Proposition to G. R. Clark
In 1783 he proposed to General George Rogers Clark, the
hero of Kaskaskia and Vincennes, to lead an expedition "for
exploring the country from the Missisipi to California;"
he intimated that a similar enterprise was
being broached in England—"they pretend it is
only to promote knoledge. I am afraid they have thoughts
of colonising into that quarter."[1]
Nothing came of
this suggestion
—possibly Clark did not reply; or very likely Jefferson,
just then in private life, thought that the necessary funds
could not be raised.
