LIFE OF WILSON. xxxi 



a desire, which he had long indulged, of visiting those regions, 

 which he was well convinced were rich in the various objects of 

 science; and particularly where subjects, new and interesting, 

 might be collected for his embryo work on the ornithology of our 

 country. He expressed his wishes to Mr. Bartram, who approved 

 of them; and the latter cheerfully wrote a letter to his friend and 

 correspondent, Mr. Jefferson, wherein Mr. Wilson's character and 

 acquirements were distinctly stated ; recommending him as one 

 highly qualified to be employed in that important national enter- 

 prise. This introductory, couched in the most gentlemanly terms, 

 covered an application from Mr. Wilson himself, which, as faith- 

 ful biographers of our deceased friend, we here think proper to 

 insert entire : 



" To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson, 



" President of the United States. 



" Sir, 



" Having been engaged, these several years, in collecting 

 materials and furnishing drawings from nature, with the design of 

 publishing a new Ornithology of the United States of America, so 

 deficient in the works of Catesby, Edwards and other Europeans, 

 I have traversed the greater part of our northern and eastern dis- 

 tricts ; and have collected many birds undescribed by these natu- 

 ralists. Upwards of one hundred drawings are completed ; and 

 two plates in folio already engraved. But as many beautiful tribes 

 frequent the Ohio and the extensive country through which it passes, 

 that probably never visit the Atlantic states ; and as faithful repre- 

 sentations of these can only be taken from living nature, or from 

 birds newly killed ; I had planned an expedition down that river, 

 from Pittsburg to the Mississippi, thence to Neworleans, and to 

 continue my researches by land in return to Philadelphia. I had 

 engaged as a companion and assistant Mr. William Bartram of 

 this place, whose knowledge of Botany, as well as Zoology, would 



