boats preparing to descend 

 the Ohio; its hills, its great rivers the pillars of smoke rising 

 from its furnaces and glass-works would make a noble picture. 

 I began a very diligent search in this place, the day after my 

 arrival, for subscribers, and continued it for four days. I suc- 

 ceeded beyond expectation, having got nineteen names of the 

 most wealthy and respectable part of the inhabitants. The in- 

 dustry of Pittsburg is remarkable; every body you see is busy; 

 and as a proof of the prosperity of the place, an eminent law- 

 yer told me that there has not been one suit instituted against 



a merchant of the town these three years. 



# # # .# 



" Gentlemen here assure me that the road to Chilicothe is 

 impassable on foot by reason of the freshes. I have therefore 

 resolved to navigate myself a small skiff, which I have bought, 

 and named the ORNITHOLOGIST, down to Cincinnati, a distance 

 of five hundred and twenty-eight miles; intending to visit five 

 or six towns that lie in my way. From Cincinnati I will 

 cross over to the opposite shore, and, abandoning my boat, 

 make my way to Lexington, where I expect to be ere your 

 letter can reach that place. Were I to go by Chilicothe, I 

 should miss five towns, as large as it. Some say that I ought 

 not to attempt going down by myself others think I may. 

 I am determined to make the experiment, the expense of 

 hiring a rower being considerable. As soon as the ice clears 

 out of the Alleghany, and the weather will permit, I shall 

 shove off, having every thing in readiness. I have ransacked 

 the woods and fields here without finding a single bird new to 

 me, or indeed any thing but a few snow-birds and sparrows. 

 I expect to have something interesting to communicate in my 



next. 



* -# * * 



" My friends will please accept through you my best wishes 

 and kindest respects; and I regret that while the grand specta- 

 cle of mountains, regions of expanded forests, glittering towns r 



VOL. i. o 



