Previous to my departure from England, on a second visit to the United States, I had the honour and gratification of being presented to his Royal Highness the DUKE OF SUSSEX, who graciously favoured me with a general letter of recommendation to the authorities in the British colonies. With others of a similar nature I was also honoured by the Noble Lords STANLEY, PALMERSTON, HOWICK, and GODERICH.
We sailed on the 1st of August 1831, and landed at New York, where I spent a few days only, and proceeded to Philadelphia. There I found my old and firm friends HARLAN, WETHERELL, PICKERING, SULLY, NORRIS, WALSH, and others, a few subscribers, and some diplomas. I had now two assistants, one from London, Mr WARD, the other a highly talented Swiss, Mr GEORGE LEHMAN. At Washington I received from the heads of our Government letters of assistance and protection along the frontiers, which it was my intention to visit. For these acts of kindness and encouragement, without which my researches would have been more arduous and less efficient, I am much indebted, and gratefully offer my acknowledgments, to Major-General M'COMB, General JESSUP, General GRATIOT, the Honourable Messrs M'LEAN, LIVINGSTON, and WOODBURY, to Colonel JOHN ABERT, and others, whose frank and prompt attentions will never be forgotten by me. I need not say that towards our President and the enlightened members of the civil, military, and naval departments, I felt the deepest gratitude for the facilities which they thus afforded me. All received me in the kindest manner, and accorded to me whatever I desired of their hands. How often did I think of the error committed by WILSON, when, instead of going to Washington, and presenting himself to President JEFFERSON, he forwarded his application through an uncertain medium. He, like myself, would doubtless have been received with favour, and obtained his desire. How often have I thought of the impression his piercing eye would have made on the discriminating and learned President, to whom, in half the time necessary for reading a letter, he might have said six times as much as it contained. But, alas! WILSON, instead of presenting himself, sent a substitute, which, it seems, was not received by the President, and which, therefore, could not have answered the intended end. How pleasing was it to me to find in our Republic, young as she is, the promptitude to encourage science occasionally met with in other countries. Methinks I am now bidding adieu to the excellent men who so kindly received me, and am still feeling the pressure of their hands indicative of a cordial wish for the success of my undertaking. May He who gave me being and inspired me with a desire to study his wondrous works, grant me the means of proving to my country the devotedness with which I strive to render myself not unworthy of her!