90 AI^EXANDE^R WII<SON : POET-NATURALIST 



mission from you, before my departure from the 

 seat of Government for St. Louis in the Spring of 

 1805, generally to explore the borders of the Ter- 

 ritory of Louisiana I did project the expeditions 

 of Capt. Z. M. Pike to the Head of the Missis- 

 sippi; and after his return from the excursion, to 

 restore to the Nation a number of Osage Indians, 

 who have been ransomed under my authority, 

 from the hostile Tribes by whom they had been 

 captured; to make peace between certain Bellig- 

 erous Nations, and if practicable to effect an in- 

 terview with and conciliate the powerful bands of 

 I. C. taws or Comanches to the United States. 

 He was also instructed by me to ascertain the ex- 

 tent, direction, and navigableness of the Arkan- 

 sas and Red Rivers, which discharge their Waters 

 in the Mississippi. 



"I recollect to have seen Mr. Wilson the orni- 

 thologist, at Washington in the autumn of 1808, 

 and at Charlestown, S. C, the Winter following; 

 I admired his Enterprise, perseverance and ca- 

 pacity and had several conversations with Him 

 concerning the Work he had undertaken, which I 

 was desirous to promote with my humble means; 

 He made various enquiries respecting the feath- 

 ered creation of this region, and instructed me 

 how to preserve in dead Birds their living appear- 

 ance; But I do not remember that Capt. Pike or 

 his expeditions were alluded to, and the details of 

 that unfortunate meritorious young Soldier's 

 Western Tour published by himself, will best ex- 

 plain its utter inaptitude to the deliberate investi- 

 gations of the naturalist. 



