University of Virginia Library

XV. XV

LEWIS TO JEFFERSON

XV. [From original MS. in Bureau of Rolls—Jefferson Papers, series 2, vol. 51, doc. 99.]

Dear Sir: I have at length so far succeeded in making the necessary
preparations for my intended journey as to be enabled to fix on the
sixth or seventh of June as the probable time of my departue for Washington.
All the article have been either procured; or are in such state
of forwardness in the hands of the workmen as to induce me to hope
that my stay here after that period will be unnecessary; indeed it is
probable I might set out by the middle of this week, was it not for a
wish to attend Mr. Patterson a few days longer; this Mr. Patterson
recommends; he has been extreemly obliging to me since my arrival
here, but his avocations for the last ten days have been such, as rendered
it impossible for him to afford me the benefit of his instructions; in
the meantime I have employed myself in attending more immediately to
the objects of my equipment, and am now more at leasure to pursue with
effect the subjects to which, he may think proper to direct my attention.

Agreeably to your instructions the draught of your orders prepared for
my government, has been submitted to Mr. Patterson, and to Drs. Rush
Barton & Wister; they approve of them very highly: Dr. Rush has
favored me with some abstract queries under the several heads of Physical
History, medicine, morals and religeon of the Indians, which I have no
doubt will be servicable in directing my inquiries among that people.
Drs. Barton and Wister have each pomised to contribute in like manner
any thing, which may suggest itself to them as being of any importance
in furthering the objects of this expedition. Dr. Barton has sometimes
flattered me with the pleasure of his company as far as the Illinois;
this event would be extreemly pleasing to me for many reasons; I fear
the Dr. will not carry this design into effect; he tells me that his health
has been pretty good latterly, and that he is determined to travel in some
direction two or three months during the ensuing summer and autumn.

I paid Mr. Dufief 74$ and Dr. Bolman 18$. I have also purchased
a Vigogna blanket, of which I hope you will approve; it is about the

size of a common three point Blanket, the skins appear to be two thin
for rough service, tho' it is a very pretty thing; it is the best I could
find, the price was 10$. The Tiger's skin you requested I have not
been able to procure, those I have seen appear to be too small for
your purpose, perhaps they may be had in Baltimore if so, I will get one
at that place The 2 pole chain & 2 pair of fleecy socks have also been
procured. I recieved your watch this morning from Mr. Voigt, who
tells me shee is well regulated and in perfect order. Mr. Whitney has
not yet repared your sextant tho' it was put into his hands immediately
on my arrival; he has promised however, after repeated applications,
that it shall be ready tomorrow evening: he seemed unwilling to
undertake the alteration you wished in the brass Sextant stand, I therefore
declined having the alteration made: I was further induced to this
resolution from the opinion of Mr. Ellicott, who thought that the ball
and socket would be reather a disadvantage than otherwise, and that in
every event he concieved the advantages of the ball and socket would
not be equivalent to the expence attending the alteration.

I have writen again to Dr. Dickson at Nashville, from whom I have
not yet heard on the subject of my boat and canoe. I have recieved an
answer from Majr. MacRea, Comdt. at S. W. Point; his report is reather
unfavorable to my wishes: he tells me out of twenty men who have
volunteered their services to accompany me, not more than three or
four do by any means possess the necessary qualifications for this expedition,
or who answer the discription which I had given him; this
however I must endeavour to remedy by taking with me from that
place a sufficient number of the best of them to man my boat, and if
possible scelect others of a better discription as I pass the Garrisons
of Massac, Kaskaskais & Illinois.

You will receive herewith inclosed some sketches taken from Vancouver's
survey of the Western Coast of North America; they were
taken in a hasty manner, but I believe they will be found sufficiently
accurate to be of service in composing the map, which Mr. Gallatin was
so good as to promise he would have projected and compleated for me
will you be so obliging Sir, as to mention to Mr. Gallatin, that I have
not been able to procure Danvill's map. The maps attatched to Vancouver's
voyage cannot be procured seperately from that work, which is
both too costly, and too weighty, for me either to purchase or carry.

I have the honor to be with the most sincere esteem and attatchment