Clark engages Biddle
Clark, now
the sole surviving head of the expedition,
prompted by the indefatigable
Jefferson, appears to have
soon sought the assistance of an editor in
bringing
out the proposed publication. It seems that, probably
early in 1810, overtures were made to him
from
some literary person in Richmond, Virginia;[34]
but these he
rejected, and earnestly solicited the aid of Nicholas Biddle, of
Philadelphia. Biddle, who was descended from one of the
oldest
Philadelphia families, had graduated from Princeton in
his sixteenth year
(1801); he had been secretary to John Armstrong,
our minister to France (1804), and while in Paris bad
superintended
the payment of American claims growing out
of the Louisiana Purchase
—in this capacity greatly surprising
the French officials both by
his brilliancy and his youth-After
travelling extensively in Europe, he became secretary to
Mr. Monroe
while the latter was minister to Great Britain
but in 1807 returned to
practise law in Philadelphia. At the
time of Clark's invitation, Biddle
was but twenty-four years
of age; nevertheless he had already attained
considerable
reputation as a financier, lawyer, and man of letters—
in the
last-named field being editor of the Port-folio—and socially
was by many considered
both the handsomest and the most
charming man in Philadelphia, as he
certainly was one of the
most cultivated. It is small wonder that Clark
selected him
as the writer of the narrative.
In his second letter to Biddle, dated February
20th, 1810,
from the home of his father-in-law, Colonel George Hancock,
near Fincastle, Virginia—then being visited by the general—
he invites his correspondent to come to him at that place,
"where I
have my books and memorandoms and stay with me
a week or two; read over
& make yourself thereby acquainted
with everything which may not be
explained in the Journals.
. . . Such parts as may not be full, I can
explain, and add
such additional matter as I may recollect. I brought the
Books with me to Copy such parts as are intended for the
Botanical
work which I shall send to Doctr Barton, and will
deliver the Books to you if you will engage to write the
naritive
&c."
On the third of March Biddle replied to Clark, regretting
"that it will be out of my power to undertake what you had
the
politeness to offer;" explaining that "My occupations
necessarily confine
me to Phila. and I have neither health nor
leisure to
do sufficient justice to the fruits of your enterprize
and ingenuity. You
cannot be long however without making
a more fortunate
selection.
Two weeks later, however (March 17), he again addressed
Clark—who was still at Fincastle—and reports having been
seen by some of the latter's friends in Philadelphia; the result
of
the conference being that he "will therefore very readily
agree to do all
that is in my power for the advancement of
the work; and I think I can
promise with some confidence
that it shall be ready as soon as the
publisher is prepared to
print it. Having made up my mind today, I am
desirous
that no delay shall occur on my part." He therefore will soon
visit the general at Fincastle. The latter replied (March 25)
with
"most sincere acknowledgements for the friendly sentiments,"
and urged an immediate visit, "as
my business calls
me to Louisiana; and nothing detains me, but the
business l
wish with you
