Lewis and Clark Newspapers
AN INCREDIBLE ARCHIVE DOCUMENTING THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION AS IT WAS HAPPENING
“CAPTAINS LEWIS AND CLARK, HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO ATTEMPT A PAFFAGE TO THE WEFTERN FHORE OF THE SOUTH SEA”
A selection of 20 period newspapers with detailed reports covering the Lewis and Clark Expedition as they explored the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Papers included are THE CONNECTICUT COURANT; COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALIST; THE UNIVERSAL GAZETTE; BOSTON WEEKLY MAGAZINE; NEW-ENGLAND PALLADIUM; COLUMBIAN CENTINEL; INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE; THE PHILADELPHIA AURORA; NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER; THE INQUIRER; FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER AND THE REPERTORY. Unless stated all issues in vg cond. with some browning as expected.
1. THE CONNECTICUT COURANT. Vol. XXXIX - Numb. 2026. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1803. Priinted at Hartford, (Conn.) by Hudson & Goodwin. 4 pgs. Vg cond. Page 3 col. 3 states “Louisville, October 29 – Captain Clark and Mr. Lewis left this place on Wednefday laft on their expedition to the Weftward. We have not been enabled to afcertain to what length the route will extend, as when it was firft fet on foot by the Prefident, the Louisiana country was not ceded to the United States, and it is likely it will be confiderably extended….. They have the iron frame of a boat, intended to be covered with fkins, which can, by fcrews, be formed into one or four, as may beft their purpofes. About 60 men will compofe the party.”
2. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALIST. No. 10. Vol. XLI. WHOLE No. 2089. BOSTON, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1804. Boston (Massachusetts). Has an important front-page report on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Dbd, bottom of all 4 pages with lose of several lines of text from the Lewis and Clark article, otherwise vg cond. “...The two enterprifing conductors of this adventure, Captains Lewis and Clark, have been directed to attempt a paffage to the weftern fhore of the South Sea, from them on their return in 1805, a narrative full of inftruction may be expected, that a furvey has been ordered to be made of the Miffiffippi, from the luth of the Ohio, to the falls of Saint Anthony. Of this a correct map may be expected within a reafonable time. The like also is hoped, in the courfe of a moderate period, from the latter place to the fource of the Miffiffippi, and then to the Lake of the Woods.
3. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALILST. NO. 39. XLI. WHOLE NO. 2118. BOSTON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1804. Boston. Dbd. 4 pgs. Vg cond. “KENTUCKY. LEXINGTON, JUNE 19, 1804, A LETTER from Indian Territory, dated May 18, mentions...Capt. Lewis will leave St. Louis to-morrow and will, I perfume, ftart from St. Charles very foon, on his expedition. He will, no doubt, winter this fall a little below the Mandanes, about 800 leagues from the mouth of the Miffouri.”
4. THE UNIVERSAL GAZETTE. VOL III. NO. CCCXCI. THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1805. Printed by Samuel Harrison Smith, Pennsylvania Avenue. Dbd, chips to right margin not affecting print. Contains a long front page article titled Vincennes, I.T. The following is a letter from Capt. Clark to Governor harrison. Fort Mandain, 1609 miles up the Missouri, lat. 47, 21, N. lon. 101, 25. April 2nd 1863. “Dear Sir, By the return of a party which we send from this place with dispatches, I do myself the pleasure of giving you a summary view of the Missouri, &c…… Several bands of Indians but little known, rove on the heads of this and the river Plate, and are stated to be as follows: Chyanne 300 men, Statons 100 men, Canenaviech 400 men, Cayanwa and Wetahato 200 men, Cataba 70 men, Detame 30 men, Memensoon; 30 men, Castahana 1300 men; it is possible that some of those bands are the remains of the Padoucar nation; at 1,440 nukes to the Nussiyru (and a short distance above two handsome rivers which take their rise in the Black Mountains) the Ricaras live in three villages, and are the remains of ten different tribes of Pancas, who have been reduced and drove from their country lower down, by the Sioux, their number is about 500 men. They raise corn, beans, &c, and appear friendly and well disposed, they were at war with the nations of this neighborhood, we have brought about a peace; between the Recars and this place two rivers fall in the south west , and one on the north east, not very long, and take their rise in the open country; this country abounds in a great variety of wild animals, but a few of which the Indians take, many of these animals are uncommon in the United States, such as white, red and grey bears long eared mule or black tail deer, (black at the end of the tail only) large hare antelope or goat, the red fox, the ground prairie dogs, (burrow in the ground) the brarca, which has a head like a dog, and the size of a small dog, the white brant, magpye, calumet eagle, &c. and many others are said to inhabit the rocky mountains.”
5. BOSTON WEEKLY MAGAZINE. NO. 42 – VOL. 111. SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 10, 1805. Dbd. 4 pgs. Vg cond. “….The letter from Capt. Lewis, to the President, from Louisiana, is before the public. It was accompanied with specimens of earth, salts and animals with a chart and journals. Good hopes appear to be entertained of a safe arrival at the Columbia river and a passage to the Great Ocean. Indians from different tribes were on their way to President Jefferson and all the necessary precautions were adopted for the best success of the expedition. This letter is accompanied with another from Capt. Clark, who describes the water courses and the Indians found in the passage on the Missouri. The letters are dated in April last.” Salem R.
6. NEW – ENGLAND PALLADIUM. NO. 15 – VOL. 26. TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1805. Printed by Young and Minns, Boston. 4 pgs. Dbd. Vg cond. “….But whatever may be the found fuggeftions of ploicy on this important fubject, the tour of Meffrs Clark and Lewis to the weft will not fail to give them their effect. Should be determine to establifh there a colony and a line of forts, they will explore the proper fituations they will afcertain the force neceffary to protect them; they will fee how much policy or produce it may be proffible to collect and the expenses of collefting. ….. It is too romantic however to fuppofe. When an interior communication acrofs the continent is eftablifhed and kept up by a line of forts and the friendfhip of the natives, that we may receive even the peltry of the fea-coaft through the rivers and portages of the continent.”
7. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL. NO. 48, VOL. 43. WHOLE NO. 2231. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1805. 4 pgs. Dbd. Fold tear, overall in vg cond. Taken from Columbia newspaper of Washington, August 16th , 1806 “We learn that a part of the collection of the curiofities collected by Captain Lewis on the Miffouri has reached Baltimore. Among these are a living animal, called the wild dog of the Prairie, and one magpie. Four magpies were sent but one of them destroyed the other three.”
8. INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE. VOLUME XXXVII – NUMBER 2537. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1805. Dbd. 4 pgs. “….a collection of the curiosities collected by Captain Lewis on the Missouri has reached Baltimore. Among these are a living animal, called the wild dog of the Prairie, and one magpie. Four magpies were sent but one of them destroyed the other three…..”
Nat. Int.
9. (Possibly THE PHILADELPHIA AURORA) THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1806 and JANUARY 24, 1806. Each day’s paper is 2 pgs. Dbd, vg cond. The following letter is extracted from the 31st volume of the Philosophical Magazine, by Alexander Tillock, 1805. Copy of a letter from Thomas Jefferson, president of the United States, to M. Faejas-Saint Fond. “ A journey undertaken for the purpose of making discoveries in this country, will probably procure us some new information in regard to the megalonix and other animals either lost or now existing. The immediate object of it is to explore the river Missouri as far as its source; then to visit the nearest river situated to the west, and to descend thence to the Pacific ocean…. Captain Lewis, to whom I have entrusted it, posseses all the knowledge in anatomy requisite to fulfil that part – and though he is not absolutely a regular botanist, zoologist, or mineralogist, he has observed so exactly the natural productions of this country, that he will not lose his time in noting down things with which we are already acquainted…..”
10. NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER. VOL. VI. – NO. DCCCXXXVIII. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1806. Printed by Samuel, Harrison Smith. Washington City. “To the Senate and House of Representatives of the U.S. ...In pursuance of a measure proposed to Congress by a message of Jan. 18, 1803, and sanctioned by their appropriation for carrying it into execution, Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the 1st regiment Infantry was appointed, with a party of me to explore the river Missouri, from it mouth to its source, and crossing the highlands by the shortest portage, to seek the best water communication thence to the Pacific ocean; and Lieut, Clark was appointed second in command. They were to enter into conference with the Indian nations on their route, with a view to the establishment of commerce with them…..”
11. INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE. VOLUME XXXVIII – NUMBER 2591. MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1806. 4 pgs. Dbd. Wednesday, Feb. 12 – The following meffage was received from the President of the U. States.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the U.S. “In purfuance of a measure propofed to Congrefs by a meffage of Jan. 18, 1803 fantioned by their appropriation for carrying it into execution, Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the 1st regiment of infantry was appointed, with a party of men, to explore the river Missouri, from its mouth to its fource, and croffing the highlands by the shortage portage, to feck the beft water communication thence to the Pacific ocean; and Lieut. Clark was appointed fecond in comand…… Copies of this map are now prefented to both houfes of Congress. With thefe I communicate alfo a ftatiftical view, procured and forwarded by him of the Indian nations inhabiting the territory of Louisiana, and the countries adjacent to its northern and weftern borders, of their and of other interefting borders, of their commerce and of other interefting circumstances....”
12. THE ENQUIRER. NUMBER 52 – VOL.3. RICHMOND, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 31, 1806. 4 pgs. Top of mast head and other three pages cut off, but not affecting Lewis and Clark article. Dbd. Vg cond. “….From a Kentucky paper of Octobe4, HIGHLY INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE. St. Louis, Sept. 23, 1806. Dear Sir, Captains Lewis and Clark are just arrived, all in very good health. They left the Pacific ocean the 23rd of March laft; they wintered there; they arrived there in November; there was fome American veffels there juft before their arrival. They had to pack one hundred and fixty miles from the head of the Miffouri to Columbia river. One of the hands, an intelligent man, tells me the Indians are as numerous on the Columbia as the whites are in any part of the United States…….The Indians are reprefented as being very peaceable…...”
13. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL. WHOLE NO. 2360. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1806. 4 Pgs. Dbd. Maryland – Baltimore Oct. 19, 1806. “A Letter written from St. Louis (Upper Louifiana dated Sept. 23, 1806, announces the arrival of Captains Lewis and Clark, from their expedition into the interior...They went to the Pacific Ocean have brought fome of the natives and curiofities of the countries through which they paffed and only loft one man….They have kept an ample journal of their tour; which will be published and must afford much intelligence.”
14. INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE. VOLUME XXXV111 – NUMBER 2669. Printed by ADAMS & RHOADES. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1806. 4 pgs. Dbd. Vg cond. “Lewis and Clark were the firft white people that ever crofsed the country from whence they have juft returned. By the beft accounts they could get there are about ninety to one hundred thoufand inhabitants (Indians) on the weft of the Rocky Mountains. Hourfes without number. He is thought to be a very poor Indian that did not own 300 hourfes. Not an iron tool among them. They erected a fort on the sea their and engraved their names. They have brought a number of curiofities among which is a wild sheep, its head and horns weigh about 80 or 90 pounds. He was caught on the Rocky Mountains.”
15. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL. WHOLE NO. 2370. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1806. Boston. 4 pgs. Dbd. Vg cond. “The expedition of Mrffs. Lewis and Clarke, for exploring the river Missouri, and the beft communications from that to the Pacific Ocean, has had all the fuccefs which could have been expected. They have traced the Miffouri nearly to its fource, defcended the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, afcertained with accuracy the geography of that interefting communications acrofs our continent, learnt the character of the country, of its commerce and inhabitants and it is but juftice to fay, the Meffrs, Lewis and Clark and their brave companions, have, by this arduous fervice, deferved well of their country.”
16. FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER. VOL. XXV – NO. 3917. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1806. 4 pgs. Dbd, rough border not affecting articles. Vg cond.
“proposals. FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTIONS, ROBERT FRAZIER’S JOURNAL From St. Louis, in Louisiana to the pacific Ocean. Containing an accurate description of the Missouri and its several branches of the Mountains separating the Eastern from the Western Waters; of the Columbia rivers and the bay it forms on the Pacific ocean….together with a variety of curious and interesting occurrences during a voyage of two years, four months & nine days, conducted by captains Lewis and Clark.” Published by permission of Capts. MERIWETHER LEWIS & CLARK.
17. COLUMBIAN CENTINEL. WHOLE NO. 2383. SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1807. Boston. Dbd. 4 pgs. “COLUMBIA. WASHINGTON, JAN. 16, 1807. On Wednefday a public dinner was given to Capt. Lewis, by the citizens of Wafhington….A great number of toasts were given, and it appears, by the volunteers, that Mr. Barlow, was prefent, and favored the company with the following Ode, on the discoveries of Capt. Lewis, which was recited by Mr. Beckley…..”
18. NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER. VOL. VII. NO. 999. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1807. Printed by Samuel Harrison Smith. Washington State. 4 pgs. Vg cond. “AN ACT Making compensation to Messrs, Lewis and Clarke and their companions. Be it encacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the united States of American, in Congress assembled, That the fecretary of war be, and he is hereby directed to iffue land warrents to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, for one thoufand fix hundred acres each; to John Ordway, Nathaniel Pryer, the heirs or legal reprefentatives of Charles Floyd…….” “Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That double pay fhall be allowed, by the fecretary of war to each of the before named perfons, agreeably to the time be or they have ferved, in the late enterprize to the Pacific ocean, commenced by Jeffrs. Lewis and Clarke, and that the fum of eleven thoufand dollars be and the fame hereby is appropriated to difcharge the fame, out of any monies in the treafury not otherwife appropriated.”
19. THE REPERTORY. VOL. VI. – NUMBER 40. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1809. Boston. 4 pgs. Dbd. Vg cond. “INDIAN DISTURBANCES. FROM THE MISSOURI GAZETTE. On Meriwether Lewis Esq. Governor of Upper Louisiana issued general orders…..that there is a certain band of Winebaggoes, alias Puants, now residing on the Illinois river, and detached in small parties...who together with some dissolute bands of the neighboring tribes, have associated themselves for the purpose of attacking Fort Belle Vue on the Mississippi, and waging war on the northern frontiers of the territories of Louisiana and Indiana…..”
20. NEW-ENGLAND PALLADIUM. NO. 41 – VOL.84. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1809. Published by Young & Minns. Boston. Dbd. 4 pgs. Vg cond. “Virginia. Staunton, Nov. 3. Death of Merriwether Lewis. A report reached this town, predicted we believe upon good authority, that his Exceliency Merriwether Lewis, Governor of Upper Louifiana , put an end to his life a few days fince on this side fide the Tenneffee river, on hiway to this country. …..he was feized with a delirium, and in a fit, discharged a piffol at his forehead – the ball glanced; he difcharged a fecond piftol at his breaft; this alfo failing to take effect, he took a knife and cut his wrifts in fuch a manner, that before any relief could be afforded him, he bled to death!….”
21. NEW YORK GAZETTE & GENERAL ADVERTISER. SEPTEMBER 17, 1838. VOL. 50 – NO. 18 47 S C.F. Daniels. Editor. “The name of Governor Clark must ever occupy a prominent place on the pages of this history of this country…. His name is known by the most remote tribes, and his word was reverenced by them everywhere. They regarded him as a father, and his signature, which is known by every Indian, even in the distant wilds of the far west ---wherever shown, was respected. He was sixty-eight years of age when he died and was probably the oldest American settler residing in St. Louis. Through a long, eventful and useful life, he has filled the various stations of a citizen and an officer, with such strict integrity, and in so affable and mild a manner, that, as the day of his death, malice or detraction had not a blot to fix up the fair scroll which the history of his well spent life leaves as a rich and inestimable legacy to his children, and the numerous friends who now mourn his death.”