ALEXANDER WILSON. 
Ixxvii 
In September, 1812, Wilson directed his steps eastward, 
^ visit bis subscribers, and increase, if possible, their 
''umber. During this excursion, he met with the 
oUowing ludicrous adventure : — At Haverhill the good 
People observing a stranger among them, of very inquisitive 
units, and who evinced particular earnestness in exploring 
country, came to the sage conclusion, that he was a 
'^Py from Canada, etniiloycd in taking sketches of the 
to facilitate British invasion. It was, therefore, 
ought essential to the public safety, that he should be 
apprehended ; and he was accordingly taken into custody ; 
ut^the magistrate before whom he was brought, on being 
ucquaiuled with his character and pursuits, imrae- 
Hade a 
j^^tely dismissed him, with many apologies for the harm- 
und patriotic mistake. 
V* 1812, he was elected a member of the American 
I'hili 
osophieal Society ; and in the following year, by the 
Ilf o'** I®" '1 convenient. The perusal of your first volume 
He 'ent 'uc by (leneral Wilkinson, has produced in 
.. j ‘uy great de .><irt‘of luiikiug your acquaintance, 
days. ■mil my boy, that you propose going, in a few 
o{„’ New Orleans, where yon will see some small cabinets 
is voi bistjry that may interest you. But, as I presume it 
of y 'ntentiuii to |misei'iite your impiiriea into the interior 
as rnuntry, this cannot he done better than from my house 
Veniem ™“d-qiiarteis, where every thing will he made con- 
an,i ' bi your wishes. IMy house stands literally in the finest, 
Cunrc".'"^ oeautifni orioles, with other elegant birds, are our 
n compatuons. 
»Unnn.v° I'c'irer attends you with a couple of horses, on the 
ntben,*' '* ‘"ay he cimveu'ent for you to visit us to-day ; 
“mio; . ’ "''ab wait on you any other ilay that you shall 
!< £'• — I am respectfullv. See. Wii.!uam Dunbau. 
forest, 26 tA Muy, 1810 .” 
graph'^*'''* excellent gentleman,” continues the American bio- 
®>nee n • i" "'bose hospitality was thus promptly excited, has 
cherish!, debt of nature ; and his grateful guest fondly 
those 1 ’ *be last hour of his existence, the renu niltrance of 
that of l!*by "yments which were passeil in his society, and in 
as amiable und accomplishea family.” 
/ 
