XLII. XLII
LEWIS TO CLARK
XLII. [From original MS. In Possession of Mrs. John Clark Voorhis and Miss Eleanor Glasgow Voorhis.]
Camp at River Dubois Febr 18th 1804.
My Dear Friend: Not anything of moment has occurred since
you left us. My detention has been caused by a visitation on the 13th
& 14 inst. from a principal Chief of the Kickapoo nation, whom I
have been anxious to see for some time past for several reasons, as also
the arrival of the contractor with whom some little arrangements were
necessary; being disappointed in geting down to the ball on the 14th
and finding more to do when I began to look about me than I had
previously thought of I determined it would be as well to go to work
and postpone my visit to Cahokia & St. Louis a few days.
If Mr. Manuei [Lisa] will let us have the men you mention, pray
engage them immediately, if you think from their appearance and
characters they will answer the purpose.
My complyments to Mr. C. Chouteau and inform him if you pleasce
that nothing has given me more pleasure than the proposition he has
made to you on the subject of the Osages—that as he wishes every
circumstance in relation to this affair shall be kept a profount secret. I
wish him not only to bring in some of those Chiefs (the number hereafter
to be agreed on) but wish him to attend them to the seat of the
Government of the U. States provided he can make it convenient to do
so; I presume the Chiefs would come more readily provided Mr.
Chouteau would make them a promise to that effect; I am as anxious
as Mr. C. can be that he should set out on this mission as early as
possible, and shall therefore be with you the day after tomorrow for
the purpose of conscerting the necessary measures. My complyments
to the Govr., Lassuse and Monsr.. Dabuke & Mon
rs- Gratiott and A.
Chouteau—not foregetting my most profound respects to Meam Manuel.
I am with the most sincere respect your friend
M. Lewis Capt. etc.
