LIFE OF WILSON. 
XXIH 
duction; and with not a shilling in his pocket.* But every care 
was forgotten in his transport at finding himself in the land of free- 
dom. He had often cast a wishful look towards the western hemi- 
sphere, and his warm fancy had suggested the idea, that among 
that people only, who maintained the doctrine of an equality of 
rights, could political justice be found. He had become indignant 
at beholding the influence of the wealthy converted into the means 
of oppression; and had imputed the wrongs and sufferings of the 
poor, not to the condition of society, but to the nature and consti- 
tution of the government. He was now free ; and exulted in his 
release, as a bird rejoices which escapes from the confinement of 
the cage. Impatient to set his foot upon the soil of the New World, 
he landed at the town of Newcastle ; and, shouldering his fowling- 
piece, he directed his steps towards Philadelphia, distant about 
thirty-three miles. The writer of this biography has a distinet re- 
collection of a conversation with Wilson on this part of his history, 
wherein he described his sensations on viewing the first bird that 
presented itself as he entered the forests of Delaware; it was a red- 
headed woodpecker, which he shot, and considered the most beau- 
tiful bird he had ever beheld. 
On his arrival at Philadelphia, he deliberated upon the most 
eligible mode of obtaining a livelihood, to which the state of his 
funds urged immediate attention. He made himself known to a 
countryman of his, Mr. John Aitken, a copper-plate printer, who, 
on being informed of his destitute situation, gave him employment 
at this business, at which he continued for a few weeks ; but aban- 
doned it for his trade of weaving, having made an engagement with 
Mr. Joshua Sullivan, who resided on the Pennypack creek, about 
ten miles north of Philadelphia. 
* This is Uterally true. The money which bore his expenses from Newcastle to Plnla- 
delphia was borrowed of a fellow passenger. The same generous friend, whose name was Oh- 
ver made him subsequently a loan of cash to enable him to travel mto Virginia. 
