1From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 23 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment to the Presidency of the US. has rendered it necessary for me to have a private secretary, and in selecting one I have thought it important to respect not only his capacity to aid in the private concerns of the houshold, but also to contribute to the mass of information which it is interesting for the administration to acquire. your knolege of the Western country, of the army...
2From 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...
3IV. 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...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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,...
7I. 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
8From 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...
9Rush’s Directions to Meriwether Lewis for Preserving Health, 11 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Rush to Capt. Lewis . for preserving his health. 1. when you feel the least indisposition, do not attempt to overcome it by labour or marching. rest in a horizontal posture.—also fasting and diluting drinks for a day or two will generally prevent an attack of fever. to these preventatives of disease may be added a gentle sweat obtained by warm drinks, or gently opening the bowels by means...
10From 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...