LIFE OF WILSON. 
xlvii 
was either so scandalized at tlic informal application of our ornithologist, or 
so occupied in the great concerns of his exalted station, th:it no answer was 
returned to the overture ; and the cause of the supposed contemptuous ne- 
glect, neither Wilson nor Bartrani could ever ascertain. 
Whatever might have been the views of the president, who unquestionably 
bore an effective part in scheming and encouraging the expeditions C(jmmanded 
by Lewis and Clark, and Pike, there can be but one opinion on the insuffi- 
ciency of that plan of discovery which does not embrace the co-operation of 
men of letters and science : those whose knowledge will teach them to select 
what is valuable, and whose learning will enable them to digest it for the 
advantage of others. We would not draw an invidious comparison between 
the expeditions above-mentioned, and those under the command of Major 
Long; but we will rest in the Impe that, as the guvernment y/ixc appears to 
be sensible of the beneficial effects resulting from a liberal and enlightened 
policy, it will continue to foster that spirit of enterprise which distinguishes 
some of our citizens ; and which, if properly directed, will redound to the 
honor and glory of our country. 
To Mr. William Duncan. 
" Gray's Ferry, February 26th, 1806. 
" Notwithstanding the great esteem I have for your judgment, in prefer- 
ence, many times, to my own, yet I believe we are both wrong in the proposed 
affair of Saturday week. I have not the smallest ambition of being considered 
an orator; and would it not, by some, be construed into vanity, or something 
worse, for me to go all the way from this place to deliver a political lecture 
at IMilestown? Politics has begot me so many enemies, both in the old and 
new world, and has done me so little good, that I begin to think the less 
you and I harangue on that subject the better. I do not say this from any 
doubt I have of being able to say something on the subject, but Tiiuch question 
the policy and prudence of it. If you and I attend punctually to the duties 
of our profession, and make our business our pleasure; and the improvement 
of our pupils, with their good government, our chief aim ; honor, and re- 
spectability, and success will assuredly attend us, even if we never open our 
lips on politics. 
" These have been some of my reflections since we parted. I hope you 
will weigh them in your own mind, and acquiesce in my resolutioti of not inter- 
fering in the debate on Saturday, as we talked of. At the same time I am 
really pleased to see the improvement the practice has ])roduced in you; and 
would by no means wish to dissuade you from amusing and exercising your 
mind in this manner; because I know that your moderation in sentiment and 
conduct will always preserve you from ill will on any of these scores. But 
as it could add nothing to my fame, and as they have all heard me, often 
enough, on different subjects, about Milestown ; and as it would raise no new 
friends to you, but might open old sores in some of your present friends, I 
hope you will agree with me that it will be prudent to decline the affair. 
And as you have never heard me deliver any of my own compositions in this 
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