xl 



LIFE OF WILSON. 



first instance of such hospitality which I have met with in the 

 United States." 



" Wednesday^ 2Sd May. Left Natchez, after procuring twelve 

 subscribers ; and having received a kind letter of invitation from 

 William Dunbar, Esq. I availed myself of his goodness, and rode 

 nine miles along the usual road to his house ; where, tho' confined 

 to his bed by a severe indisposition, I was received with great hos- 

 pitality and kindness; had a neat bed-room assigned me; and was 

 requested to consider myself as at home during the time I should 

 find it convenient to stay in exploring that part of the country." 



The letter above mentioned, which is now before us, is wor- 

 thy of transcription : 



" Foresty 20th May, 1810, 



" Sir, 



" It is very unfortunate that I should be so much indis- 

 posed as to be confined to my bed-room ; nevertheless, I cannot 

 give up the idea of having the pleasure of seeing you as soon as 

 you find it convenient ; the perusal of your first volume of Orni- 

 thology, lent me by General Wilkinson, has produced in me a 

 very great desire of making your acquaintance. 



" I understand, from my boy, that you propose going in a 

 few days to Neworleans, where you will see some small cabinets 

 of natural history that may interest you. But as I presume it is 

 your intention to prosecute your inquiries into the interior of our 

 country, this cannot be done better than from my house as your 

 head quarters ; where every thing will be made convenient to your 

 wishes. My house stands literally in the forest, and your beautiful 

 Orioles, with other elegant birds, are our court-yard companions. 



" The bearer attends you with a couple of horses, on the sup- 

 position that it may be convenient for you to visit us to-day; other- 

 wise he will wait upon you any other day that you shall appoint. 



" I am respectfully, &c. 



" WILLIAM DUNBAR." 



