LIFE OF WILSON. 
cv 
spectiye view of the town of Pittsburg at this season, with the 
numerous arks and covered keel-boats preparing to descend 
the Ohio; its hills, its great rivers — the pillars of smoke rising 
from its furnaces and glass-works — would make a noble picture. 
I began a very diligent search in this place, the day after my 
arrival, for subscribers, and continued it for four days. I suc- 
ceeded beyond expectation, having got nineteen names of the 
most wealthy and respectable part of the inhabitants. The in- 
dustry of Pittsburg is remarkable; every body you see is busy; 
and as a proof of the prosperity of the place, an eminent law- 
yer told me that there has not been one suit instituted against 
a merchant of the town these three years. 
^ ^ 
“ Gentlemen here assure me that the road to Chilicothe is 
impassable on foot by reason of the freshes. I have therefore 
resolved to navigate myself a small skiff, which I have bought, 
and named the Ornithologist, down to Cincinnati, a distance 
of five hundred and twenty-eight miles; intending to visit five 
or six towns that lie in my way. From Cincinnati I will 
cross over to the opposite shore, and, abandoning my boat, 
make my way to Lexington, where I expect to be ere your 
letter can reach that place. Were I to go by Chilicothe, I 
should miss five towns, as large as it. Some say that I ought 
not to attempt going down by myself — others think I may. 
I am determined to make the experiment, the expense of 
hiring a rower being considerable. As soon as the ice clears 
out of the Alleghany, and the weather will permit, I shall 
shove off, having every thing in readiness. I have ransacked 
the woods and fields here without finding a single bird new to 
me, or indeed any thing but a few snow-birds and sparrows. 
I expect to have something interesting to communicate in my 
next. 
-Jic -JS -5^ 
“ My friends will please accept through you my best wishes 
and kindest respects; and I regret that while the grand specta- 
cle of mountains, regions of expanded forests, glittering towns, 
VOL. I. — 0 
