1Thomas Jefferson to John Jacob Astor, 9 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 18. has been duly rec d and I learn with great pleasure the progress you have made towards an establishment on Columbia river . I view it as the germ of a great, free & independant empire on that side of our continent, and that liberty & self government spreading from that as well as this side will ensure their compleat establishment over the whole. it must be still more...
2Thomas Jefferson to John Jacob Astor, 24 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 14. lingered much on the road & a long journey, before I could answer it, has delayed it’s acknolegement till now. I am sorry your enterprise for establishing a factory on the Columbia river , and a commerce thro’ the line of that river and the Missouri , should meet with the difficulties stated in your letter. I remember well having invited your proposition on that...