Meriwether Lewis writes to President Thomas Jefferson on April 7, 1805, from Fort Mandan, a Native American village on the banks of the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota.

“Dear Sir.

Herewith inclosed you will receive an invoice of certain articles, which I have forwarded to you from this place:. 67. specimens of earths, salts and minerals; and 60 specimens of plants; these are accompanyed by their rispective labels expressing the days on which obtained, places where found, and also their virtues and properties when known.

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