lii 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
before my departure. But I sliall have a better stock of adventures to relate 
after my return. 
" I send a copy of tlie prospectus, and my best wishes for the happiness 
of the whole family. I leave niy horse behind, aad go by the stage coach, as 
being the least troublesome. I hope to make some discoveries in my tour, the 
least agreeable of which will, I fear, be — that I have bestowed a great deal of 
labor and expense to little purpose. But all these things will not prevent me 
from enjoying, as I pass along, the glorious face of Nature, and her admirable 
productions, while I have eyes to see, and taste and judguient to appreciate 
them." 
After despatching the above note, Wilson set out on a journey to the east- 
ward, to exhibit his book, and procure subscribers. He travelled as far 
as the District of Maine ; and returned through Vermont, by the way of 
Albany, to Philadelphia. From a letter to a friend, dated Boston, October 
10th, 1808, we have made the following extract: 
" I have purposely avoided saying anything either good or bad, on the 
encouragement I have met with. I shall only say, that among the many 
thousands who have examined my book, and among these were men of the first 
character for taste and literature, I have heard nothing but expressions of the 
highest admiration and esteem. If I have been mistaken in publishing a 
work too good for the country, it is a fault not likely to be soon repeated, and 
will pretty severely correct itself. But whatever may be the result of these 
matters, I shall not sit down with folded hands, while anything can be done to 
carry my point : since God helps them who help themselves. I am fixing cor- 
respondents in every corner of these northern regions, like so many pickets 
and outposts, so that scarcely a luren or tit shall be able to pass along, from 
York to Canada, but I shall get intelligence of it." 
To Mr. D. H. Miller. 
" Boston, October 12th, 1808. 
" Dear Sir. 
" I arrived here on Sunday last, after various adventures, the particulars of 
which, as well as the observations I have had leisure to make upon the passing 
scenery around me, I shall endeavor, as far as possible, to compress into this 
letter, for your own satisfaction, and that of my frieods who may be interested 
for my welfare. My company in the stage-coach to New York were all un- 
known to me, except Colonel S., who was on his route to Fort Oswego, on 
Lake Ontario, to take command of the troops intended to be stationed on that 
part of the frontier, to prevent evasions of the embargo law. The sociable dis- 
position and afi"ability of the Colonel made this part of the journey pass very 
agreeably, for both being fond of walking, whenever the driver stopped to 
water, or drink grog, which was generally every six or eight miles, we set out 
on foot, and sometimes got on several miles before the coach overhauled us. 
By this method we enjoyed our ride, and with some little saving of horseflesh, 
which I know you will approve of. At Princeton I bade my fellow-travellers 
good-by, as I had to wait upon the reverend doctors of the college. I took 
my book under my arm, put several copies of the prospectus into my pocket, 
