Rejected Territorial Expenditures

Rejected Bills of Exchange (A written order binding one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party, on demand) written for U. S. Government expenses left the financial responsibility for payment on Lewis or Clark. The Bills of Exchange were for amounts as small as $18.75 for English to Spanish translation of the Territorial Laws to $1575.95 for printing of the Territorial Laws. War Department accountant, William Simmons was controlling the Federal "purse" with a tight fist beyond reason, a fact Lewis had already experienced while settling expedition expense. Simmons was a War Department Accountant and had become an impediment to the effective operation of his office. ⁽¹⁾ The lack of or even reduction in Federal funds flowing into St. Louis would leave the territorial financial “house of cards” in a very precarious situation. ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾

After developing a coordinated strategy to settle their disputed Bills of Exchange, Lewis and Clark left St. Louis heading east by separate routes and at slightly different times. Lewis left by boat on 4 September 1809, with the intention of traveling to New Orleans, sailing to Baltimore then overland travel to Washington, DC. However, as he floated down the hot and humid Mississippi River, he had time to rethink his plans and started changing his mind. At the same time, he felt his old nemesis ague returning - malaria (ague) was caused by parasites transmitted through mosquitoes. Equally disturbing, there were reports from boats going up river of "the fever" further down river. Additionally, the increased hostilities with the British impressing American sailors and concerns for his documents, including the unpublished expedition journals, made Lewis change his travel plans.

During the trip, Lewis paused to update his will, witnessed by Francois Trenchard, a prominent land owner between Lake Gayoso and the Mississippi River, and Lewis' Servant, John Pernier. Writing a will or designating a Power-of-Attorney before a long and dangerous trip was not unusual in that day. The boat crew’s concern for Lewis’ health and safety became great. They advised Captain Gilbert Russell, Fort Pickering Commander, that Lewis had twice tried to get out of the boat and jump into the water. Both situations play into future evaluations of Lewis' state of health. Medical professionals today confirm that a malarial attack brings on a confused state of mind and high temperature. There is no wonder that Lewis tried to cool-off in the river water. ⁽⁴⁾ Lewis' health was similar-to countless individuals in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valley in the early 1800's. Hundreds of settlers in the region were carriers of the malarial parasite Plasmodium, even Thomas Jefferson, who never visited the Ohio River valley, experienced the ague. ⁽⁵⁾

When Lewis arrives at Ft. Pickering the fort was not new to him. The fort was the fifth built on the bluffs, all on the future site of Memphis, TN., Ft. Assumption, built by the French, San Fernando by the Spanish, and Ft. Adams, the third fort was an American fort. Ft. Adams, the third fort was renamed Ft. Pickering for the Secretary of State Timothy Pickering and eventually moved three miles south to a location near the American Indian Mound. The location provided a better view of the river. ⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾ In January 1798, Secretary of War James McHenry, directed that Capt. John Pierce be sent to command Ft. Pickering along with what he called "a select corps of incomparable rascals under Lewis, Marschaulk and Steele". When Pierce died from the "fever" Lewis assumed command. ⁽⁸⁾

Also in 1798, a friend and former commander of Lewis, William Clark, now a civilian, took a boat load of products down the Mississippi River to sell in New Orleans. Clark drew maps of the Mississippi River that included Ft. Adams, the future Ft. Pickering. It is not a stretch of the imagination to believe William Clark visited with Lewis at the fort, though we find no verifying source.

In August 1798, Col. John F. Hamtramck, leading an advanced party of Gen. James Wilkinson's Army, reached Ft. Adams and directed Lewis to prepare to move the fort to the elevated site near the Indian Mound. (Today the mound is in Chickasaw Heritage Park (Chikasaha Heritage Park). The mound is described as a Woodland and Mississippian culture mound dating 400-700 AD and 1000-1500 AD and believed to be used as a pre-contact ceremonial center. The location allowed a north and south view of the Mississippi River. Today the park is entered from Riverside Boulevard and Ornamental Metal Museum Drive. ^(9)(10)

The fort where Lewis would arrive 15 September 1809, ill and in need of medical assistance, was the not new to him.

The Governor's illness was very concerning to Captain Russell. Lewis was placed in Russell's private quarters where he could be observed. Excessive use of alcohol and opium used for treatment of the malaria attack had placed a severe strain on Lewis' health. ⁽¹¹⁾

On 18 September, Militia Major James Neeley, U. S. Agent to the Chickasaw Indians, arrived at Ft. Pickering. Major Neeley had been appointed to the position on 9 August 1809, after the position had been vacant for a year. ⁽¹²⁾ The exact reason Major Neeley traveled to the fort is uncertain; however, his responsibilities would include transporting treaty annuities and other supplies to the agency headquarters at Houlka. White people, "squatters", intruding on Chickasaw lands and their removal would be a joint responsibility for the Major

and Captain.

Site of Ft. Pickering, present day, Metal Museum, 314 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN

Courtesy: Lewis and Clark Trust

Neeley’s arrival provided an opportunity for a larger party to travel east with greater security. After securing cash and credit for two horses for the journey, Lewis, his servant John Pernier, Major Neeley, and “Captain Tom”, Reuben Lewis' Negro servant, left Ft. Pickering for the Chickasaw Agency on 29 September. ⁽¹³⁾ While their route of travel was not defined, the logical route of their travel was along the Indian Trail listed as Trail 105 or 119 in Indian Trails of the Southeast by William E. Meyer. ^(14)(15) Today, US 78 and I-22 is the corridor of travel through the region. Additionally, either trail would balance with a historical accepted rate of 20 miles per day on horseback, when traveling with other horses in a "pack-train". Lewis' weakened condition from the illness and treatment made the 20 miles per day a real strain on his body and mind. [Raw numbers based on today's roads: the 127 miles from Memphis, TN to Old Houlka, MS divided by 6 days of travel time -29 September through 4 October- equals 21.2 miles per day.] The party would have passed in the vicinity of Holly Springs, MS and Chuahla Shintok (Mound) GPS 34.73278 -89.333972 and the lngomar Shintok (Mound) GPS 34.39641, - 89.051971. The lngomar Mound is approximately 10 miles south of New Albany, MS and near today's Tanglefoot Trail. Lesser-known Tribal sites are logical over-night stops where food, water and shelter could be found. ⁽¹⁶⁾

Editorial Note: This is a good place to suggest that seven places in Northern Mississippi are helpful in understanding the relationship of Meriwether Lewis the cultural and geography of Northern Mississippi.

These sites vividly interpret the culture and history:

Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway

Tupelo, MS 38804

662-680-4027

Union County Heritage Museum 114 Cleveland Street

New Albany, MS 386S2 662-538-0014

Pontotoc Town Square Museum and Post Office 59 South Main Street

Pontotoc, MS 38836

800-275-8777

Chickasaw Heritage Center Chickasaw lNKANA Foundation opening in 2027 https://inkana.org/

Holly Springs National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/mississippi/recreation/holly-springs

Chickasaw Game Management Area https://mapcarta.com/21188582/Map

Mississippi Hills Heritage Area https://mississippihiIls.org/history-culture/

Ford across Tallahatchie River (34°29’03.62”N 89°01’12.51”W) New Albany, Union County, MS The ford is in the New Albany Sports Plex. The Tallahatchie Trail runs along the river.

Explorer Meriwether Lewis traveled through this area in 1809 en route to Washington, D C, on what would become his final journey. Departing St. Louis on September 4, Lewis arrived at Fort Pickering (now Memphis, Tennessee) and then moved overland into the Chickasaw Nation. He crossed the Tallahatchie River near here on his way to the Chickasaw Agency, which was located near the Natchez Trace in Pontotoc County. Lewis died from a gunshot wound at Grinder’s Stand in Tennessee on October 11, 1809.

The Tanglefoot Trail, a 43.5-mile Rails-to-Trails corridor between New Albany and Houston, MS, is part of the Col. William Clark Falkner Railroad System. The paved trail follows the historic trail used by Lewis in 1809 as he traveled to the Chickasaw Agency.

Lewis, Neeley and party arrived at the Chickasaw Agency, Old Houlka, MS on 4 October 1809. In 1801, Agent, Samuel Mitchell had stated building the headquarters and center of commerce for the benefit of the Chickasaw People. The main house was 30 feet long with nine-foot-deep porches along the entire length of the front and rear with a central chimney having back-to back fire places, built in a style known as a "saddlebag". Additionally, there was a corn house, potato house, meat house, loom house, kitchen. and wheelwright/carpenter shop. After hiring a blacksmith in 1807, a blacksmith shop was built. The location was on the Pontotoc Ridge, near the Natchez Trace. ⁽¹⁷⁾ In-addition to serving the Chickasaw People the location provided services and accommodations for boatmen traveling north, the so-called "Kaintucks".

Courtesy: NPS-Natchez Trace Parkway

If Lewis told the Chickasaw Leaders about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, they would have recognized the Clark name. The Colbert brothers were successful leaders of the Chickasaw People and had led the attack on Ft. Jefferson built by George Rogers Clark in 1780 near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Lt. William Clark, as General Anthony Wayne’s diplomat to the Chickasaw People, delivering gifts of muskets, powder, lead, corn, salt, and whiskey to secure their alliance with the United States against the Indians in the Ohio Country. ⁽¹⁸⁾ William was successful in the mission and returned to Wayne’s headquarters with Chickasaw Chief Underwood and seven (7) Warriors, “who appear determined and anxious for action”, Wayne reported to Secretary of War Knox. ⁽¹⁹⁾ The Chickasaw relationship was further strengthened in 1801 at the Treaty of Chickasaw Bluffs when Chief George Colbert was presented a Silver Jefferson Peace Medal. ^(20)(21)

Jefferson Peace Medal ⁽²²⁾

After resting at the agency for two (2) days the party set out again on 6 October following the U. S, designated Natchez Trace, the more historic Chickasaw Trace. The party passed near the Pharr Mounds (Natchez Trace Parkway Mile marker 286.7) North of Tupelo ⁽²³⁾ and crossed the Tennessee River on the morning of 9 October, where Chickasaw Chief George Colbert operated a Stand and Ferry. ⁽²⁴⁾ That evening the party camped near present-day Collinwood, TN (Natchez Trace Parkway Mile Marker 355). The next morning two (2) horses had strayed and Neeley searched for the horses while Lewis promised to wait at the first house along the Trace inhabited by white people. ⁽²⁴⁾

Unfortunately, we have no record of Meriwether Lewis describing his impression of the parklike region or culturally rich area which he was traveling though. Fortunately, we have the National Park Service- Cultural Landscape Inventory 1998, Meriwether Lewis – Natchez Trace Parkway. From the early effort to protect Lewis’ grave, successive Tennessee and Federal Agencies have protected the Meriwether Lewis Grave Site. The Cultural Landscape Inventory for the Lewis Grave is an excellent demonstration of historic preservation. The pictures in the report present a clear description of the site and stately beauty of a park like setting over the past 100 years or more. Lewis’ death is a heartbreaking end to a brilliant and accomplished young life. The beautiful and respectful park is a memorial to a successful public servant. Meriwether Lewis should be honored for his accomplishments, including his leadership during the first recorded exploration of the American West, instead of the societal cloud that hangs over Meriwether Lewis’ mysterious death.

Meriwether Lewis Site, Natchez Trace Parkway

Courtesy: Lewis and Clark Trust

The National Park Service Report clearly shows with pictures, dating 1905 forward, along with a narrative detailing the care of local, state, and federal agency care for the final resting place for Governor Meriwether Lewis.

Archaeologically documented, the area of Northern Mississippi, Northwestern Alabama and Western Tennessee had supported human habitation since 6000 BC. The Chickasaw People, a European pronunciation of “Chickasah”, are recorded contacting with DeSota in 1540 and again with LaSalle in 1682. Significant trade with the Chickasaw and Choctaw People, began in 1698 when they were visited by the Thomas Welch trading party. ⁽²⁵⁾