University of Virginia Library

XXXIII. XXXIII

LEWIS TO CLARK

XXXIII. [From original MS. in possession of Mrs. Julia Clark Voorhis and Miss Eleanor Glasgow Voorhis.]

Dear Clark: After a most tedious and laborious passage from Pittsburgh
I have at length reached this place; it was not until the 31st of
August that I was enabled to take my departure from that place owing
to the unpardonable negligence and inattention of the boat builders who,
unfortunately for me, were a set of most incorrigible drunkards, and
with whom, neither threats, intreaties nor any other mode of treatment
which I could devise had any effect; as an instance of their tardyness
it may serfice to mention that they were 12 days in preparing my poles
and oars.

I here had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 21st of August &
the 11th of Septr.. I am much pleased with the measures you have
taken relative to the engaging the men you mention, as men of that
discription only will answer our purposes; I scarcely suppose that such
as you have conceived not fully qualifyed for this service will by any
means meet my approbation; your ideas in the subject of a judicious
scelection of our party perfectly comport with my own. I have two
young men with me whom I have taken on trial and have not yet
engaged them, but conditionally only, tho' I think they will answer
tolerably well; there are a party of soldiers, 6 or 8 in number, now at
Massac waiting my arrival. They were scelected from the troops in
the state of Tennessee by Majr.. MacRae, perhaps most of these will
answer; I am also authorized to scelect by voluntary engagement any
men from the Companys of Capts.. R & D Bissel's and Stoddart's now
occupying the posts of Massac & Kaskaskias; from these I think we
shall be enabled to form our party without much difficulty; 4 or five
french water-men I conceive will be essential, this we can do I presume
very readily at St. Louis.

The amount of the monthly compensation (or 10$) which you have

mention to the men is precisely what I have calculated on; I shall
cloth and subsist the men I have with me, these will of course form
a proper charge against the U. States and in addition to the monthly
wages of a private will as estimated by the Secretary of War and myself
amount to reather more than 10$ pr.. month.

I do not much regret the loss of Mr. Connor for several reasons
which I shall mention to you when we meet; he has deceived me very
much.

It is probable before the receipt of this letter that I shall be with
you; I shall leave this the day after to-morrow.

Adieu and believe me your very sincere friend and associate
Meriwether Lewis