312 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



taken to prison, had I not met with William Noi-ris, Esq., who 

 kindly offered to be my bail. This event brings to my mind 

 many disagreeable thoughts connected with my former business 

 transactions, in which I was always the single loser, that I will 

 only add I made all necessary arrangements to have it paid. 



" We left Philadelphia for Baltimore, where I obtained four 

 new subscribers, and received many civilities, and especially 

 from Mr. Theodore Anderson, the collector of the customs. He 

 is fond of birds, and that made me fond of him. 



" From Baltimore we went to Washington, for the purpose of 

 obtaining permission for myself to accompany an expedition to 

 the Rocky Mountains under the patronage of the Government. 

 Generals McGombe, Jessup, Colonel Abert, and other influential 

 persons received me as usual with marked kindness. I called 

 on Governor Cass, Secretary of War, and met with a reception 

 that nearly disheartened me. He said in an indifferent and 

 cold manner that any request of that sort must be made in 

 writing to the Department ; and it recalled to my mind how 

 poor Wilson was treated by the famous Jefferson when he made 

 a similar application to that great diplomatist. I had forgotten 

 to take with me the flattering letter of introduction I had 

 received from Dr. MacKenney, and I inquired if he would allow 

 me to send him the letter : he said, ' Certainly, sir,' and I bowed 

 and retired, determined never to trouble him or the War 

 Department again. 



" I was revolving in my mind how I might get to the Eocky 

 Mountains without the assistance of the Secretary of War, when 

 I suddenly met with a friendly face, no less than Washington 

 Irving's. I mentioned my errand to him and the answer I had 

 received, and he thought I was mistaken. I might have been ; 

 but those eyes of mine have discovered more truth in men's 

 eyes than their mouths were willing to acknowledge. However, 

 I listened to good Irving with patience and calmness, and he 

 promised to see the Secretary of War; and he also at once 

 accompanied me to Mr. Taney, the Secretary of the Treasury, 

 who received me well, and at once kindly gave me a letter, 

 granting me the privilege of the revenue cutters along the 

 coast south of Delaware Bay." 



Mr. Audubon returned to Baltimore, took the bay steamer 



