148 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



I could support the fatigues connected with a journey of sev- 

 eral years, and separated from my dear Family. Well the 

 desiderata has come to Philadelphia at least in part, and if I 

 could be allowed to pourtray the new species now there as an 

 appendix to the Birds of America, I should be proud and happy 

 to do so, but do you think that the Academy is likely to indulge 

 me in this my wish? Do join me at Harlan's as soon as you 

 can, and lend me a hand and try to promote my views through 

 mutual Friends attatched to that Institution. 



Audubon also communicated at once with John 

 Bachman, whom he had planned to visit on his journey 

 south, but soon learned that the cholera had broken out 

 in Charleston and that the Seminoles were on the war- 

 path in Florida. Said Bachman, writing on September 

 14: 



With regard to Florida, nothing will be done by naturalists 

 for at least two years. Your Indian friends, the cut-throats, 

 have scalped almost every woman and child south of St. Augus- 

 tine, save those on Key West. They have burnt and plundered 

 every plantation; and although they will probably be, in a 

 great measure, put down next winter, yet there will, undoubt- 

 edly, remain many small predatory bands that will make no 

 bones of scalping at Ornithologist secundum artem; and would 

 ask no questions whether he were the friend or enemy of William 

 Penn. Of Texas, I think better, and thither, or along its bor- 

 ders, you may, I think, venture for the Texans are our friends. 

 I suppose Genl. Gaines will keep the Comanches quiet. 3 



Bachman kept his friends informed of the progress 

 of the epidemic, which had placed an embargo over his 

 city; at the same time he sent news of the Anhingas, 

 Caracara Eagles and Cormorants, which had been suc- 

 cessfully held in captivity for the naturalist, and added : 



3 C. L. Bachman, John Bachman, D.D., LL.D., Ph.D. (Bibl. No. 191). 



