lxvi 
LIFE OF 
and support. A short time before the publication of the second 
volume, when he was relieved from the press of business by the 
completion of its various materials, he wrote the following letter 
to Mr Bartram, from which it would appear, that the extensive 
expedition, the events of which will be presently detailed in a 
series of excellent letters to Mr Lawson, was intended to have 
been undertaken in company: — 
“ Philadelphia, November 11 , 1809 . 
“ Dear Sir, — Since I parted from you yesterday evening, I 
have ruminated a great deal on my proposed journey ; I have con- 
sidered the advantages and disadvantages of the three modes of 
proceeding, — on horseback, in the stage coach, and on foot. Taking 
every thing into view, I have at length determined to adopt the 
last, as being the cheapest; the best adapted for examining the 
country we pass through ; the most favourable to health ; and, in 
short, except for its fatigues, the best mode for a scientific traveller 
or naturalist, in every point of view. I have also thought, that, by 
this determination, I will be so happy as to secure your company, 
for which I would willingly sustain as much hardship, and as many 
deprivations, as I am able to bear. 
“ If this determination should meet your approbation, and if you 
are willing to encounter the hardships of such a pedestrian journey, 
let me know as soon as is convenient. I think one dollar a-day 
each will be fully sufficient for our expenses, by a strict regard, at 
all times, to economy.” 
Bartram did not, however, accompany him, most probably pre- 
vented, or comparatively unable, from his increasing years; and 
Wilson set out alone for Pittsburgh, on his ornithological pilgrimage, 
in the end of January, 1810. His adventures and successes are 
sketched in the following letters, some of which were published in 
the year following in the Portfolio : — 
To Mr Alexander Lawson. 
“ Pittsburgh, j February 2 * 2 , 1810 . 
“ Dear Sir, — From this first stage of my ornithological pil- 
grimage, I sit down with pleasure to give you some account of my 
