Browse Items (57 total)
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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, 2 September 1792
William Clark writes to his brother Jonathan regarding his activities on recruiting duty in Kentucky and Indiana Territory. He discusses Western affairs, especially regarding Native Americans and military matters. He updates his brother on personal matters and social news. -
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 January 1807
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from Washington, D. C., reporting on activities there and his flattering treatment in wake of the successful return of the expedition. He reports he has discussed the Burr Conspiracy with President Jefferson and expresses his own shock at Burr's attempt at such a scheme and misjudgement of the American people. He concludes by intimating that he might return to Louisville engaged as he has an "object in mind." -
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, 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, 24 September 1806
Clark follows up his letter of 23 September with a personal letter mentioning that they will be traveling east to Louisville via Vincennes with a delegation of Mandan Indians, with which Meriwether Lewis will continue on to Washington, D. C. They will be detained for a time in St. Louis wrapping up expedition business and discharging the men. Clark specifically requests that Jonathan have his 23 September letter published. -
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 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. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 26 November 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from Fincastle, Virginia, where they are visiting Julia's family, regarding the death of Meriwether Lewis, information he has received from the commander of Fort Pickering at the Chickasaw Bluffs, Gilbert Russell, who provides details of Lewis's condition and situation while there, and what he has learned from Lewis' servant John Pernier about Lewis's mental state. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 28 May 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis regarding plans to travel east for a visit in the fall and their likely route. He reports how Julia and Lewis are doing, including Lewis being vaccinated with the cowpox and his reaction to being bathed. Sends regrets of George Rogers Clark's situation and hopes he will continue to recover. Talks of York's return to St. Louis from Kentucky and his continued bad attitude, punishment, and possible plans regarding him, and an enslaved woman Priscilla giving birth to a stillborn child and her little boy getting accidently scalded. He provides an update on the most recent news regarding Native American affairs and possible hostilities.