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...
3From Thomas Jefferson to John Jacob Astor, 13 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have regretted the delay of this answer to your letter of Feb. 27. but it has proceeded from circumstances which did not depend on me. I learn with great satisfaction the disposition of our merchants to form into companies for undertaking the Indian trade within our own territories. I have been taught to believe it is an advantageous one for the individual adventurers, and I consider it as...