xliv LIFE OF WILSON. 



" Mr. Wilson's affectionate compliments to Mr. Bartram ; and sends for his 

 amusement and correction another proof of his Birds of the United States. 

 The coloring being chiefly done last night, must soften criticism a little. Will 

 be thankful for my friend's advice and correction. 



"Mr. Wilson wishes his beloved friend a happy new year, and every 

 blessing." 



;' Saturday, January 4th, 1806." 



These essays in etching,* though creditable to Wilson's ingenuity and per- 

 severance, yet by no means afforded satisfaction. He became now convinced 

 that the point alone was not sufficient to produce the intended effect; and that 

 nothing short of the accuracy of the graver would in anywise correspond to 

 his ideas of excellence. But in the art of engraving he had never been in- 

 structed ; and he could not command means sufficient to cover the expense of 

 the plates even of a single volume, on the magnificent plan which his compre- 

 hensive mind had delineated. A proposition was now made to Mr.' Lawson to 

 engage in the work, on a joint concern. But there were several objections 

 which this gentleman urged, sufficiently weighty, in his opinion, to warrant 

 his non-acceptance of the offer. Wilson, finding his schemes thus baffled, 

 declared, with solemn emphasis, his resolution of proceeding alone in the 

 publication, if it should even cost him his life. " I shall at least leave" 

 continued he, " a small beacon to point out where I perished." 



To Mr. Wm. Barteam. 



" January 27th, 1806. 

 " Being in town on Saturday, I took the opportunity of calling on Mr. 

 -, who, in 1804, went down the Ohio, with one companion, in a small 



batteau. They sometimes proceeded seventy miles in twenty-four hours, going 

 often night and day. They had an awning; and generally slept on board the 

 boat, without ever catching cold, or any inconvenience by musquitoes, except 

 when in the neighborhood of swamps. He describes the country as exceed- 

 ingly beautiful. The object of their journey being trade, they had neither 

 gun nor fishing-tackle; and paid little or no attention to natural objects. He 

 says the navigation of a batteau is perfectly easy, and attended with no hazard 

 whatever. One solitary adventurer passed them in a small boat, going from 

 Wheeling to New Orleans. 



" If, my dear friend, we should be so happy as to go together, what would 

 you think of laying our design before Mr. Jefferson, with a view to procure 

 his advice, and recommendation to influential characters in the route ? Could 

 we procure his approbation and patronage, they would secure our success. 

 Perhaps he might suggest some improvements in our plan. Had we a good 

 companion, intimately acquainted with mineralogy, who would submit to our 

 economical plan of proceeding, it would certainly enhance the value of the 

 expedition. However, this I have no hopes of 



* The two first plates of the Ornithology are those which the author etched himself. 

 The writer of this sketch has in his possession a proof of the first one, which he preserves 

 as a relic of no small value. It is inscribed with the author's name. 



