“ articles, and return with the information acquired in the course of two summers.

" their arms and accoutrements, some instruments of observation, & light & cheap presents for the Indians would be all the apparatus they could carry, and with an expectation of a soldier’s portion of land on their return, would constitute the whole expence. their pay would be going on, whether here or there. while other civilised nations have encountered great expence to enlarge the boundaries of knowledge, by undertaking voiages of discovery, & for other literary purposes, in various parts and directions, our nation seems to owe to the same object, as well as to its own interests, to explore this, the only line of easy communication, across the continent, and so directly traversing our own part of it. the interests of commerce place the principal object within the constitutional powers and care of Congress and that it should incidentally advance the geographical knowledge of our own continent, cannot but be an additional gratification. the nation claiming the territory, regarding this as a literary pursuit which it is in the habit of permitting within it’s dominions, would not be disposed to view it with jealousy, even if the expiring state of its interests there did not render it a matter of indifference. The appropriation of two thousand five hundred dollars ‘for the purpose of extending the external commerce of the US,’ while understood and considered by the Executive as giving the legislative sanction, would cover the undertaking from notice, and prevent the obstructions which interested individuals might otherwise previously prepare in it’s way. ”

Before February 25 he was looking for a secretary to replace Meriwether Lewis; this office was declined by William Brent in a letter to Lewis of that date.

On February 28, Jefferson wrote to Benjamin Rush: “ I wish to mention to you in confidence that I have obtained authority from Congress to undertake the long desired object of exploring the Missouri & whatever river, heading with that, leads into the Western ocean. about 10. chosen woodsmen headed by Capt. Lewis my secretary, will set out on it immediately & probably accomplish it in two seasons. Capt. Lewis is brave, prudent, habituated to the woods, & familiar with Indian manners & character. he is not regularly educated, but he possesses a great mass of accurate observation on all the subjects of nature which permit themselves here, & will therefore readily select those only in his new route which shall be new. he has qualified himself for those observations of longitude & latitude necessary to fix the points of the line he will go over. it would be very useful to state for him those objects on which it is most desireable he should bring us information. for this purpose I ask the favor of you to prepare some notes of such particulars as may occur in his journey & which you think should draw his attention & enquiry. he will be in Philadelphia about 2. or 3. weeks hence & will wait on you . . . ”

Benjamin Rush sent Jefferson the rules, which Jefferson copied out in his own hand and sent to Lewis, as follows: “ D ^r. Rush to Capt. Lewis. for preserving his health. June 11. 1803.

" 1. when you feel the least indisposition, do not attempt to overcome it by labour or marching. rest in a horizontal posture.--also fasting and diluting drinks for a day or two will generally prevent an attack of fever. to these preventatives of disease may be added a gentle sweat obtained by warm drinks, or gently opening the bowels by means of one, two, or more of the purging pills.

" 2. unusual costiveness is often a sign of approaching disease. when you feel it take one or more of the purging pills.

" 3. want of appetite is likewise a sign of approaching indisposition. it should be obviated by the same remedy.

" 4. in difficult & laborious enterprizes & marches, eating sparingly will enable you to bear them with less fatigue & less danger to your health.

" 5. flannel should be worn constantly next to the skin, especially in wet weather.

" 6. the less spirit you use the better, after being wetted or much fatigue, or long exposed to the night air, it should be taken in an undiluted state. 3 tablespoonfuls taken in this way will be more useful in preventing sickness, than half a pint mixed with water.

" 7. molasses or sugar & water with a few drops of the acid of vitriol will make a pleasant & wholesome drink with your meals.

" 8. after having had your feet much chilled, it will be useful to wash them with a little spirit. ”