XXIV. XXIV
CLARK ACCEPTS LEWIS'S INVITATION
XXIV. [Rough draft, by Clark. From original MS. in possession of Mrs. Julia Clark Voorhis and
Miss Eleanor Glasgow Voorhis.]
Clarksville 17th July 1803
Dear Lewis: I received by yesterday's Mail your letter of the
19th ulto: the contents of which I received with much pleasure. The
enterprise & Mission is such as I have long anticipated & am much
pleased with and as my situation in life will admit of my absence the
length of time necessary to accomplish such an undertaking, I will
cheerfully join you in an "official character" as mentioned in your
letter and partake of all the Dangers Difficulties & fatigues, and I
anticipate the honors & rewards of the result of such an enterprise
should we be successful in accomplishing it. This is an imense undertaking
fraited with numerous dificulties, but my friend I can assure you
that no man lives with whom I would prefer to undertake and share the
Dificulties of such a trip than yourself. I reserve nothing from you
that will add either to yr. profit or satisfaction and shall arrange my
matters as well as I can against your arrival here.
It may be necessary that you inform the president of my acceding to
the proposals, so that I may be furnished with such credentials, as the
nature of the Tour may require, which I suppose had best be forwarded
to Louisville. The objects of this Plan of Government's are great and
appear flattering the means with which we are furnished to carry it
into effect, I think are sufficiently liberal. The plan of operation which
you inform me you intended to pursue (with a small addition as to the
outfit) I highly approve of.
I shall endeavor to engage temporally such men as I think may
answer our purpose but, holding out the Idea as stated in your letter—
the subject of which has been mentioned in Louisville several weeks ago.
Pray write to me by every post, I shall be exceedingly anxious to
know where you are and how you proceed.
With every assurance of sincerity in every respect, and with affn.. yr.. fd..
& H. Srv
