202 
Coues : “ Behind the Veil ” 
{Letter from John J. Audubon , superscribed to “ Rich d Harlan Esqr- M. D. 
&c &c &c Philadelphia Pens a ” ; now in the possession of R. W. Shufeldt , 
M. D., and heretofore unpublished . ] 
St Francisville Louisiana Novembr 18tli 
1829 — 
My Dear Friend. — 
You will see by the data of this the rapidity with which I have crossed 
two thirds of the United States. I had the happiness of pressing my 
beloved wife to my breast Yesterday morning ; saw my two sons at Louis- 
ville and all is well. — from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh I found the Roads, 
the Coaches, horses Drivers and Inns all much improved and yet need- 
ing a great deal to make the traveller quite comfortable — The slownesse 
of the stages is yet a great bore to a man in a hurry — I remained part of 
a day at Pittsburgh where of course I paid my respects to the Museum ! 
I was glad to see the germ of one — it is conducted by a very young man 
named Lambdin — I made an arrangement with him [place of seal — paper 
gone] & c - & c * & c - at Cincinnati I also visited the Museum [paper gone] 
it scarcely improves since my last view of it, except indeed by wax 
figures and such other shows as are best suitable to make money and the 
least so to improve the mind. — I could not see D[illegible] my time was 
very limited. — The Ohio was in good order for Navigation and I reached 
Louisville distant from you about 1 ,000 Miles in one week. == as you spoke 
of travelling westwardly I give you here an a / 0 of the Fare. — to Pittsburgh 
all included 21 $. — to Louisville 12 $>. • — and 25 $ more to Bayou Sarah 
where I Landed. 30 $ is the price from Louisville to N. Orleans. = 
our Steam Boats are commodious and go well — but my Dear Friend the 
most extraordinary change has taken place in appearance as I have pro- 
ceeded. — The foliage had nearly left the Trees in Pensylvania, the Swal- 
lows had long since disapeared severe frost indeed had rendered Nature 
gloomy and uninteresting — Judge of the contrast : I am now surrounded 
by Green Trees and Swallows gambole around the house as in Pennsylva- 
nia during June & July = The mock bird is heard to sing and during a 
Walk with my Wife yesterday I collected some 20 or 30 Insects = that is 
not all, a friend of mine here says that he has discovered 2 or 3 New 
Birds ! ! ! — new Birds are new birds our days, and I shall endeavour to 
shew you the Facts Simile when again I shall have the pleasure of shaking 
your hand — 
although so lately arrived, I have established the fact that M rs A. and 
myself will be on our way towards “ Old England” by the 15 th of JanA 
we will ascend the Mississipi and after resting ourselves at Louisville with 
our sons and other relatives about one month and then proceed with the 
Rapidity of the Wild Pigeon should God grant us our wishes ! — 
have you seen or heard any thing of Ward? — have you the little sketch 
of Dear? = we had a passenger on Board the Huntress named Potts from 
your City who knows you well a lively young Gentleman ; has a Brother 
(a Clergyman) established and married at Natchez. — 
