Alexander wilson. 
xxvii 
e ore t e sheriff, imprisoned, and compelled publicly to 
as'tli ^ °®^‘'sive poem. That, in writing it, he acted 
^ others, not from any malignant feelings in 
ft'om his subsequent conduct. Before 
iving p,ii„lj,yPjjr Ajncrica, he waited on some whom he 
wl ■ requested forgiveness for any uneasiness 
ne his writings might have occasioned. Many years 
“ tenvards—a short time before his death—he invited his 
■■ot er Uavid to join him in America. David w'ent 
accordingly, taking with him copies of all the poet's 
satirical piecc.s, which he had carefully collected, thinking, 
probably, that they would be received as an acceptable 
present. But Wilson, the instant they were produced, 
threw them into the lire, saying, “ These were the sins 
ot my youth ; and, had I taken my good old fhther’s 
advice, they never would have seen the light.” 
This unfortunate event seems to have had some effect 
m slackening the ties which bound Wilson to bis native 
Wuntiy. There were also other causes at work. The 
hreiicb Revolutiou was at that time awaking the hopes or 
ears of all who saw in it, either the commencement 
M a new and glorious era of political freedom, or, as it 
y proved, of a period of anarchy and bloodshed, 
nson, like many other urdoiit-minded men, hehcld it in 
e ormer aspect, and rapturously hailed it.s appearance, 
e associated himself with those who entitled theinsclvcs 
hriends of the People; and, as his conduct had 
recently given umbrage to those in ]>ower, he was marked 
as .1 dangerous character. In this condition, foiled in his 
e orts to acquire a jioct’s name ; depressed by poverty ; 
ated by those who had smarted beneath his lash ; and 
suspected on account of bis politics ; it is not to he 
^^ondered at, that Wilson listened willingly to the llatter- 
to^ regarding America, and speedily resolved 
**'‘'*' ^‘“P***" excellence. This resolu- 
■"■as the more easily adopted, that he had never 
