LIFE OF WILSON. 
Ivii 
don’t value either of their opinions so much as I would yours. I 
have bestowed more pains upon this than I ever did upon any for- 
mer poem ; and if it contain nothing really good, I shall for ever 
despair of producing any other that will.” 
To Mr. WM. BARTRAM. 
March 4, 1805. 
“ My dear friend, 
^‘This day the heart of every republican, of 
every good man, within the immense limits of our happy country, 
will leap with joy. 
“ The re-appointment and continuance of our beloved Jeffer- 
son to superinted our national concerns, is one of those distinguish- 
ed blessings whose beneficent effects extend to posterity ; and whose 
value our hearts may feel, but can never express. 
“ I congratulate with you, my dear friend, on this happy event. 
The enlightened philosopher, — the distinguished naturalist ^ — the 
jirst statesman on earthy — the friend, the ornament of science, is the 
father of our country, the faithful guardian of our liberties. May 
the precious fruits of such preeminent talents long, long be ours : 
and the grateful effusions of millions of freemen, at a far distant 
period, follow their aged and honoured patriot to the peaceful 
tomb. 
I am at present engaged in drawing the two birds which I 
brought from the Mohawk ; and, if I can finish them to your ap- 
probation, I intend to transmit them to our excellent president, as 
the child of an amiable parent presents to its affectionate father 
some little token of its esteem.” 
VOL. IX. 
P 
