336 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 
that he had left Philadelphia for New York on the day 
before, “in good health, free from debt, and free from 
anxiety about the future.” Sully had given him glow- 
ing letters of introduction to Gilbert Stuart, Washing- 
ton Allston and Colonel Trumbull, but then as now mid- 
summer was not a propitious time to find city people 
at home, and he began to consider the advisability of 
visiting both Albany and Boston. Alternately elated 
or depressed by the prospects of the day or the hour, 
Audubon wrote on August 4 that he had called with a 
letter of introduction on Dr. Mitchell, who had given 
him “a kind letter to his friend Dr. Barnes.” This hur- 
riedly penciled note from the Nestor of American sci- 
ence of that day has been carefully preserved, and reads 
as follows: 
Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell to Dr. Barnes 
Mr. A. who brings strong testimonial of excellence from 
our friends in Pha is now sitting with me—I have been de- 
lighted and instructed by a Display of his Port Folio contain- 
ing Drawings Done from Life of North American Birds and 
illustrating the Connect, of ornithology with Botany. he has 
Superior attainments & skill in the natural sciences which he 
has cultivated for more than 20 y. 
he wishes to show his Elegant performances to the Mem- 
bers of the Lyceum and to be made a Member of that Society— 
it is his intention to Leave this City for Boston on Sunday 
morning. Meanwhile I recommend him to your good offices. 
Yours Truly as ever 
Sam, L. MircHeti 
Aug t 4 t 1824 
*For the favor of examining a collection of interesting autograph 
letters written to Audubon in Europe and America, some of which are 
here reproduced, I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Henry R. Howland, 
secretary of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. This note was written 
on a narrow strip of manila-colored drawing paper. 
