ALEXANDER WILSON. 
41 
Wilson also determined to avail himself ; of course 
his friend Lawson was applied to, and furnished 
the copper and other accessories ; but after various 
unsuccessful essays, ho abandoned the idea of con- 
tributing the plates, and again applied to Lawson 
to take a share in the contemplated work, which, 
from prudential motives, was declined. But this 
only caused Wilson to devote his energies with 
the greater enthusiasm to the arduous task. — “ 1 
shall at least leave a small beacon to point out where 
I perished." 
At this time Mr. Jefferson, President of the 
United States, had in contemplation an expedition 
to explore the country of the Mississippi ; and 
Wilson, anxious to store himself with every informa- 
tion for his favourite scheme, applied to be enrolled 
as Naturalist to the party. To this proposal the 
President replied in very kind terms; but from 
some fatality which the biographers of Wilson ap- 
pear to he at a loss to account for, he heard nothing 
more on the subject, excepting the letter alluded 
to. It happened, fortunately, that our author was 
introduced now to Mr. Samuel F. Bradford, book- 
seller, Philadelphia, who was about to republish 
an improved edition of Rees’ Cyclopaedia, to which 
Wilson was chosen assistant Editor, with a liberal 
salary. “ This," he remarks, “ will, I hope, enable 
me in more ways than one to proceed with my 
intended Ornithology, to which all my leisure mo- 
ments will be devoted.” 
Being now in a condition to begin the Work, of 
