Message from the President of the United States Communicating Discoveries Made in Exploring the Missouri, Red River and Washita [...] by Captains Lewis and Clark [...]

New York: printed by Hopkins and Seymour, 1806. First Edition. Jefferson’s earliest report on the Lewis and Clark (and Sibley–Dunbar) expeditions. The first official publication to provide any detailed account of Lewis and Clark, and the first work to give any satisfactory account of the Southwestern portion of the Louisiana Purchase. It is also the first account of Texas in book form. Original self–wrappers, a few curls to edges but a fine copy, rare for this fragile item. The full account of Lewis and Clark was not until 1814 (PMM 272). There are 2 imprints for this item, Washington D. C. and New York. For some time, it was believed that Washington was a day or 2 earlier but recent analysis places the 2 imprints simultaneous, and the New York imprint is many times scarcer. 8vo (8 3/4 X 5 1/2 inches). 128pp. Folding table facing p. 24. Uncut. Stitched self-wrappers, brown morocco backed case. Ref: Graff 4407; Howes L319, “b”; Sabin 40824; Shaw & Shoemaker 11632; Streeter Texas 1038 Wagner–Camp 5:3; Literature of the Lewis and Clark Expedition 2b.4; Field 925. An essential Lewis and Clark and southwestern exploration piece. Thomas Jefferson’s report on the Lewis and Clark and Sibley-Dunbar expeditions: the first official publication to provide any detailed account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the first work to give any satisfactory account of the southwestern portion of the Louisiana Purchase, and “the first account of Texas in book form” (Streeter).

The scarce New York printing of the first official publication to provide any detailed account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the first work to give any satisfactory account of the southwestern portion of the Louisiana Purchase. The first section consists of material transmitted to Jefferson by Lewis, giving information on their route, the Indians, trade, animals encountered, and the geography. Equally important are the accounts of the southern explorations, which include two letters by Dr. Sibley, one on the Indian tribes of Texas and the other an account of the Red River and the adjacent country. Sibley gives a careful account of the language, characteristics, location, and population of the various Indian tribes in Texas, with some account of their relations with the Spanish and French. The description of Red River gives a good idea of the physical characteristics of the country. Streeter called this the first account of Texas in book form.

Jefferson’s report to Congress on the various western exploring expeditions he had dispatched to investigate Louisiana Territory was the most accurate and complete account of the area to appear until the official publications of Pike (1810) and Lewis and Clark (1814). It was widely cribbed by a press eager for information on the vast new lands. The report was published first in Washington, and this rarer New York edition appeared shortly thereafter. According to a Sotheby’s description on RBH, it was simultaneous. In their description it was noted that Washington was printed a couple days before. At the fair they mentioned it was simultaneous, but one bibliography said NY was a couple days later. .