Letter signed Meriwether Lewis, Fort Mandan, 1609 miles above the entrance of the Missouri, to his mother, Mrs. Lucy Marks, Charlottesville, Virginia. He and his friend and companion Capt. Clark have decided, on account of the approach of winter, the low state of the water and the known scarcity of timber, to fortify themselves and remain for the winter near the Mandans, Minetares and Ahwabharways who are “the most friendly and well disposed savages we have yet met with.” Having completed shelters and fortifications, they called the settlement Fort Mandan in honor of their friendly neighbors. They have experienced more difficulty from the navigation of the Missouri than danger from Indians. He discusses at length the trip so far including the difficulties of navigation, the vegetation and game, the land they have passed through and the spirit of the party. He also writes that “I request . . . you will give yourself no uneasiness with respect to my fate, for I assure you that I feel myself perfectly as safe as I should do in Albemarle; and the only difference between 3 or 4 thousand miles and 130, is that I cannot have the pleasure of seeing you as often . . .” (4 pages) (Oversize), 1805 Mar 31, Box: OS: La-Le. Meriwether Lewis Papers, A0897. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center.

Letter signed Meriwether Lewis, Fort Mandan, 1609 miles above the entrance of the Missouri, to his mother, Mrs. Lucy Marks, Charlottesville, Virginia. He and his friend and companion Capt. Clark have decided, on account of the approach of winter, the low state of the water and the known scarcity of timber, to fortify themselves and remain for the winter near the Mandans, Minetares and Ahwabharways who are “the most friendly and well disposed savages we have yet met with.” Having completed shelters and fortifications, they called the settlement Fort Mandan in honor of their friendly neighbors. They have experienced more difficulty from the navigation of the Missouri than danger from Indians. He discusses at length the trip so far including the difficulties of navigation, the vegetation and game, the land they have passed through and the spirit of the party. He also writes that “I request . . . you will give yourself no uneasiness with respect to my fate, for I assure you that I feel myself perfectly as safe as I should do in Albemarle; and the only difference between 3 or 4 thousand miles and 130, is that I cannot have the pleasure of seeing you as often . . .” (4 pages) (Oversize), 1805 Mar 31, Box: OS: La-Le. Meriwether Lewis Papers, A0897. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center. https://mohistory.mobiusconsortium.org/repositories/2/archival_objects/44553 Accessed September 19, 2024.