The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914 Page: 142
454 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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142 The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
of the Eighth Congress appeared in a report dated March 8,
1804, from the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures. After
hazarding a surmise that the new territory extended to the Pacific,
the report touched upon previous explorations of the Mississippi
and of the Gulf Coast by Hutchins and Ellicott, mentioned the
plans for penetrating the upper Mississippi and Missouri, and closed
by advocating the Red and the Arkansas as affording the next most
favorable field for exploration. For this purpose the services of
private individuals should be utilized, wherever possible, and in
addition an appropriation should be given the President to sup-
plement such efforts.5
A few days later Jefferson, as above indicated, wrote Dunbar of
his plan and asked him to direct the expedition up the Red and
Arkansas, in case Congress should authorize the required appro-
pria.tion. The preparations for the expedition were to be made
at New Orleans and Natchez, and the collector of customs at the
former place would honor all drafts for this purpose. The instruc-
tions to the leader were to be similar to those issued to Lewis and
Clark, with such additional ones as Dunbar should think neces-
sary to add. "Still, this is a matter of speculation," added the
President, warningly, for Congress was hastening matters to bring
its session to a close, "and in that case all I have said will be as
if I had not said it." The action of this legislative body, owing to
opposition in the Senate, was but partially favorable, for its hur-
ried appropriation was only $3,000, barely sufficient for one party.
This Jefferson determined to send upon the more interesting of his
two proposed explorations; and without waiting for Dunbar's ac-
ceptance, he again wrote, asking him to superintend the prepara-
tions for the expedition up the Red and Arkansas, and to select its
leader. For this position he suggested a Mr. Walker, of Missis-
sippi, or a Mr. Gillespie, of North Carolina, both of whom had
served with Ellicott. He mentioned the fact that a George Hunter,
of Philadelphia, would accompany the expedition. Dr. Hunter's
"fort," the President wrote, "is chemistry, and in the practical
part of that science he is supposed to have no equal in the United
States." He warned Dunbar that Hunter might attempt to turn
the expedition into a prospecting tour for gold and silver mines,'Annals 8th C(ong., 1st Hess., 1124-26.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914, periodical, 1914; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101061/m1/146/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.