CIV 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
nor any other that I applied to, gave me the least assistance, though 
they promised, and knew I was a stranger. I was going on in this 
way, when the keeper of the library, a Scotsman, a good man, 
whose name had been mentioned to me, made me out a list from 
the directory; and among these I spent ten days. The extreme 
servility and superabundance of negroes have ruined the energy 
and activity of the white population. M. appears to be fast sink- 
ing into the same insipidity of character; Avith a pretty good sprink- 
ling of rapacity. In Charleston, however, I met with some excel- 
lent exceptions, among the first ranks of society; and the Avork 
excited universal admiration. Dr. D. introduced it very handsomely 
into the Courier. On hearing of general Wilkinson’s arrival, I 
Avaited on him. He received me Avith kindness — said he valued 
the book highly — and paid me the twelve dollars ; on which I took 
occasion to prognosticate my final success on receiving its first 
fruits from him. 
“I will not tire you by a recital of the difficulties Avhich I met 
Avith betAveen Charleston and Savannah, by bad roads, and the ex- 
traordinary flood of the river Savannah, where I had nearly lost 
my horse, he having, by his restiveness, thrown himself overboard; 
and, had I not, at great personal risk, rescued him, he might have 
floated doAvn to Savannah before me, 
“I arrived here on Tuesday last, and advertised in the Re- 
publican, the editors of Avhich interested themselves considerably 
for me, speaking of my book in their Thursday’s paper Avith much 
approbation. The expense of advertising in the southern states is 
great ; but I found it really necessary. I have noAV seen every per- 
son in this place and neighbourhood, of use to be seen. Hei'e I 
close the list of my subscriptions, obtained at a price worth more 
than five times their amount. But, in spite of a host of difficulties, 
I have gained my point ; and should the work be continued in the 
style it has been begun, I have no doubt but we may increase the 
copies to four hundred. J have endeavoured to find persons of 
