c ii LIFE OF 



self as the friend and companion of Wilson. He does not mention 

 at what period this intimacy commenced, but tells us that, in 1812, 

 a journey was undertaken by our author into the eastern states, for 

 the purpose of visiting his subscribers and settling accounts with 

 his agents. During this expedition Wilson writes to Mr Ord, giving 

 a short account of the excursion : — 



To Mr George Ord. 



"Boston, October 13, 1812. 

 "Dear Sir, — It is not in my power at present to give you 

 anything more than a slight sketch of my rambles since leaving 

 Philadelphia. My route up the Hudson afforded great pleasure, 

 mingled with frequent regret that you were not along with me to 

 share the enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we 

 passed within ten miles of the celebrated Catskil Mountains, a 

 gigantic group, clothed with forest to the summits. In the river 

 here I found our common reed {Zizania aquatica) growing in great 

 abundance, in shoals extending along the middle of the river. I 

 saw flocks of redwings, and some black ducks, but no rail or 

 reed-birds. From this place my journey led me over a rugged 

 mountainous country to Lake Champlain, along which I coasted 

 as far as Burlington in Vermont. Here I found the little coot- 

 footed tringa, or phalarope, that you sent to Mr Peale ; a new 

 and elegantly marked hawk ; and observed some black ducks. 

 The shores are alternate sandy bays and rocky headlands running 

 into the lake. Every tavern was crowded with officers, soldiers, and 

 travellers. Eight of us were left without a bed ; but having an 

 excellent greatcoat, I laid myself down in a corner, with a deter- 

 mination of sleeping in defiance of the uproar of the house, and the 

 rage of my companions, who would not disgrace themselves by a 

 prostration of this sort. From Lake Champlain I traversed a rude 

 mountainous region to Connecticut River, one hundred miles above 

 Dartmouth College. I spent several days with the gun in Graton 

 and Eyegate townships, and made some discoveries. From this I 

 coasted along the Connecticut to a place called Haverhill, ten miles 

 from the foot of Moose-Hillock, one of the highest of the White 

 Mountains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day 



