4640. LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION, Preparations.—[continued].
In the journey you are
about to undertake * * * should you reach the
Pacific Ocean * * * and be * * * without
money * * * your resource * * * can only be
the credit of the United States; for which purpose
I hereby authorize you to draw on the
Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of War,
and of the Navy of the United States, according
as you may find your drafts will be most
negotiable, for the purpose of obtaining money
or necessaries for yourself and men; and I
solemnly pledge the faith of the United States
that these drafts shall be paid punctually
* * * And to give more entire satisfaction
and confidence to those who may be disposed to
aid you, I, Thomas Jefferson, President of the
United States of America, have written this
letter of general credit for you with my own
hand, and signed it with my name.—
To Captain Meriwether Lewis. Washington ed. iv, 492.
(W.
July 4, 1803)
