In Washington City, President Thomas Jefferson orders a copy of Alexander Mackenzie’s Voyages from Montreal and Aaron Arrowsmith’s map of North America. Both of these were referred to often by Meriwether Lewis. Jefferson also offers Federal appointments to Thomas Rodney who would document his 1803 trip down the Ohio and his encounters there with Lewis and Clark.
The title page reads:
Voyages
from
Montreal
on the River St. Laurence,
through the
Continent of North America,
to the
Frozen and Pacific Oceans;
In the Years 1789 and 1793.
with a preliminary account
of the rise, progress, and present state of
the fur trade
of that country.
Illustrated with maps.
by Alexander Mackenzie, Esq.
London:
Printed for T. Cadell, Jun. and W. Davies, Strand; Corbett and Morgan,
Pall-Mall; and W. Creech, at Edinburgh.
by R. Noble, Old-Bailey.
M.DCCC.I.
Mackenzie’s Travels
Washington June 17 1803
Sir
I have understood there is to be had in New York an 8vo. edition of Mc.kenzie’s travels with the same maps which are in the 4to. edition. I will thank you to procure it for me. the American 8vo. edition is defective in it’s maps, and the English 4to. edition is too large & cumbersome.
I think I have seen advertized in some paper that an edition of Arrowsmith’s map of the US. has been published at New York. I shall be glad to recieve either that or the English one if to be had there. the latter would be preferred because I know the engraving is superiorly well done . . . . accept my best wishes.
Th: Jefferson[1]Thomas Jefferson to James Cheetham, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-40-02-0413 accessed 13 May 1803. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, … Continue reading
Arrowsmith’s map was the major source drawn upon by the American cartographer and surveyor Nicholas King (1771-1812), for the composite map he created on orders from Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin expressly for the expedition. Albert Gallatin mentions hiring cartographer Nicholas King on 14 March 1803. For the map, see Mapping the Rockies.
Rodney’s Appointment
Washington June 17. 1803.
Sir
. . . . .
I have presumed it possible you might be willing to undertake soon a distant service for the US. the act of the last session of Congress regulating grants of lands South of the Tennissee, authorises me to appoint two Commissioners for the territory . . . . 2000. D. are allowed for the whole service whether long or short.
. . . . .
the resignation of one of the judges of the Missisipi territory leaves a vacancy to be filled there. the salary is 800. D. a year, and I should be glad if you could undertake that also. I mention it now, as in conjunction with the office of Commissioner, it might be a reason with you for preferring the Western district.
accept my respectful salutations & assurances of esteem.
Th: Jefferson[2]Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Rodney, Ibid., [original source: Ibid., 557].
Notes
| ↑1 | Thomas Jefferson to James Cheetham, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-40-02-0413 accessed 13 May 1803. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 40, 4 March–10 July 1803, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013, p. 549.] |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Rodney, Ibid., [original source: Ibid., 557]. |
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The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
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- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).