1To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 21 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having acquired information & provisions of the Mandans On the evening of the 7th of Apl. 1805 we embarked with our baggage on board 2 large perogues and six small canoes at Fort Mandan—on a Voyage of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean. The party consisted of the following persons my friend and Colleague Capt. Wm Clark, Interpreters George Drewyer and Touasant Charbono, Sergts. John Ordway...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 3 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 1st. inst., a few hours only after your departure, Mr. Rapin presented me your very friendly letter of the 31st. ult., and in complyance therewith I have taken up my lodgings in the President’s house, where I feel myself much pleased, and extreamly gratifyed with the attention paid, as well by the Steward, as your other domesticks, to all matters which regard my...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 23 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with pleasure that I anounce to you the safe arrival of myself and party at 12 Obtr. today at this place with our papers and baggage. In obedience to your orders we have penitrated the Continent of North America to the Pacific Ocean, and sufficiently explored the interior of the country to affirm with confidence that we have discovered the most practicable rout which dose exist across...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 27 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit you by Genl. Dearborn your ring and Majr. Randolph’s watch. the ring has been reset with the addition of four new brilliants. knowing it to be a family piece, I directed the workman to reset it in the same stile it formerly was, but regardless of the charge he took the liberty of consulting his own taste on the subject and has made it such as I fear will not prove pleasing to you.—...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 3 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached this place on the 28th. Ult.; it being necessary to take in a further supply of provisions here, and finding my men much fatiegued with the labour to which they have been subjected in descending the river, I determined to recruit them by giving them a short respite of a few days; having now obtained the distance of five hundred miles: on the evening of the 1st. inst. I again...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 22 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11th. & 15th. Inst. were duly recieved, the former on the 18th. inst., the latter on this day. For my pocketbook I thank you: the dirk could not well come by post, nor is it of any moment to me, the knives that were made at Harper’s ferry will answer my purposes equally as well and perhaps better; it can therefore be taken care of untill my return: the bridle is of no consequence...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 29 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at length so far succeeded in making the necessary preparations for my intended journey as to be enabled to fix on the sixth or seventh of June as the probable time of my departure for Washington. All the article have been either procured, or are in such state of forwardness in the hands of the workmen as to induce me to hope that my stay here after that period will be unnecessary;...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 19 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. McKennan, the Prothonotory of Washington county Pensylvania, whom I beg leave to make known to you as a gentleman of sobriety, integrity and a sound republican in the wost of times . The pecuniary circumstances of Mr. McKennan are but moderate, his family numerous and entirely dependant on his exertions for support: thus situated he is about to remove to the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Not untill two late on friday last to answer by that days mail, did I receive your much esteemed favour of the 23rd. Ult, in it you have thought proper so far to honour me with your confidence, as to express a wish that I should accept the place of your private Secretary; I most cordially acquiesce, and with pleasure accept the office, nor were further motives necessary to induce my...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 8 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The waggon which was employed by Mr. Linnard the Military Agent at Philadelphia, to transport the articles forming my outfit, passed this place on the 28th. Ulto.—the waggoner determined that his team was not sufficiently strong to take the whole of the articles that had been prepared for me at this place and therefore took none of them; of course it became necessary to provide some other...