LIFE OF WILSON. 
XXI 
tiguing journey to a pedestrian, who, in the space of twenty- 
eight days, travelled nearly eight hundred miles. 
The life of Wilson now becomes interesting, as we are ena- 
bled, by a selection from his letters, to present him to the rea- 
der as his own biographer. 
TO MR. WM. DUNCAN.* 
Milestown, July 1, 1800. 
“ Dear Bill, 
I had the pleasure of yours by the hands of Mr. P. this 
day; and about fours weeks ago I had another, directed to Mr. 
Dobson’s care, both of which were as welcome to me as any 
thing, but your own self, could be. I am just as you left me, 
only my school has been thinner this season than formerly. 
“ I have had four letters from home, all of which I have an- 
swered. Their news are — Dull trade — provisions most exor- 
bitantly high — R.’s sister dead — the Seedhills mill burnt to the 
ground — and some other things of less consequence. 
^ 7 ^ 
‘‘ I doubt much if stills could be got up in time to do any 
thing at the distilling business this winter. Perhaps it might 
be a safer way to take them up, in the spring, by the Susque- 
hanna. But if you are determined, and think that we should 
engage in the business, I shall be able to send them up either 
way. P. tells me that his two stills cost about forty pounds. 
I want to hear more decisively from you before I determine. 
Sooner than live in a country exposed to the ague, I would re- 
main where I am. 
‘‘0. comes out to stay with me two months, to learn survey- 
ing, algebra, &c. I have been employed in several places about 
this summer to survey, and have acquitted myself with credit, 
and to my own satisfaction. I should not be afraid to engage 
in any job with the instruments I have. * * * 
* Mr. Duncan at this time resided upon the faiTn mentioned above, which 
was situated in the township of Ovid, Cayuga County, New York. 
