MEMOIR OF 
xliv 
« But my venerable friend, Mr Bartram, taking into 
more serious consideration bis advanced age, being near 
seventy, and the weakness of his eyesight, and apprehen- 
sive of his inability to encounter the fatigues and privations 
unavoidable in so extensive a tour; and having, to my 
extreme regret, and the real loss of science, been induced 
to decline the journey, I had reluctantly abandoned the 
enterprize, and all hopes of accomplishing my purpose.; 
till, hearing that your Excellency had it in contemplation 
to send travellers this ensuing summer up the Red River, 
the Arkansaw, and other tributary streams of the Missis- 
sippi, and believing that my services might be of advantage 
to some of these parties, in promoting your Excellency ? s 
design, while the best opportunities would be afforded me 
of procuring subjects for the work which I have so much 
at heart, — under these impressions, I beg leave to offer 
myself for any of those expeditions ; and can be ready at 
a short notice to attend your Excellency’s orders. 
Accustomed to the hardships of travelling,. — without 
a family, — and an enthusiast in the pursuit of natural 
history, I will devote my whole powers to merit your 
Excellency’s approbation ; and ardently wish for an op- 
portunity of testifying the sincerity of my professions, 
and the deep veneration with which I have the honour to 
be, sir, your obedient servant, 
Kingsess, 6th Feb. 1806. Alex. Wilson.” 
To this manly and respectful application, Mr Jeffersop, 
though possessing proofs of Wilson’s talents and qualifi- 
cations, in some splendid drawings which had previously 
been sent him, forgetful alike of the duties of his station, 
and the common courtesies of life, returned not one word 
of reply. So much for the encouragement given by the 
highest person in the land of liberty to the cultivation 
of science and literature ! It was right that Wilson, 
and with him the world, should see that a republic, if 
c 
