Browse Items (33 total)
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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, 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, 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, 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, 5 October 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis relating news about the fort [Fort Osage] he has built up the Missouri and a treaty he negotiated with the Osage nation. He is overwhelmed with official business. He very much wants to engage in mercantile business with John Hite Clark. He reviews possible opportunities in St. Louis for John Sullivan who is there. -
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, 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, 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, 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, 6-7 June 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan while on his boat at the mouth of the Tradewater River traveling down the Ohio River, moving to St. Louis. He has visited their brother Edmund in that neighborhood. Tells of his enslaved woman, Philes, dying. Continuing the letter on June 7, he reports that Dr. [Richard] Brown's courtship of Ann Anderson has failed. He has sent York and some of his other enslaved persons overland with Joseph Charles to Kaskaskia. He has received word that Lieutenant Nathaniel Pryor is waiting for him with about twenty men and two boats at the mouth of the Ohio to assist their ascent of the Mississippi.Tags boats; death; Enslaved people; Letters; love; Military; Mississippi River; Missouri; Ohio River; romance; William Clark -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 23 September 1806
Clark's letter to his brother Jonathan was written with the intent of announcing the Corps of Discovery's succcessful return from its expedition to the Pacific Ocean and was intended for publication. Clark summarizes the expedition's activities since leaving Fort Mandan in April 1805, reaching the Pacific and wintering there, and arriving in St. Louis on their return the day this letter is dated. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 25 February 1804
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis reporting on his health, the land business back home, preparations for the Upper Louisiana Territory to be officially turned over to the United States, and interactions with Captain Amos Stoaddard, who is representing the U. S. in the ceremonies. -
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.