LIFE OF WILSON. 
pose ; till hearing that your excellency had it in contemplation to 
send travellers this ensuing summer up the Red River, the Arkan- 
saw, and other tributary streams of the Mississippi ; and believing 
that my sei'vices might be of advantage to some of these parties, 
in promoting your excellency’s design ; while the best opportuni- 
ties would be afforded me of procuring subjects for the work which 
I have so much at heart ; under these impressions I beg leave to 
offer myself for any of these expeditions ; and can be ready at a 
short notice to attend your excellency’s orders. 
“ Accustomed to the hardships of travelling, without a family, 
and an enthusiast in the pursuit of Natural History, I will devote 
my whole powers to merit your excellency’s approbation ; and ar- 
dently wish for an opportunity of testifying the sincerity of my 
professions, and the deep veneration with which I have the honour 
to be, 
“ Sir, 
“ Your obedient servant, 
^^ALEX. WILSON.”^ 
JCmgsesSi Fcb> 6, 1806. 
Mr. Jefferson had in his port-folio decisive proofs of Wilson’s 
talents as an ornithologist, the latter having some time before, as 
the reader will have observed, transmitted to his excellency some 
elegant drawings of birds, accompanied with descriptions. Yet 
with these evidences before him, backed with the recommendation 
of a discerning and experienced naturalist, Mr. Jefferson was either 
so scandalized at the informal application of our ornithologist, or 
so occupied in the great concerns of his exalted station, that no an- 
swer was returned to the overture ; and the cause of the, supposed, 
contemptuous neglect, neither Wilson nor Bartram could ever as- 
certain. 
* Wilson was particularly anxious to accompany Pike, who commenced his journey from 
the cantonment on the Missouri, for the sources of the Arkansaw, 8t.c. on the IStli July, 1806. 
VOL. IX. 
T 
