University of Virginia Library

XLI. XLI

JEFFERSON TO LEWIS

XLI. [From original MS. in Bureau of Rolls—Jefferson Papers, series 1, vol.10, doc. 8.]

Dear Sir: My letters since your departure have been July 11 & 15,
Nov. 16, and Jan. 13, yours recieved are of July 8, 15, 22, 25, Sept.
25, 30, & Oct. 3, since the date of the last we have no certain information
of your movements, with mine of Nov. 16, I sent you some
extracts made by myself from the journal of the agent of the trading
company of St. Louis up the Missouri. I now inclose a translation of
that journal in full for your information. in that of the 13t. inst. I inclosed
you the map of a mr Evans, a Welshman, employed by the
Spanish government for that purpose, but whose original object I believe
had been to go in search of the Welsh Indians said to be up the
Missouri. on this subject a mr Rees of the same nation established in
the Western part of Pennsylvania, will write to you. N. Orleans was
delivered to us on the 20th. of Dec. and our garrisons & government
established there. the order for the delivery of the Upper posts were
to leave N. Orleans on the 28th. and we presume all those posts will be
occupied by our troops by the last day of the present month. when
your instructions were penned, this new position was not so authentically
known as to effect the complection of your instructions. being
now become sovereigns of the country, without however any diminution
of the Indian rights of occupency we are authorised to propose to them
in direct terms the institution of commerce with them. it will now be
proper you should inform those through whose country you will pass, or
whom you may meet, that their late fathers, the Spaniards have agreed
to withdraw all their troops from all the waters & country of the
Missisipi and Missouri, that they have surrendered to us all their subjects
Spanish and French settled there, and all their posts & lands:
that henceforward we become their fathers and friends, and that we
shall endeavor that they shall have no cause to lament the change:
that we have sent you to enquire into the nature of the country & the

nations inhabiting it, to know at what places and times we must establish
stores of goods among them, to exchange for their peltries: that
as soon as you return with the necessary information we shall prepare
supplies of goods and persons to carry them and make the proper establishments:
that in the meantime, the same traders who reside among
or visit them, and who are now a part of us, will continue to supply
them as usual: that we shall endeavor to become acquainted with them
as soon as possible and that they will find in us faithful friends and
protectors. although you will pass through no settlements of the Sioux
(except seceders) yet you will probably meet with parties of them. on
that nation we wish most particularly to make a friendly impression,
because of their immense power, and because we learn they are very
desirous of being on the most friendly terms with us.

I inclose you a letter which I believe is from some one on the part
of the Philosophical society. they have made you a member, and your
diploma is lodged with me: but I suppose it safest to keep it here &
not to send it after you. mr Harvie departs tomorrow for France as
the bearer of the Louisiana stock to Paris. Capt. William Trent takes
his place with me. Congress will probably continue in session through
the month of March. your friends here and in Albemarle as far as I
recollect are well. Trist will be the Collector of N. Orleans, & his
family will go to him in the spring. Dr. Bache[1] is now in Philadelphia
& probably will not return to N. Orleans.

Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of affectionate esteem &
respect.