To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 4 April 1804
From Henry Dearborn
Washington April 4th. 1804
Sir
In conformity to your note of the 1st. inst. I have made such an apportionment of the three thousand dollars appropriated for exploring Louisiana as appeared to me most expedient, which I herewith enclose. the scantiness of the fund renders it necessary to calculate on a future appropriation for the pay of the two Gentlemen to be imployed, after the end of the present year.—I had written to Doctr. Hunter to procure under the direction of Mr. Patterson, the necessary Instruments. I have now requested him to procure and take with him, the articles proper for Indian presents, and several other articles necessary for the expedition. I will write again to Mr. Dunbar and inform him of the arrangements made, and authorise him to draw on this department for such part of the fund as may be necessary for him to expend in the outfit, or to receive towards the pay of the persons imployed. I presume that it is intended that the two gentlemen imployed shall be allowed in addition to their pay, the necessary expences for provisions &c. on their tour, a considerable part of which will be included in the outfit.—
with the most respectful consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt.
H. Dearborn
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 9 Apr. and “Arkansa & Red river” and so recorded in SJL. FC (PHi); dated 3 Apr.; entirely in Dearborn’s hand; incorporating the itemized allocation of expenditures into the letter, and with variant and additional text; endorsed by Dearborn as dated 4 Apr.
Dearborn sent instructions regarding the Arkansas and Red River expedition to George hunter on 30 Mch. and 3 Apr. and to William dunbar on 31 Mch. and 4 Apr. After acquiring the astronomical instruments, presents, tools, gunpowder, flints, lead, and steels, Hunter was to proceed to Natchez and arrive there by 15 June. Thereafter he would receive three dollars per day while engaged on the actual business of the expedition. In addition to apprising Dunbar of his instructions to Hunter, Dearborn informed him that the commanding officer at New Orleans had been directed to supply the expedition with a military escort, boat, rations, and tools. Dunbar’s bills on the War Department were not to exceed $2,500 (FCs in Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS).