CXXXll 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
Whether this man be guilty or not of the transaction laid to his 
charge I know not; but his manners and aspect are such as by 
no means to allay suspicion. 
“ After crossing Red river, which is here scarce twenty 
yards broad, I found no more barrens. The timber was large, 
and the woods fast thickening with green leaves. As I enter- 
ed the state of Tennessee, the face of the country became hilly, 
and even mountainous. After descending an immense decli- 
vity, and coursing along the rich valley of Manskers creek, 
where I again met with large flocks of paroquets, I stopt at a 
small tavern, to examine, for three or four days, this part of 
the country. Here I made some interesting additions to my 
stock of new subjects for the Ornithology. On the fourth day 
I crossed the Cumberland, where it is about two hundred and 
fifty yards wide, and of great depth, bounded as usual with 
high precipitous banks, and reached the town of Nashville, 
which towers like a fortress above the river. Here I have 
been busily employed these eight days; and send you the en- 
closed parcel of drawings, the result of every moment of leisure 
and convenience I could obtain. Many of the birds are alto- 
gether new; and you will find along with them every explana- 
tion necessary for your purpose. 
“You may rest assured of hearing from me by the first op- 
portunity after my arrival at Natchez. In the meantime I re- 
ceive with much pleasure the accounts you give me of the kind 
inquiries of my friends. To me nothing could be more wel- 
come; for whether journeying in this world, or journeying to 
that which is to come, there is something of desolation and 
despair in the idea of being forever forgotten in our absence, 
by those whom we sincerely esteem and regard.” 
TO MR. ALEXANDER LAWSON. 
Natchez, Mississippi Territory, May \9>th, 1810. 
“ Dear Sir, 
“ About three weeks ago I wrote to you from Nashville, 
enclosing three sheets of drawings, which I hope you have re- 
