1From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been in hopes you would arrive here in time, with me, to make a little excursion to Albemarle, where I supposed it would be as agreeable to you to see your friends, as necessary to me to make some arrangements for my final removal hither. I shall stay there till the 29th. & then return. the time of your arrival here therefore, & your own inclinations will decide whether you follow me...
2IV. Instructions for Meriwether Lewis, 20 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
To Meriwether Lewis esquire, Captain of the 1st Regiment of infantry of the United States of America. Your situation as Secretary of the President of the United States has made you acquainted with the objects of my confidential message of Jan. 18. 1803. to the legislature: you have seen the act they passed, which, tho’ expressed in general terms, was meant to sanction those objects, and you...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 23 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able to hear any thing of you since Mar. 7. till two or three days ago, Lieutt. Wilson told me you would leave Frederic the 18th. inst. & that you had been detained till then at Harper’s ferry, where Capt Murray also told me he had seen you. I have no doubt you have used every possible exertion to get off, and therefore we have only to lament what cannot be helped, as the delay...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 27 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 20th from Lancaster was recieved the night before last. not having heard from you since the time of my leaving Washington, I had written to you on the 23d. and lodged it in Philadelphia. you will therefore probably recieve that & this together. I inclose you a copy of the rough draught of instructions I have prepared for you, that you may have time to consider them, & to propose...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 30 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I think we spoke together of your carrying some steel or cast iron corn mills to give to the Indians or to trade with them, as well as for your own use. lest however I should be mistaken, I mention them now. I make no doubt you have consulted with mr Ellicot as to the best instruments to carry. I would wish that nothing which passed between us here should prevent your following his advice,...
6I. Draft Cipher Table, [April 1803?] (Jefferson Papers)
The man whose mind on virtue bent ujh qft epxbp yvas dd maknpa zcmu the equivalent of the 1st. lre is taken from the 1st. col. of the 2d from the 2d
7From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 16 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th: is this moment recieved, & I hasten to answer it by return of post, that no time may be lost. the copy of instructions sent you are only a rough draught for consideration. they will not be signed or dated till your departure. presuming you would procure all the necessary instruments at Philadelphia, which is a principal object of your journey there, the instructions say...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 4 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In the journey which you are about to undertake for the discovery of the course and source of the Missisipi, and of the most convenient water communication from thence to the Pacific ocean, your party being small, it is to be expected that you will encounter considerable dangers from the Indian inhabitants. should you escape those dangers and reach the Pacific ocean, you may find it imprudent...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 11 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you your pocket book left here. if the dirk will appear passable by post, that shall also be sent, when recieved. your bridle, left by the inattention of Joseph in packing your saddle, is too bulky to go in that way. we have not recieved a word from Europe since you left us. be so good as to keep me always advised how to direct to you. accept my affectionate salutations &...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 15 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I dropped you a line on the 11th. inst. and last night recieved yours of the 8th. last night also we recieved the treaty from Paris ceding Louisiana according to the bounds to which France had a right. price 11¼ millions of Dollars besides paying certain debts of France to our citizens which will be from 1. to 4. millions. I recieved also from Mr. La Cepede at Paris, to whom I had mentioned...