Thomas Jefferson to Reuben Lewis, 10 July 1805
To Reuben Lewis
Washington July 10. 05
Dear Sir
I have not yet recieved the dispatches from Capt Lewis which we know to have arrived at St. Louis. it is probable they are coming on by a special messenger who travels slow. in the mean time I inclose you a newspaper account which is probably authentic, as it is understood to come from Capt Clarke. in the Aurora you will see another account containing some additional particulars. as you will recieve that paper as soon as this letter I say nothing of it. I shall be in Albemarle this day sennight so presume the dispatches will find me there. Accept my salutations & best wishes.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (CSmH); at foot of text: “Mr. Reuben Lewis”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: Frederick, Maryland, Republican Advocate, 5 July, reporting that “an express with dispatches from the winter quarters” of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark has arrived in St. Louis and that letters in that same express have reached Clark’s correspondents in Lexington; the account also describes various aspects of the expedition, including details of its winter location among the Mandan nation and the “curiosities of different kinds” being collected.
another account: the Aurora of 9 July included some information about geography, indigenous people, and animals and reported that despite having endured “a severe winter,” only one man had died on the expedition and the group was “in good health.”