Maximilian planned at the outset of his journey to stop at New Harmony to visit the distinguished entomologist Thomas Say, who had accompanied Stephen Long's 1819-20 expedition to the Rocky Mountains and from whom Maximilian hoped to obtain advice concerning travel in the West. The stay at New Harmony proved longer than intended because the Prince contracted "a serious indisposition nearly resembling cholera." On October 23 and 30, he noted in his journal that Bodmer made drawings of New Harmony. It is not certain if this undated study is referred to in either case.

While staying at Pittsburgh through October 7, Maximilian and his companions made periodic excursions into the countryside in the interests of natural history. On September 29 Maximilian and Bodmer visited the neighboring settlement of Economy, "founded by that peculiar separatist colony from Wurttemberg," according to Maximilian's account. At Economy the Prince was delighted to discover a large building with a public assembly hall and displays of natural history specimens. He also attended a religious service presided over by George Rapp, the founder of the colony.

With stopovers at Huntington and Ebensburg, where they stayed several days waiting for Bodmer and Saynisch to catch up with them, Maximilian and Dreidoppel reached Pittsburgh around midnight on September 26. Securing accommodations at the Exchange Hotel, they were soon joined there by Bodmer and Saynisch.

On May 15th, Maximillian's party left Rotterdam for the port of Helvoet. On their arrival, Bodmer took advantage of the oppurtunity afforded by a delay in transporting the luggage ashore to make a quick pencil sketch of the city as seen from the waterfront.