XI. XI
JEFFERSON TO LEWIS
XI. [From original MS. in Bureau of Rolls—Jefferson Papers, series 2, vol. 51, doc. 111.]
Washington, April 27, 1803.
Dear Sir: Your's of the 20th. from Lancaster was recieved the
night before last. not having heard from you since the time of my
leaving Washington I had written to you on the 2d. and lodged it in
Philadelphia. you will therefore probably receive that & this together.
I enclose you a copy of the rough draught of the instructions I have
prepared for you, that you may have time to consider them & to propose
any modifications which may occur to yourself as useful. your
destination being known to mr. Patterson, Doctts. Wister, Rush &
Barton,[1]
these instructions may be submitted to their perusal, a considerable
portion of them being within the field of the Philosophical
society, which once undertook the same mission,[2]
I think it my duty to
consult some of it's members, limiting the communication by the necessity
of secrecy in a good degree. these gentlemen will suggest any
additions they will think useful, as has been before asked of them. we
have received information that Connor cultivates in the first degree the
patronage of the British government; to which he values ours as only
secondary. as it is possible however that his passion for this expedition
may overrule that for the British, and as I do not see that the British
agents will necessarily be disposed to counterwork us, I think Connor's
qualifications make it desireable to engage him, and that the communication
to him will be as useful, as it was certainly proper under our
former impression of him. the idea that you are going to explore the
Missisipi has been generally given out; it satisfies public curosity and
masks sufficiently the real destination. I shall be glad to hear from
you, as soon after your arrival at Philadelphia as you can form an idea
when you will leave, & when be here. accept assurances of my
constant & sincere affection.
Th. Jefferson.
Capt. M. Lewis.
