ALEXANDER WILSON. Ixxiii 
whose existence, so far from being forgotten, is as dear 
to me as my own. But, David, an ambition of being 
distinguished in the literary world has required sacrifices 
and exertions from me with which you are unacquainted ; 
and a wish to reach the glorious rock of independence, 
that I might from thence assist my relatives, who are 
struggling with, and buffeting the billows of adversity, has 
engaged me in an undertaking more laborious and extensive 
than you are aware of, and has occupied almost every 
moment of my time for several years. Since February, 
1810, I have slept, for several weeks, in the wilderness 
alone, in an Indian country, with my gun and my pistols 
in my bosom ; and have found myself so reduced by 
sickness, as to be scarcely able to stand, when not within 
300 miles of a white settlement, and under the burning 
latitude of 25 degrees. I have, by resolution, surmounted 
all these, and other obstacles, in my Avay to my object, 
and now begin to see the blue sky of independence open 
around me.” 
Before concluding the account of this, his most exten- 
sive journey, we may present a few extracts from his 
journal, given by the American Biographer, as specimens 
of the diversified treatment which he experienced, — at 
times cold and forbidding, at times civil and kind, accor- 
ding to the habits, dispositions, and civilization of those 
with whom he met. 
“ March 9 Visited a number of the literati and 
wealthy of Cincinnati, who all told me, that they would 
think of it, viz. of subscribing ; they are a very thought- 
ful people. 
“ March 17 Rained and hailed all last night. Set 
off at eight o’clock, after emptying my boat of the deluge 
of water ; rowed hard all day ; at noon recruited myself 
with some biscuits, cheese, and American wine ; reach 
the falls ; night sets in ; hear the roaring of the rapids ; 
after excessive hard work, arrived at Bear Grass Creek, and 
