Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-04
From The Charleston .Nercnry.)

Letters have recently been received in this city,
from this distinguished Naturalist, dated lo!h May
Vern,illion River, 200 miles above St Louis, in sight
of The Rocky Mountains. He and his party were in
good health and by their industry md research had al
ready made considerable additions TO the natural history
of those distant and but partially explored regions
In order 10 correct many erroneous statements that
have for some time been going the rounds of the news
papers, both in America and Europe, it may be as well
10 state the true objects of this expedition.
Mr. Audubon is, IN no respect, the agent OF The Co.
vernment, and his expedition IS wholly unconnected
either with the politics or commerce OF the country
II is purely scientific, and al his own private expense
The Government, usual in such casea, affords his
party safe convoy from Military post TO the other,
and such protection and assistance are consistent
with the regulations of the Military department The
Missouri Fur company has also rendered them the Tree
use their steamboats,, and such other modes of
veyance as will facilitate their researches in natural
science. Mr. Audubon, although he intends ascending
the Rocky Mountains, has al present no idea OF Cross
ing them, but, DESTROYS of extending his researches
10 those vast UNEMPLOYED regions lying 10 the East oil
that great alpine chain believing, with most naturalists
that the researches Of men of science are likely TO be
attic nded with the Atlantic than on the
Pacific side Of the Mountains. Those regions lying
between the Russian settlements the North, and the
Southern point Of California the South, and the
Rocky Mountains the East, have been pretty care
fully explored by the English Naturalists, Douglass
Orummond, Richardson and others, and by our Anne
On the other hand those plains lying between The
Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi, from the head
waters Of the Missouri TO the Sabine still remain TO q
very considerable extent terra incogna 10 Natural
lists. To these regions, MIR. Audubon and party will
confine themselves during the present Summer, and
they hope return their homes by the next Winter
Audubon is at present engaged in collecting mate
rails for The History Of the American Qnadrupcds.-
This will give him fame, but at expense of vast
amount of labor and pecuniary sacrifice. Such are
4 h0 ,tpn h,P 1dap0 10
enlarge the boundaries Of knowledge. Audubon has
left the refined society and all the endearmenls of home
the Banks Of the Hudson 10 encounter the peris Of
the wilderness and pralries of the far West For the
next six months he will scarcely the face of q
white man, save those OF his party. His food
will consist Of the animals that over the pralries
- Deprived Of The shelter of civilized men, he will
nightly pitch his tent among the vast fields of wild
flowers that give such charm TO the Western land
scape, the skirts of the wilderness at foot Of
the rapid, some gorge Of the capped mountains
His nearest neighbors will be III. Elk, The Antelope,
the Buffalo or Grizzly Bear the Sioux and the Black
foot Indians
Audubon is accompanied by his friend Edward Har.
ris of New Jersey, gentleman of wealth, OF travel
and good naturalist, who his associate IN former
visit 10 Texas, Ike Sabine river and IN exploring the
Gulf of Mexico. He has engaged MIR. Sprague, OF
Massachusetts, 20 aid him in delineating such new
plants reptiles and insects mag he discovered, whilst
he will paint the Quadrupeds and Birds MIR. Bell oil
New York an excellent Pachydermst, is engaged IN
preparing specimens, and he has, moreover several
other ASSISTANTS in his employ, 10 aid him in procuring
and preserving such materials in every branch Of aa,u.
raj science, will aid him in investigating the natural
history OF his native country.
America and the world, already debt OF graft
tude to Audubon, for his successful investigation in
one branch Of natural scence-he is preparing in his
old age make still farther contributions in other de
parmens.
We trust he may return in health and spirits, crown
ed with success-that his labors may be duly appre-
cia'cd by his countrymen they are by the men of
science in Europe, and that he may live to enjoy the
fame to which his untirng industry, his pers, his sa
CRITICS. and his talents so much entitle him. J. b.