Browse Items (29 total)
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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, 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, 9 November 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis discussing his frustrations with his enslaved African Americans York and Scipio. He reports on conditions in St. Louis, various individuals, and investments in lead mining and saltmaking in the region. Reports that Meriwether Lewis was installed as master of the local Masonic lodge.Tags Enslaved people; lead; Letters; masonry; Meriwether Lewis; Missouri; salt; stocks; William Clark; York -
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, 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, 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, 22 July 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis regarding his enslaved man York, the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company, furs and peltries belonging to the government as part of the Indian trade factory system, and the route he might take in the fall eastward to Kentucky and Virginia. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 26 August 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis reporting the distressing situation Meriwether Lewis is in regarding the government and his personal affairs. Clark believes all will work out. He is disgusted with York and wishes Jonathan to do with him as he wishes upon his arrival in Louisville - hire him out or sell him. Relays that Julia is in poor health, thinks family have rather forgotten them, but anticipates much joy in their upcoming visit.