At the Falls of the Ohio, the captains and their new recruits prepare for departure down the Ohio River. William Clark brings over a decade of riverboat experience hauling cargo on the Ohio including a notable trip down the Mississippi.
In Philadelphia, Lewis is elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society the preeminent scientific association in the United States.
A Shipment of Army Clothing
Late in 1782, serving as a lieutenant in the Kentucky militia, Clark was ordered to take a shipment of clothing and food to Vincennes by boat.
Fort Stuben Nov. 28 Received order from Capt. Doyle to go to St. Vincens by water with Cloathing. Wind verry high & & all day rains in fore part of the day 29 at Dark start in con. with Mr. Veage Mr. N Mr. Brion & anomber of gentlemens went on verry well— 29th I went a Shore Killed 6 Turkeys, all well—
—William Clark, 28 and 29 November 1792[1]William Clark, Journal and Memorandum Book of William Clark, 1792–1794, Clark Family Collection, Missouri Historical Society.
The voyage between Fort Steuben and the mouth of the Wabash went well, but getting the loaded boats up the Wabash River during winter would be a significant challenge for the young lieutenant. Clark proved his abilities by completing the task before the year ended. For Clark’s service in the Kentucky Militia, see Prior Military Careers.
Clark on the Mississippi
Flatboat going down the Mississippi
Colorized from the original provided by the Missouri State Historical Society.
In 1798, Clark captained a small flotilla down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers with cargo consisting primarily of tobacco. On the Mississippi between the St. Andrew and Arkansas rivers, disaster struck:
My boat tun up a Snag which run thro’ her bow then un other which nearly sunk her & lodged on a third which hel her fast only injuring the Stern, here I am at 12 o’clock. . . . Mr. Linds boat loads with Merchandize Sunk on the 2d. Sawyer that I struk. he lost all but a few bales & kegs. all the boats forced to Shore. . . . a Verry Dangerous Situation . . . .
—William Clark, 1 April 1798
The following day, the crew pried the boat loose, patched it, and continued their journey without any loss of cargo. They even stopped to help Army supplier Mr. Lind recover some of his lost cargo.[2]Jo Ann Trogdon, The Unknown Travels and Dubious Pursuits of William Clark (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2015), 80–81, 357–358.
Smuggling Spanish Dollars
From New Orleans, Clark tells of money hidden in two barrels he is shipping to his father in Louisville.
New Orleans June 19th. 1798
Mon Zir [John Clark]
In my letter of yesterday by Mr. Sebastian I mentioned forwarding by Captain Brown two Barrels Containing Sugar Coffee &C. You will receve by Mr. Brown a gentleman of my acquaintance & resident of Frankfort Two Barrels marked & Numbered as follow’s.
No. 1 Marked W. Clark, Louisville. Contains 152 1/2 lb. Coffee.
No. 2 Marked W Clark Louisville, Contains 220 lb. of Sugar of two qualities and 670 Dollars in Cash.
I hope the Sugar & Coffee will be of Service to you, the money is for Mr. Riddle.
Permit me to subscribe my self your Dutifull Son
W Clark
Spying on the Spanish
Clark returned from New Orleans by ship, thereby avoiding the rigors of returning by land and any entanglements should his two barrels be intercepted. Dropping down the river, Clark reconnoitered Spanish military fortifications:
27th July Set Sale in the ship Star of 6 guns for Philadelphia Passed the Fort Pluk [Fort San Philipe]
=in the 30th. This fort is Strong and regular, built of Brick Mounting about 12 heavy Cannons—12 to 24 pd.—on the front & Som Small cannon a Small round fort [Fort Bourbon] opposit is on the West Side wound Mountaing 16 Cannon from 4 to 9 pounders . . . .
—William Clark, 27 and 30 July 1798
Friday, 21 October 1803
Aurora General Advertiser, 26 October 1803.
Lewis Elected
At a meeting of the American Philosophical Society, on Friday the 21st inst. the following gentlemen were elected members:
David Ramsay M. D. Charleston S. C.
Capt. Merewether Lewis of Virginia
Mr. Robert Gilmore, Jun. of Baltimore[6]Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, 26 October 1803, p. 3.
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Notes
| ↑1 | William Clark, Journal and Memorandum Book of William Clark, 1792–1794, Clark Family Collection, Missouri Historical Society. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Jo Ann Trogdon, The Unknown Travels and Dubious Pursuits of William Clark (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2015), 80–81, 357–358. |
| ↑3 | See Trogdon, 156–59. |
| ↑4 | Trogdon, 204–06, 365–66. |
| ↑5 | “Fort St. Philip”, Wikpedia, wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_St._Philip. |
| ↑6 | Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, 26 October 1803, p. 3. |
