Description: Clark William

William Clark, 1/2 of Famous Expedition, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs

2pp letter signed by American explorer William Clark (1770-1838) as "WmClark" at the top of the second page. Written at the Superintendency of Indian Affairs at St. Louis, Missouri on September 27, 1832. Inscribed overall in a secretarial script on cream bifold paper. The integral address leaf is docketed. Horizontal creases, some of which are well-worn or with isolated minor loss (only one word is affected) have been professionally repaired, else near fine. 8" x 9.875".

In full:

"Superintendency of Ind: Affs.

St. Louis Sept: 27. 1832.



Colo. Ira Cottle,

Sir,



The papers relating to your claim against the Fox Tribe for thirty head of cattle stolen by them in 1816, are herewith inclosed to you, they having been returned by the War Department, disallowed, for reasons stated in the enclosed extract of Mr. Herrings letter of the 10th inst. - B [eli] eving your claim to be strictly just, I would recommend to you to place it in the hands of either of the Representatives from this state.

I am Sir,

very respectfully



Your most obt Servt.



WmClark."

William Clark was one half of the duo Lewis & Clark, tasked with exploring the massive territorial expanse recently acquired by the Louisiana Purchase; establishing trading and diplomatic relationships with indigenous groups; and finding a waterway to the Pacific Northwest. After his 1804-1806 expedition, Clark served as Governor of the Missouri Territory between 1813-1820. He acted as Superintendent of Indian Affairs headquartered at St. Louis between 1822 and his death. In this capacity, Clark mediated conflicts between settlers and Indians, implemented punishment or restitution measures, supervised Indian removal, established and enforced boundary lines, issued passports and licenses, and performed a number of other administrative duties.

Ira Cottle was a cattle rancher who supplied beef to settlers and soldiers garrisoned at frontier settlements in Missouri.

The Fox tribe was historically from the Great Lakes Region, but it was forced ever southward by colonization. They had ended up in the American Midwest by the nineteenth century.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!