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220

Page 220

XII. XII

JEFFERSON TO LEWIS

XII. [From original MS. in Bureau of Rolls—Jefferson Papers, series 2, vol. 51, doc. 112.]

I think we spoke together of your carrying some cast iron corn
mills to give to the Indians or to trade with them, as well as for your
own use. lest however I should be mistaken, I mention them now.
I make no doubt you have consulted with mr Ellicot[1] as to the best
instruments to carry. I would wish that nothing that passed between
us here should prevent your following his advice, which is certainly the
best. Should a time-piece be requisite, it is possible mr. Arnold can
furnish you one. neither Ellicot nor Garnet have given me their
opinion on the substituting a meridian at land instead of observations of
time, for ascertaining longitude by the lunar motions. I presume
therefore it will not answer. accept my affectionate salutations.

Washington, Apr. 30, 1803.
 
[1]

Andrew Ellicott, who instructed Lewis in scientific surveying and use of mathematical
instruments, was a civil engineer of note in the early history of the United
States. He made the first survey of the Niagara River in 1789, laid out the city of
Washington, and in 1792 was appointed surveyor general of the United States. His
most important work was surveying the boundary between the United States and Spain
on the south, the results of which were published in 1803.—Ed.

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