170 Deane, Audubon Letters of Introduction. LApri 



UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION CAR- 

 RIED BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON ON HIS MIS- 

 SOURI RIVER EXPEDITION. 



BY RUTHVEN DEANE. 



Audubon, like many other people, when travelling in foreign 

 countries or going into new territory, supplied himself with letters 

 of introduction, which always rendered him great assistance in his 

 special objects, and made for him many life-long friends. 



It was about a year before he started on the memorable Missouri 

 River Expedition, that he began to correspond and talk up the trip 

 with those whom he had selected to make up his party. At that 

 time he secured letters of introduction and recommendation, but not 

 knowing to whom they would be presented they were necessarily of 

 the "to whom it may concern" type. The following five are of 

 special interest, as they only show further evidence of the very high 

 esteem in which Audubon was held by friends who were prominent 

 in official positions. Copies of these letters were found in the Audu- 

 bon account books, and I express many thanks to Mr. John E. 

 Thayer, in whose possession they are, for the liberty of publishing 

 them. 



I. 



United States of America, 

 Department of State. 



To all to whom these presents shall come — greeting. 



Know Ye, that the bearer hereof, John James Audubon, a dis- 

 tinguished naturalist and native citizen of the United States, has 

 made known to me his intention of travelling on the continent with 

 the view principally of aiding the cause of science by extending his 

 researches and explorations in natural history, and as he is known 

 to me to be a man of character and honor and worthy of all friendly 

 offices and of all personal regard, these are: therefore to request all 

 whom it may concern, to permit him to pass freely, without let or 

 molestation, and to extend to him all such aid and protection as he 

 may need, and which becomes the hospitality of civilized and 

 friendly nations. 



