xx INTRODUCTION, 
myself, became still more cemented by the marriage of his 
eldest daughter to my youngest son. 
In the course of our long journeys through woods and over 
plains, and of our sinuous sailings along the many bays, 
creeks or bayous, which we visited on this expedition, not- 
withstanding all our exertions and constant anxiety, we did 
not discover a single bird not previously known. However, 
the enterprise proved exceedingly interesting to my com- 
panions and myself, and I trust its results will be found to 
possess some value in your eyes also, for, as you will perceive, 
it has enabled me to speak with more confidence on the mi- 
gratory movements of a good number of species which visit 
us from southern climes during the breeding season. It also 
enables me to define more accurately than I could otherwise 
have done, the geographical distribution of most of those 
which at various times make their appearance in the different 
sections of the United States, and other portions of North 
America. 
Leaving Charleston, we reached Norfolk by a steamer, af- 
ter a short passage of thirty-eight hours, and proceeded at 
once to Washington, where I presented myself to the Presi- 
dent of the United States, Martin Van Buren, to whom I 
had letters from my amiable and celebrated friend, WasHine- 
TON Irvine, Esq., and offered my best thanks to the heads 
of the several departments, and my various friends. We then 
passed rapidly through Baltimore and Philadelphia, my wish 
being to reach New York as soon as possible. There I re- 
mained a fortnight, while my son and daughter-in-law visited 
the Falls of Niagara. They having returned, we embarked, 
on the 16th of July 1837, on board the American packet-ship, 
