Harrison to Jefferson
Vincennes 26th Novr 1803
Jefferson Papers, 2d series, vol. 42, no. 76
The Governor of the Indiana Territory presents his respectful compliments to the President of the United States and requests his acceptance of the enclosed map which is a copy of the manuscript map of Mr Evans[1] who ascended the Missouri River by order of the Spanish Government much further than any other person. [Indorsed:] Harrison Govr. Vincennes Nov. 26.03.recd Dec.20
Madison to Congress
December 1, 1803
Har. Pa. 4l5, 4l6
The Secretary of State to whom by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 2d March last was referred a Petition of sundry inhabitants of Post St. Vincennes in the Indiana Territory; has examined the same, and thereupon makes the following reports, viz. The petitioners assert a right to a tract of land which they describe as extending along the Wabash River from Point Coupee to the Mouth of the White River comprising about seventy-two miles above and below Post St. Vincennes, and on both banks of the said River from the little Wabash to the Protoeas [Panse au Pichou?] River, forming according to their computation an extent in this direction of two hundred and twenty-six miles. This right they pretend to derive from an Indian grant to their predecessors as the first settlers of that District, as well as from a subsequent confirmation of it by the Indians. It is on the basis of these pretentions that they express their hopes that Congress will "allow them at least a part in the
grants which have lately been made by the Indians to the United States" and they add the request that a small tract of Woodland on the banks of the Wabash may be annexed
- ↑ This seems to refer to Lewis Evans, a colonial geographer who died in 1756. His maps were published in 1776 and used by the British armies.