Browse Items (46 total)
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Letter from William Clark to Edmund Clark, 15 April 1809
Clark writes his brother Edmund from St. Louis reporting general news regarding the town and some of its inhabitants. He comments on the status of their nephews Benjamin O'Fallon, there with him in St. Louis, and his brother, John O'Fallon, in school in Lexington, Kentucky. He updates Edmund regarding the status of their interest in the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company and their planned mercantile business venture, and on Native American affairs both up the Missouri and the Mississippi. -
Letter from William Clark to his brother, April 1805
Letter from William Clark to his brother talks of sending his journal to the President and the Secretary of War, documenting his voyage and discoveries. Includes note stating he has included with the letter: one shirt worn by the Mandan Indian women, a few pairs of moccasins, some Mandan "legins", hides from several different animals, corn, tobacco seeds, a Mandan pot, and more, from the western country. He sends compliments from Meriwether Lewis to him and his lady. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 1 October 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis that he has just returned from the Fire Prairie where he built a fort [Fort Osage]. He was ill the entire time. Introduces George Shannon who was wounded in a skirmish with the Arikara and consequently lost a leg. Shannon is going to attend school in Lexington [Transylvania University] so he can get educated and make a living. He is a man of fine character. He is on the government payroll and Clark will continue to pay him so he can pay for school and board until the Secretary of War orders payment to stop.Tags Arikara; Education; finance; government; health; illness; Letters; Lexington; Missouri; Native Americans; William Clark -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 10 December 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis continuing a discussion of a planned partnership in a store between himself based in St. Louis and Jonathan's son John Hite Clark based in Louisville. He also further discusses estate matters and difficulties stemming from their late brother-in-law Charles M. Thruston. He regrets the falling out between him and York. He does not agree with York that he deserves to be freed. Julia again requests sage from her "Kentucky mother." Clark has been in council all day with a forty-man Winnebago delegation from the Upper Mississippi. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 12 January 1810
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from Washington, D.C., with updates regarding his success in getting possession of expedition records and the steps he is taking to get the expedition history written and published. He still is not inclined to accept the governorship of Upper Louisiana if it is offered. He is in good standing with the President and Secretary of War. He fears he won't be successful regarding brother George's claim [for payment for military expenses] from the government but hopes to get him a pension. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 13 August 1801
William Clark writes to his brother Jonathan from his farm, Mulberry Hill, reporting on legal and land business, the state of his farm and mill, and the Ohio River being very low. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 13 October 1801
William Clark writes to his brother Jonathan from Louisville, Kentucky, reporting financial arrangements regarding land he has purchased on Jonathan's behalf. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 14 December 1810
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis regarding his intent to sell various tracts of land he owns in Clarksville, Indiana. He wants to make sure that the elderly African Americans (assumed to be enslaved people) living there are taken care of and do not suffer. Hopes their brother George is improving. Reports that the weather has been cold, the river is running with ice, and several boats have frozen in it. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 14 September 1811
William Clark writes his brother, Jonathan Clark, from St. Louis, Missouri, that William Preston has been there on a visit but doesn't care for the area, and likely will settle near Jonathan in the Louisville area. Reports that Indian affairs are deteriorating and the British are to blame. Julia has delivered another son, a "great rough red headed fellow." -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 16 December 1803
William Clark writes to his brother Jonathan from the Corps of Discovery's first winter camp, reporting on events since parting with him below the Falls of the Ohio. He reports on an illness he has suffered, occurences at Fort Massac, the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, Kaskaskia, and establishing winter quarters at Wood River. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 16 July 1810
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis after arriving home. Julia and M. Lewis were greatly tormented by the mosquitos. He isn't optimistic about his personal and general situation regarding the Missouri Fur Company. Reports what he knows regarding Meriwether Lewis' and his own difficulties and differences in policy with the government. Has learned that Frederick Bates had lodged complaints about both of them. Clark considers Bates a "little animale whome I had mistaken as my friend." -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 16 September 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis shortly before setting out on their trip eastward. He has concluded Indian trade business and will turn matters over to Frederick Bates in his absence. The Secretary of War [William Eustis] has given him more responsibilities and directed him to remove agents and other Indian department employees appointed by Meriwether Lewis. To do so is disagreeable to him. A man convicted of murder is to be hanged today and the town is full of people. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 17 August 1811
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis complaining that they don't hear very often from their Kentucky family and fears they are being forgotten. He mentions how scattered the family is at this time and wishes they all were together. American-Native affairs have been active east of the Mississippi, but they are tranquil west of the river. He mentions Indigenous delegations that have recently visited. He fears that The Prophet and his followers are stirring up trouble and need to be dispersed. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 17 December 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis describing an incident in which John Sullivan overreacted in a meeting with officials and ruined his chances for a lucrative position. Clark returns to the topic of York, stating he had intended to punish him but Meriwether Lewis persuaded him to hire him out in Kentucky instead. Clark hopes he will learn the error of his ways and must "give over that wife of his" in Kentucky. His wife was enslaved by someone else in the Louisville area. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 2 January 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis reporting domestic and local news. Shares how Julia is faring and describes the new quarters they have moved to. He expresses his frustrations with his enslaved persons, relating his opinion of African Americans in general (at least enslaved ones). -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 2 July 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan that they have arrived in St. Louis. On the way, his enslaved woman Nancy [half sister of York] lost her child, and Ben [possibly formerly enslaved by Clark family] his horse. He has hired out most of his enslaved people. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 2 March 1802
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from Louisville, reporting the party's arrival but also the unfortunate death of one of Jonathan's horses. He reports on a variety of land business, a school in their neighborhood starting, and beginning work on Jonathan's house. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 21 January 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis announcing the birth of a son - Meriwether Lewis Clark. He reports how Julia and the baby are doing. He also reports on paying for a midwife for his enslaved woman Easter, who he has punished for bad behavior. He lists some other of his enslaved people he has punished and worries that Jonathan will think he has become a severe master, but he assures him he has not. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 21 July 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis about business and missing family. He shortly will be traveling up the Missouri River with about 80 militia to build a fort [Fort Osage]. He has been much pestered by Native American affairs, and four of these American Indians being on trial for murder. He lists work that his enslaved people are doing and states that almost all of them have been "troublesome" and he has been "obliged" to whip most of them. Their behavior/attitudes have improved since. Julia asks that "old mama Clark" send her some dried garden herbs, especially thyme and sage, as none is to be gotten in St. Louis. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 22 and 24 November 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan a lengthy letter from St. Louis regarding foreign affairs, politics, Native American affairs, and land investment and resources such as lead mining and salt springs. He has placed some of his enslaved people and one indentured person Ben Gee/McGee (formerly enslaved) to work in various ways or what he intends to do regarding them, including York and Scipio. Discusses selling land owned by their brother George and some William owns and some of the proceeds benefitting George. Reviews prices of livestock and goods locally and reiterates his desire to enter into business with his nephew John. Reports on the state of Julia's health and Meriwether Lewis' plans to go to Philadelphia to finish the expedition history.