ALEXANDER WILSON. J xv 



"Philadelphia, November 11, 1809. 



" Dear Sir, — Since I parted from you yesterday evening, I have 

 ruminated a great deal on my proposed journey; I have considered 

 the advantages and disadvantages of the three modes of proceeding, 

 — on horseback, in the stage coach, and on foot. Taking every- 

 thing into view, I have at length determined to adopt the last, as 

 being the cheapest ; the best adapted for examining the country we 

 pass through ; the most favourable to health ; and, in short, except 

 for its fatigues, the best mode for a scientific traveller or naturalist, 

 in every point of view. I have also thought, that, by this determi- 

 nation, I will be so happy as to secure your company, for which I 

 would willingly sustain as much hardship, and as many deprivations 

 as I am able to bear. 



" If this determination should meet your approbation, and if you 

 are willing to encounter the hardships of such a pedestrian journey, 

 let me know as soon as is convenient. I think one dollar a-day each 

 will be fully sufficient for our expenses, by a strict regard, at all 

 times, to economy." 



Bartram did not, however, accompany him, most probably pre- 

 vented, or comparatively unable, from his increasing years ; and 

 Wilson set out alone for Pittsburgh, on his ornithological pilgrimage, 

 in the end of January 1810. His adventures and successes are 

 sketched in the following letters, some of which were published in 

 the year following in the Portfolio : — 



To Mr Alexander Law son. 



"Pittsburgh, February 22, 1810. 



" Dear Sir, — From this first stage of my ornithological pilgrim- 

 age, I sit down with pleasure to give you some account of my 

 adventures since we parted. On arriving at Lancaster, I waited 

 on the governor, secretary of state, and such other great folks as 

 were likely to be useful to me. The governor received me with 

 civility, passed some good-natured compliments on the volumes, and 

 readily added his name to my list. He seems an active man, of 

 plain good sense, and little ceremony. By Mr L I was intro- 

 duced to many members of both houses ; but I found them in 



