XIX. XIX
JEFFERSON TO HENRY PEYROUX DE LA
COUDRENAIRE[1]
XIX. [Extract from Ford, viii. p. 199.]
Washington, July 3, 1803.
Dear Sir: Since I had the pleasure of your acquaintance in Philadelphia
in 1791, I had supposed you were returned to Europe. I have
lately however been told that you preside at present at Ste. Genevieve
& [St.] Louis. I cannot therefore omit the satisfaction of writing to
you by Capt. Lewis, an officer in our army, & for some time past my
secretary. As our former acquaintance was a mixt one of science
& business so is the occasion of renewing it. You know that
the geography of the Missouri and the most convenient water communication
from the head of that to the Pacific ocean is a desideratum
not yet satisfied. Since coming to the administration of the U. S. I
have taken the earliest opportunity in my power to have that communication
explored, and Capt. Lewis with a party of twelve or fifteen
men is authorized to do it. His journey being merely literary, to inform
us of the geography & natural history of the country, I have
procured a passport for him & his party, from the minister of France
here, it being agreed between him & the Spanish minister, that the
country having been ceded to France, her minister may most properly
give authority for the journey. This was the state of things when the
passport was given, which was some time since. But before Capt.
Lewis's actual departure we learn through a channel of unquestionable
information that France has ceded the whole country of Louisiana to
the U. S. by a treaty concluded in the first days of May. But for an
object as innocent & useful as this I am sure you will not be scrupulous
as to the authorities on which this journey is undertaken; & that you
will give all the protection you can to Capt. Lewis & his party in
going & returning. I have no doubt you can be particularly useful to
him, and it is to solicit your patronage that I trouble you with the
present letter, praying you at the same time to accept my friendly salutations
& assurances of my high respect & consideration.
