LXXXI. LXXXI
JEFFERSON TO ABBÉ CORREA DA SERRA[1]
LXXXI. [Original MS. in possession of American Philosophical Society. We follow a transcript furnished
by Secretary I. Minis Hays.]
Poplar Forest, April 26, 16.
Dear Sir: Your favor of Mar. 29. was recieved just as I was setting
out for this place. I brought it with me to be answered hence. Since
you are so kind as to interest yourself for Capt. Lewis's papers, I will
give you a full statement of them.
1.
ten or twelve such pocket volumes, Morocco bound, as that you
describe, in which, in his own hand writing, he had journalised all
occurrences, day by day, as he travelled. they were small 8vos. and
opened at the end for more convenient writing. every one had been
put into a separate tin case, cemented to prevent injury from wet. but
on his return the cases, I presume, had been taken from them, as he
delivered me the books uncased. there were in them the figures of some
animals drawn with the pen while on his journey. the gentlemen who
published his travels must have had these Ms. volumes, and perhaps
now have them, or can give some account of them.
2.
Descriptions of animals and plants. I do not recollect whether
there was such a book or collection of papers, distinct from his journal;
altho' I am inclined to think there was one: because his travels as
published, do not contain all the new animals of which he had either
descriptions or specimens. mr Peale, I think, must know something
of this, as he drew figures of some of the animals for engraving, and
some were actually engraved. perhaps Conrad, his bookseller, who was
to have published the work, can give an account of these.
3.
Vocabularies. I had myself made a collection of about 40 vocabularies
of the Indians on this side the Missisipi, and Capt. Lewis was
instructed to take those of every tribe beyond, which he possibly could:
the intention was to publish the whole, and leave the world to search
for affinities between these and the languages of Europe and Asia. he
was furnished with a number of printed vocabularies of the same words
and form I had used, with blank spaces for the Indian words. he was
very attentive to this instruction, never missing an opportunity of taking
a vocabulary. after his return, he asked me if I should have any
objection to the printing his separately, as mine were not yet arranged
as I intended. I assured him I had not the least; and I am certain he
contemplated their publication. but whether he had put the papers out
of his own hand or not, I do not know. I imagine he had not: and
it is probable that Doctr. Barton, who was particularly curious on this
subject, and published on it occasionally, would willingly recieve and
take care of these papers after Capt Lewis's death, and that they are
now among his papers.4.
his observations of longitude and latitude. he was instructed to
send these to the war-office, that measures might be taken to have the
calculations made. whether he delivered them to the war-office, or to
Dr. Patterson, I do not know; but I think he communicated with
Dr. Patterson concerning them. these are all-important: because
altho', having with him the Nautical almanacs, he could & did calculate
some of his latitudes, yet the longitudes were taken merely from estimates
by the log-line, time and course. So that it is only as to latitudes
that his map may be considered as tolerably correct; not as to its
longitudes.
5.
his Map. this was drawn on sheets of paper, not put together,
but so marked that they could be joined together with the utmost
accuracy; not as one great square map, but ramifying with the courses
of the rivers. the scale was very large, and the sheets numerous, but
in perfect preservation. this was to await publication, until corrected
by the calculations of longitude and latitude. I examined these sheets
myself minutely, as spread on a floor, and the originals must be in
existence, as the Map published with his travels must have been taken
from them.
These constitute the whole. they are the property of the government,
the fruits of the expedition undertaken at such expence of
money and risk of valuable lives. they contain exactly the whole of
the information which it was our object to obtain for the benefit of our
own country and of the world. but we were willing to give to Lewis
and Clarke whatever pecuniary benefits might be derived from the
publication, and therefore left the papers in their hands, taking for
granted that their interests would produce a speedy publication, which
would be better if done under their direction. but the death of Cap
t.
Lewis, the distance and occupations of General Clarke, and the
bankruptcy of their bookseller, have retarded the publication, and
rendered necessary that the government should attend to the reclamation
& security of the papers. their recovery is now become an
imperious duty. their safest deposit as fast as they can be collected,
will be the Philosophical Society, who no doubt will be so kind as to
receive and preserve them, subject to the orders of government; and
their publication, once effected in any way, the originals will probably
be left in the same deposit. as soon as I can learn their present situation,
I will lay the matter before the government to take such order as
they think proper. As to any claims of individuals to these papers, it
is to be observed that, as being the property of the public, we are
certain neither Lewis nor Clarke would undertake to convey away the
right to them, and that they could not convey them, had they been
capable of intending it. yet no interest of that kind is meant to be
disturbed, if the individual can give satisfactory assurance that he will
promptly & properly publish them. otherwise they must be restored to
the government; & the claimant left to settle with those on whom he
has any claim. my interference will, I trust, be excused, not only from
the portion which every citizen has in whatever is public, but from the
peculiar part I have had in the design and execution of this expedition.
To you, my friend, apology is due for involving you in the trouble
of this inquiry. it must be found in the interest you take in whatever
belongs to science, and in your own kind offers to me of aid in this
research. be assured always of my affectionate friendship and respect.
