Browse Items (33 total)
-
Letter from Elijah Smith to Samuel Brown, 29 October 1820
This letter discusses the schooling of Mary Ellis, stating "with her fortune it is imperative she receive the education and training to prepare her for society and happiness in mature life." Relates that a malignant fever has reached St. Louis, Missouri. Smith asks Brown how schools are in Lexington, Kentucky, because his children need an education and the prospects of getting one in Natchez are bad. -
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 Edmund Clark, 27 January 1809
William Clark writes to his brother Edmund Clark from St. Louis, Missouri, reporting that he purchased a house and lot in the center of town. He reports that the weather has been very cold and the young people are enjoying skating and sleighing. He notes that they haven't received mail in two months, having instead to send their mail by express to Vincennes for forwarding, which is expensive. -
Letter from William Clark to Edmund Clark, 3 September 1810
William Clark writes his brother Edmund Clark from St. Louis, Missouri, reporting on his current situation with his investment in the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company, and the furs he can and will send to people in Kentucky. He reports on American Indian affairs and general unrest in the region. -
Letter from William Clark to John Hite Clark, 15 and 16 December 1808
William Clark writes to his nephew, John Hite Clark, from St. Louis, Missouri, regarding land and his mercantile business, especially his desire to engage in business with John and William's brother, Edmund, who expressed an interest in joining them. Discusses education matters regarding Joshua Fry's school and tuition for William Morrison of Kaskaskia's son. -
Letter from William Clark to John Hite Clark, 27 October 1810
William Clark writes to his nephew, John Hite Clark, from St. Louis, Missouri, about mercantile affairs, including the demand for and the high price of whiskey. He includes his thoughts on a man in love, having heard from Edmund that John might be "a little in love." He reports that his son, M. Lewis, is talking and walks through the streets beating his drum. -
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, 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 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, 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. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 22 August 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis regarding land business. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of John Hite Clark - and in a postscript reports he has just arrived. -
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.