Avetik ’ 
ihe following' Memoir is ext* i n< 
the National Intelligencer of t*‘ e 23d,ul ‘* 
with some slight alterations by the au¬ 
thor—and the addition of the note. and 
diagrams, which were omitted at Wasn 
iiigton for want of the plates. 
Cincinnati, feu. 28, lS^jh 
I HOPED, ere this, to have been supported in 
my new theory' of the earth by many pupils, 
ucit find that most of'those who have written are 
inclined to oppose me. 1 would prefer having 
an advocate to state my views; because in pro¬ 
portion to their extent, I may subject myself to 
the imputation of extravagance or ostentation, 
especially as, while l write, 1 naturally feel ela¬ 
ted with my discovery. I am, perhaps, better 
fitted for thinking than writing, Reared at the! 
plough, I seldom used a pen'(except in a com-, 
monplace book'l until I changed my plough¬ 
share for a sword, at the age of 22, not where¬ 
with to carve a fortune, (having already an am¬ 
ple farm by the liberality of my revered uncle, 
after whom I was named,) but to merit and ob¬ 
tain distinction, and accumulate knowledge, 
which I had seldom tasted but in borrowed 
books. V ith respect to the latter, the world is 1 
now to judge of my success; and, in relation to 
the former, I at least may say I satisfied myself 
and fellow-soldiers, if not my country—not only 
at Bridgewater on our left, and the sortie of 
Fort Erie in the van, but throughout my thirteen 
years’ service, ending with the war. 
I presume, few have inquired more devoted¬ 
ly than myself into the reason and origin ol ah 
that occurred to view. 1 remember, when at 
the age of 11, (in Jersey) while reading a large 
edition of Cook’s Voyages, my lather (thoug i 
himself a lover of learning) reproved me lot 
spending so much of my time from work, ant 
said I was a book-roomi. About the same age 
used to harangue my playmates in the slice > 
and describe how the earth turned round ; u 
then, as now, however correct my positions, 
got few or no advocates. I must not, however, 
say I get no advocates, for I have several. I P :u " 
ticularly boast of two ladies, of bright and well 
informed minds, on the banks of the Missoni i, 
who are able and earnest advocates, and devo¬ 
ted pupils : to them is due the credit oi being 
the first to adopt what the world is so tardy in, 
admitting. But, Col. Dixon, who lias traded on 
Lake Winepec, with the Indians, is, 1 presume, 
the most important pupil l have obtained, or 
has long been actively engaged in the Nort h a es 
Company and fur trade. He declared, in out | 
first interviews, that 1 was certainly correct; | 
and stated to me many important, otherwise in¬ 
explicable, circumstances occurring high n* 
the north, that were completely solved by m - 
Principle- he is regarded by such as have long 
bow,, bm at St l-T 5 ’ ” a Rentlema* of a 
