James Wilkinson to Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1805
From James Wilkinson
St. Louis Oct. 22nd. 1805
Sir
The Bearer hereof Capt. Amos Stoddard, who conducts the Indian deputation on their visit to you, has charge of a few natural productions of this Territory, to amuse a leisure Moment, and also a Savage delineation on a Buffaloe Pelt, of the Missouri & its South Western Branches, including the Rivers plate & Lycorne or Pierre jaune; This Rude Sketch without Scale or Compass “et remplie de Fantaisies ridicules” is not destitute of Interest, as it exposes the location of several important Objects, & may point the way to useful Enquiry—among other things a little incredible, a Volcano is distinctly described on Yellow Stone River, & a flinty substance which cuts Iron, on a branch of the Missouri designated “La Belle eau.—
Permit me Sir to name Capt Stoddard to you, as a Man of Worth & Intelligence, He understands well the political History of this Territory, and no one is better Acquainted with the views, Interests & merits, of the Individuals composing its population
With Perfect respect & Sincere Attachment I am sir Your Obedt Servt
Ja: Wilkinson
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.
In a letter on this day to Dearborn, Wilkinson enclosed a list of the deputation departing for Washington, which consisted of 27 persons from 12 nations, including 10 Sacs and Foxes, 4 Osages, 3 Iowas, 1 Otoe, 1 Missouri, 1 Miami, 1 Potawatomi, 1 Kansas, 1 Sioux, 1 Kickapoo, and 3 “Republican” Pawnees (MS in DNA: RG 107, LRRS; Vol. 42:10, 11n).
Savage delineation on a Buffaloe Pelt: TJ would later display this buffalo hide map in the entrance hall at Monticello. Visiting the house in 1816, Baron de Montlezun described it as a “geographical map without the slightest flaw … on buffalo hide and six feet square. It depicts a section of the Missouri River, and, although roughly drawn, is easy to understand. The explanations have been written in French by interpreters” (, 10:401).
Lycorne or Pierre jaune: Unicorn or Yellowstone.
et remplie de Fantaisies ridicules: and full of ridiculous fantasies.