ALEXANDER WILSON. 
lxix 
for the three following days. It has now begun in the Alleghany, 
and, at the moment I write, the river presents a white mass of 
rushing ice. 
“ The country beyond the Ohio, to the west, appears a mono- 
tonous and hilly region. The Monongahela is lined with arks, 
usually called Kentucky boats, waiting for the rising of the river, 
and the absence of the ice, to descend. A perspective view of 
the town of Pittsburgh 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 con- 
tinued it for four days. I succeeded beyond expectation, having 
got nineteen names of the most wealthy and respectable part of 
the inhabitants. The industry of Pittsburgh is remarkable ; every 
body you see is busy; and, as a proof of the prosperity of the place, 
an eminent lawyer told me, that there has not been one suit insti- 
tuted against a merchant of the town these three years. 
“ Gentlemen here assure me, that the road to Chilocothe is 
impassable on foot, by reason of the freshes. I have, therefore, 
resolved to navigate myself in 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 Chilocothe, I should miss five towns as 
large as it. Some say that I ought not to attempt going down by 
myself — others think I ma}^. 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. 
f‘ February 23. — My baggage is on board ; I have just to despatch 
this and set off. The weather is fine, and I have no doubt of 
piloting my skiff in safety to Cincinnati. Farewell ! God bless you.” 
