XXVIII. XXVIII
LEWIS TO JEFFERSON
XXVIII. [From original MS. in Bureau of Rolls Jefferson Papers, series 2, vol. 51, doc. 101.]
Pittsburgh, July 26th. 1803.
Dear Sir: I have recieved as yet no answer from Mr. Clark: in
the event of Mr. Clark's declining to accompany me Lieut Hooke[1]
of
this place has engaged to do so, if permitted; and I think from his
disposition and qualifications that I might safely calculate on being as
ably assisted by him in the execution of the objects of my mission, as
I could wish, or would be, by any other officer in the Army. Lieut.
Hooke is about 26 years of age, endowed with a good constitution,
possessing a sensible well informed mind, is industrious, prudent and
persevering, and withall intrepid and enterprising: he has acted as
Military Agent at this place for a few months past, and of course will
have some public accounts to adjust, tho' he tells me he can settle those
accounts, deliver the public stores to the person who may be directed to
take charge of them, and prepare to go with me, at any time, within the
course of a day or two. Should I recieve no answer from Mr. Clark
previous to my leaving this place, or he decline going with me, I would
be much gratifyed with being authorized to take Lieut. Hooke with me,
first directing him to settle his public accounts, and make such disposition
of the publick stores as the Secretary of War may think proper
to direct. There is a Capt. Reed of the Artly. here, who will probably
not leave this place untill an answer can be recieved, or if he should,
Majr. Craig of Pittsburgh would take charge of the stores untill an
officer could be ordered on for that purpose.
It is probable that you will have left Washington before this letter
can reach that place, and if so, knowing the delay incident to a communication
between yourself and the Secretary of War at such a
distance, and conceiving that it would be necessary that he should
decide whether from the nature of his arrangements Lieut. Hooke could
leave his present station with propriety or not, or his place be supplyed
without injury to the public service, I have thought it best to inclose
this letter to him unsealed, with the request that should you be absent,
he would read it and give me an answer on the subject of it as early as
possible. It is most probable that I shall leave Pittsburgh before an
answer can be returned to this letter, I take the liberty therefore to
suggest, that the answer to me had better be inclosed to Lieut Hooke,
unsealed, with instructions to him that in the event of my absence, he
should read it, and govern himself accordingly. If Lieu
t. Hooke sets
out twenty days after me, by taking the rout of Limestone, Louisville
and Vincennes he will reach the mouth of the Missourie as early as
I shall.
I am with the most sincere attatchment Your Obt. Servt.
Meriwether Lewis.
The President of the United States.
