University of Virginia Library

LXXXII. LXXXII

CLARK TO JEFFERSON

LXXXII. [Original MS. in possession of American Philosophical Society. We follow a transcript
furnished by Secretary Hays.]

Dear Sir: I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 8th.. of
Septr., by the Mail, and with much pleasure comply with the contents.

It has ever been my wish, that the Travelling journal of Gove. Lewis &
myself, the astronomical Observations, the Geographical Charts, the
Indian Vocabularies and all Subjects of Natural history should be given
to the public in the best possible manner, and agreeably to the Original
intention—. and for that purpose I have been twice to phila.. and have
used all the means which have been in my power without the success
contemplated.

The Naritive has been published, but I have not been so fortunate
as to precure a single volume, as yet. after the death of my friend
Gove Lewis, finding the arrangements he had made relative to the publication
had failed, and the greater part of the astronomical observations
with the plates and drawings which he had directed to be made, were
not to [be] found. a new contract was made with Messrs Bradford &
Inskep, to print & publish that part, and the cientific part also, which
was to have been (by contract) prepared in Six months from the time
by Doctr. Barton. in their arrangements I have been also disappointed.

Since the failure of Bradford & Inskep, and the death of Doctr.
Barton my agent Mr. Nicholas Biddle has been requested to collect all
the Books, papers, specimens &c.

previously to my making the last arrangement, I had conversation
with the then Secretary of War on the subject of publishing Lewis &
Clarks Journal Map &c., he thought it important, but could promis
no assistance at that time.

It is with pleasure that I inclose you an Order on my friend Mr.
Biddle for the papers in his possession, relating to the Astronomical
Observations, the Geographical Charts, the Indian Vocabularies, and

other papers not comprehended in the journal of Lewis & Clarks
Travels laterly published, and the Specimins which were left in the
possession of Doctr. Barton—also the Traveling pocket Journals.

From the mortification of not haveing succeeded in giving to the
world all the results of that expedition, I feel Relief & greatitude for
the interest which you are willing to take, in effecting what has not been
in my power to accomplish.

Some time ago, I requested Mr. Biddle to deliver to Mrs.. Markes's
Order, the half of all the Books he may have received in my behalf.
The Map from which the plate was made, is in my possession at this
place; it is rough and has not been corrected and comprehends the
Connection of Country from Lat. 34°. to 50° N.

If you think it adviseable? I will make a new Map of the same size
of the one I have, corrected by such materials as I have precured since
the last was made; otherwise I shall take the liberty of sending the one
I have to you.

The Missouri River on which there is such emence tracts of fine
country calculated for rich & populous settlements, and watering an
emence space in which there is much welth in furs, Peltres, minerals,
dies &c. is tolerably well understood but not in sufficient use. The
Lands on the lower portion of that river is settling fast, the middle
portion (or as high up as the Big Bend or White river) is Crowded
with Traders, but the upper and richer portion has had no American
Citizen since the falur of the Missouri Co. 1811 and I am under great
apprehentions that the British will take possession of that rich Tract by
the way of Assinniboin & Saskassion rivers. as they have done at the
mouth of Columbia, and on Lewis & Clark's Rivers—: If a large
and over bearing company cannot be formed of American Citizens with
sufficient Capital to keep them out: I think such a Co. could be formed
with some Countrimen and a little aid from the government.

The present population of this Territory would most probably
amount to about 35 or 40.000 Soles since peace was made with the
Indians on the Mississippi the emogration has been emence bending
their course to the Missouri principally. Landed property has risen
which has inrichened the old inhabitants and reconsiled them to our
government much more than formerly.

In the exurcise of Govt.. of this Territory I have succeeded in the
worst of times with more approbation than I had expected. laterly a
small and disappointed party has Sprung up deturmined to vex & Teaze
the execution.

I am happy to have it in my power to say to you that I succeed in

keeping the Indians of this Territory (exceept those high up the
Mississippi, in peace, The Torments of this frontier was produced by
the Traders East of the Missippi & high up that River. The dificueltes
& responsibilities however were great, and in some instances I was compeled
to vary from principal, and Set the Missouri Tribes at war against
those of the Mississippi to prevent the British influence amongst the
Missouri tribes as also to prevent a coeleetion which would have destroyed
our settlements at a blow.

please to accept the assurence of my highest respect and veneration
and best wishes for your health and hapiness