President Jefferson writes to Reuben Lewis In January of 1805, eight months into the journey of the Corps. of Discovery, President Thomas Jefferson sent the below message to Captain Lewis' brother, Reuben, reporting on Lewis and Clark's plans to winter with the Mandan Indians in present day North Dakota.

Dear Sir: Washington, Jan. 4, 1805 I received last night the inclosed letter for Capt. Lewis at the same time information from St. Louis that on the 19th of August he was 850 miles up the Missouri. No accident had happened & he had been well received by all the Indians on his way. It was expected he would winter with the Mandans, 1300. miles up the river, about Lat. 48 from whence he would have about 1000 miles to the mouth of the Oregon river on the South sea. It is believed he may the ensuing summer reach that & return to winter again with the Mandans. If so we may expect to see him in the fall of 1806. Accept my salutations & best wishes. TH: Jefferson

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