Clark, William, as Brigadier General of Militia and Indian Agent for the Louisiana Territory

Autograph letter signed ("Wm Clark"), 1 page (9 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 246 x 199 mm) on a bifolium of wove paper, St. Louis, 12 June 1809, to Colonel Daniel Bissell, autograph address and reception docket on verso of second leaf; seal tear and repair, small loss to upper fore-edge corner of first leaf, backed with tissue on verso of first leaf and recto of second. Half green morocco folding-case, red morocco spine labels.

Clark sends a letter of welcome to Daniel Bissell, who had recently been appointed commander of the Eighth Military District by President Jefferson. This District encompassed the vast Missouri and Louisiana territories and would inevitably necessitate close cooperation between the two men.

"I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of today, and am happy to find that the Indian and factory Departments, will receive every support, from you which is possible: permit me to say that I was always fully Convinced of your readiness to give every aid in your power, consistent with Military duty, usages and Customs, to promote such regulations as might be productive of public good.

"The St. Louis Missouri Fur Company will leave this, day after tomorrow, and join the Boats at St. Charles; either of those gentlemen will take up, any Communications, which you may wish to send to Capt. Clemson." Eli Clemson was at the time commanding Fort Osage, which he had established the previous year with the assistance of Clark. Bissell was headquartered at Fort Bellefontaine, the first United States fort established in the Louisiana Territory and, at the time, the country's westernmost military installation. Autograph letters by William Clark are very uncommon.