xxxii 



LIFE OF WILSON 



have enabled me to make the best of the voyage, and to collect 

 many new specimens in both those departments. Sketches of 

 these were to have been taken on the spot; and the subjects put in 

 a state of preservation to finish our drawings from, as time would 

 permit. We intended to set out from Pittsburg about the begin- 

 ning of May ; and expected to reach Neworleans in September. 



" But my venerable friend, Mr. Bartram, taking into more 

 serious consideration his advanced age, being near seventy, and 

 the weakness of his eye-sight ; and apprehensive of his inability to 

 encounter the fatigues and deprivations unavoidable in so exten- 

 sive a tour; having, to my extreme regret, and the real loss of 

 science, been induced to decline the journey; I had reluctantly 

 abandoned the enterprise, and all hopes of accomplishing my pur- 

 pose; till hearing that your Excellency had it in contemplation to 

 send travellers this ensuing summer up the Red River, the Arkan- 

 saw and other tributary streams of the Mississippi; and believing 

 that my services might be of advantage to some of these parties^ 

 in promoting your Excellency's design ; while the best opportu- 

 nities would be afforded me of procuring subjects for the work 

 which I have so much at heart. Under these impressions I beg 

 leave to offer myself for any of these expeditions ; and can be 

 ready at a short notice to attend your Excellency's orders. 



" Accustomed to the hardships of travelling ; without a fa- 

 mily ; and an enthusiast in the pursuit of Natural History, I will 

 devote my whole powers to merit your Excellency's approbation; 

 and ardently wish for an opportunity of testifying the sincerity of 

 my professions, and the deep veneration wdth which I have the^ 

 honor to be, 



" Sir, 



" Your obedient servant, 



"ALEX. WILSON."^ 



KingsesSf Feh. 6, 1806. 



* Mr. Wilson was particularly anxious to accompany Pike, who commenced l«is journey from tlie 

 Cantonment on the Missouri, lor the sources of the Ai'kansaw, ka. on the 15th July, 1806. 



