lx 
LIFE OF 
“ From Portland, 1 steered across the country for the northern 
parts of Vermont, among barren, savage, pine-covered mountains, 
through regions where nature and art had done infinitely less to 
make it a fit residence for men, than any country I ever traversed. 
Among these dreary tracts I found winter had already commenced, 
and the snow several inches deep. I called at Dartmouth college, 
the president of which, as well as all I visited in New England, 
subscribed. Though sick with a severe cold and great fatigue, I 
continued my route to this place, passing and calling at great 
numbers of small towns in the way. 
“ The legislature is at present in session. The newspapers have 
to-day taken notice of my book and inserted my advertisement. I 
shall call on the principal people — employ an agent among some 
of the booksellers in Albany — and return home by New York.” 
Wilson remained at home only for a few days, and, though now 
winter, set out on another tour to the southward, visiting every town 
of importance as far as Savannah, in the state of Georgia, during 
which excursion he suffered considerably from the inclemency of the 
season, — the fatigue completely knocking up his horse. He was, 
however, gratified by it ; and, in addition to a few subscribers, 
procured several friends, and some information useful to the future 
volumes. He had also an opportunity of renewing his acquaint- 
ance with the President at Washington, and the former misunder- 
standing regarding the expedition to the Mississippi, seems to have 
been mutually forgotten. He says, — “ The President received me 
very kindly. I asked for nobody to introduce me, but merely sent 
him a line that I was there, when he ordered me to be immediately 
admitted. He has given me a letter to a gentleman in Virginia, 
who is to introduce me to a person there, who, Mr Jefferson says, 
has spent his whole life in studying the manners of our birds, and 
from whom I am to receive a world of facts and observations.” 
He did not return till March, 1809, having been absent above 
three months, and the fatigue and expense of travelling obliged him 
to return by sea. Immediately before going on board, he thus 
writes Mr Bartram from Savannah: 
“ Three months, my dear friend, are passed since I started from 
