106 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Dr. Marshall any inclination to explore the country west of 

 the Mississippi ? If so, I shall be glad to see him when he 

 comes to town." And on June 20th he writes to Dr. 

 Marshall : 



" Respected Friend : — By a conversation with thy uncle, 

 I find that thee is already acquainted with the wishes of 

 some gentlemen here to have our continent explored in a 

 western direction. My reason for writing at present is to 

 inform thee of the present state of the business. Mr. 

 Jefferson and several other gentlemen are much interested, 

 and think they can procure a subscription sufficient to 

 insure one thousand guineas as a compensation to any one 

 who undertakes the journey and can bring satisfactory 

 proof of having crossed to the South Sea. They wish the 

 journey to be prosecuted up the Missouri, as the easiest and 

 perhaps the most interesting track. ^ ^ ^ n thee has 

 any inclination, I think it would be very proper to come to 

 town immediately and converse with Mr. Jefferson, who 

 seems principally interested. I am confident that no small 

 matter will stop them if thee is disposed to engage in the 

 business. At any rate, shall be glad to hear from thee as 

 soon as possible, and am, with respect for thy uncle 

 and thyself, 



" Thy assured friend, 



'* Caspar Wistar, Jr." 



James Monaghan suggests that this letter indicates 

 that Dr. Wistar, at least, considered Dr. Marshall a suitable 

 person to lead the expedition, which afterward became 

 known to history as that of Lewis and Clarke, and there 

 seems to be no doubt that this was the case. In 1803 the 

 expedition under Lewis and Clarke set out, and proceeded 



