"Indian Presents" Purchased by Meriwether Lewis

This document lists "Indian Presents" purchased by Lewis in preparation for the expedition to the West. In a secret message to Congress on January 18, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson had asked for $2,500 to explore lands west to the Pacific. Jefferson worked closely with Lewis, co-commander of the expedition, to ensure that he was well-prepared to anticipate the party's needs. While the party ran out of such luxuries as whiskey, tobacco, and salt, they had plenty of rifles, powder, paper, and ink.

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Indian Presents

12 Pipe Tomahawks | 8 3/4 | | | x 18 | 

6 ½ lbs Strips Sheet Iron | 6 1/2 | | | 1 | 62

1 ps. red flannel 47 ½ yd | 12 3/4 | 5 | 12 | 0 | x 14 | 94

11 ps. Handkerchiefs ass[orted] | 13 | 22 | 8 | 9 | x 59 | 83

1 doz. Ivory combs | 3 oz | 1 | 5 | 8 | 9 | x 59 | 83

½ Catty Ind[ian] S. Silk | 7 oz | 1 | 8 | 1 ½ | x 3 | 33

21 lb Tread ass[orted] | 21 lb | 8 | 13 | 9 | x 23 | 17

1 ps. Scarlet cloth 22 yds | 28 ¾ | 21 | 18 | 9 | x 58 | 50

5 ½ doz fan: Hos | | 7 | 1 | 6 | x 18 | 87

6 gro: Binding | | 4 | 8 | 5 | x 11 | 79

2 card beads | 26 ½ | 1 | 8 | 5 | x 11 | 79

4 doz: butcher knives | | 2 | 0 | 0 | x 5 | 33

12 doz: Pocket Looking Glasses | 12 1/2 | | | | x 5 | 19

15 Doz: Pewter [ditto marks] | 3 3/8 | | | | x 3 | 99

5 doz: Burning [ditto marks] | | | | x 12 | |

2 doz. Nonesopretty| ¾ | | | | x 2 | 74

2 doz. Red Striped tapers | 1 ½ | | | | x 2 | 74

72 pr: striped silk ribbon | 3 ¼ | | | | x 39 | 60

3 lb: red beads | 3 | | | | x 2 | 01

6 papers Small Bells | 1 ¼ | | | | x 4 | 02

1 box with 100 larger [ditto marks] | 1 3/16 | | | | x 2 | 25

73 Bassahes Beads ass[orted] | 20 | | | | x 41 | |

3 1/2 doz: Tinsel Beads ass[orted] | 20 | | | | x 41 | |

1 Thread | | | | |

1 doz: Needle cases | 5 ½ oz | | | | | 30

2 ¾ Doz Lockets | 3 oz | | | | x 3 | 56

8 ½ red beads | 8 ½ | | | | x 25 | 50

2 doz: earrings | | | | | x 1 | |

8 brass kettles | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | x 10 | 67

12 lb Brass Strips | 12 lb | 2 | 11 | 0 | x 6 | 80

500 broaches | | | | | x 62 | 07

72 rings | 1 ½ | | | | x 6 | 00

2 corn mills | 52 ¾ | | | | x 20 | 00

15 doz: scissors | 17 ¼ | | | | x 4/8 | 97

| | | | |Confirmed | 496 | 82

| | | | | add | | 53

| | | | | |507 | 35