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Journals |
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(1814) History of the expedition under the command of Captains Lewis and Clark,
to the sources of the Missouri: thence across the Rocky mountains and down
the river Columbia to the Pacific ocean; performed during the years 1804-5-6;
by order of the government of the United States, volume 1. This version, available
online in the First America West collection, includes both original page
scans and
transcriptions. Although this publication was prepared for the press by Paul Allen,
it is believed that the text was written by Nicholas Biddle from Lewis and Clark's
notes.
A second version,
including only page scans, is available in Meeting of the
Frontiers and is easily navigable using the table of contents.
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(1814) History of the expedition under the command of Captains Lewis and Clark,
to the sources of the Missouri: thence across the Rocky mountains and down the river Columbia
to the
Pacific ocean; performed during the years 1804-5-6; by order of the government of the United
States, volume 2. This version, available online in the First America West collection includes
both original page scans and transcriptions. Although this publication was prepared for the
press by Paul Allen, it is believed that the text was written by Nicholas Biddle from Lewis and
Clark's notes.
A second version, including only page scans, is available in Meeting of the Frontiers
and is easily navigable using the table of contents.
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Letters and Related Documents |
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(January 18, 1803) Thomas Jefferson to Congress
In addition to the text of Jefferson's January 18, 1803 secret
message to Congress proposing a westward expedition, these papers
include a February 28, 1803 letter to Casper Wistar discussing
Meriwether Lewis as leader of the expedition and an April 27, 1803
letter to Lewis outlining instructions for the trip.
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(May 16, 1803) Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis
Jefferson writes to Lewis stressing that the instructions
sent earlier were a "rough draught." Lewis is
to be responsible for procuring all of his supplies and
the instructions will not be signed until his departure. |
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(October 3, 1803) Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson
Lewis writes from Cincinnati, Ohio and describes a visit to Big Bone lick
where Dr. William Goforth had recently discovered the complete skeleton of a
mammoth. He includes detailed descriptions of his observations. He requests that
Jefferson send him a copy of the latest treaty between France and the United States. |
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(October 31, 1803) Letter from Albert Gallatin to William C. C. Claiborne
Thomas Jefferson appointed Claiborne governor of the Territory of
Orleans and one of two commissioners charged with overseeing the transfer
of the Louisiana Territory to the United States. Gallatin, Jefferson's Secretary of
the Treasury, offered instruction and advice in this letter for taking over an area that
was formerly under Spanish control. |
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(January 22, 1804) Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis
Jefferson sends Lewis a political update on the status of New Orleans and
encourages him to make friendly impressions in any contacts with the Sioux.
He informs him that he has been made a member of the Philosophical Society. |
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(May 18, 1804) Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson
This is a handwritten list of the specimens forwarded to Jefferson by Peter
Chouteau. Lewis states that the items were presented to him by Mr. Chouteau
who received them from the Osage Indians. A transcription of this list can be
found on the National Park Service Web site. |
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(April 7, 1805) Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson
From Fort Mandan, Lewis sends Jefferson an invoice detailing
geologic, plant and mammal specimens he is sending to Washington.
He also mentions that he has corresponded with the Secretary of War about the
geography of the area and Indian nations he has encountered. He notes that as
the barge and crew return to St. Louis with these items, the rest of the
expedition will continue their journey up the Missouri. |
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(September 23, 1806) Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson
Lewis writes to Jefferson saying that he has arrived at Saint Louis
and that he has successfully penetrated the Continent of
North America to the Pacific Ocean. He describes the most
practical route across the West and praises Captain Clark's efforts. |
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