xviii 



LIFE OF WILSON 



found. He liad become indignant at beholding the influence of 

 the wealthy converted into the means of oppression; and had 

 imputed the wrongs and sufferings of the poor, not to the condi- 

 tion of society, but to the nature and constitution of the govern- 

 ment. He was now free ; and exulted in his release, as a bird 

 rejoices which escapes from the confinement of the cage. Impa- 

 tient to set his foot on the soil of the New World, he landed at 

 Newcastle ; and shouldering his fowling-piece, directed his route 

 towards Philadelphia, distant about thirty-three miles. The writer 

 of this biography has a distinct recollection of a conversation with 

 Mr. Wilson on this part of his history, wherein he described his 

 sensations on viewing the first bird that presented itself as he en- 

 tered the forests of Delaware. It was a red-headed Woodpecker, 

 which he shot, and considered the most beautiful bird he had 

 ever beheld. 



On his arrival at Philadelphia, he reflected on the most eli- 

 gible mode of obtaining a livelihood, to which the state of his 

 funds urged immediate attention. He made himself known to 

 Mr. John Aitkin, a copper-plate printer, who on learning his 

 situation gave him employment at that business, at which he 

 continued for a few weeks; and abandoned it for his trade of 

 weaving, having made an engagement with Mr. Joshua Sullivan, 

 who resided on the Pennypack creek, about ten miles north of 

 Philadelphia. 



The confinement of the loom did not agree either with Mr. 

 Wilson^s habits or inclinations ; and learning that there was con- 

 siderable encouragement afforded to settlers in Virginia, he mi- 

 grated thither, and took up his residence near Shepherd^s Town, 

 in that part of the state known by the name of New Virginia. 

 Hei'e he again found himself necessitated to engage in the same 

 sedentary occupation ; and soon becoming disgusted with the 

 place, he returned to his friend, Mr. Sullivan, at Pennypack. 



I find from one of his journals, that in the year 1795 he 



