Jefferson’s State of Union Messages with Early References to Western Expeditions (1805) & Return of Lewis and Clark (1806)

"[Lot of 2 - Thomas Jefferson's State of the Union Addresses in 1805 & 1806] The Balance, and Columbian Repository [and] Columbian Centinel",

A. Message Communicated to Both Houses of Congress, on Tuesday, the 3d of December, 1805, [in] The Balance, and Columbian Repository, published 1805 (9.5 x 11.5"). In this 8-page newspaper, Jefferson acknowledges tense relations with Spain which had not agreed to the boundaries of Louisiana. He advises that Indian delegations from beyond the Mississippi have begun to come to Washington and gives a tantalizing update on western explorations: “A state of our progress in exploring the principal rivers of that country and of the information respecting them hitherto obtained, will be communicated so soon as we shall receive some further relations which we have reason shortly to expect.” Condition: Light toning and a few spots of foxing. (B+)

B. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1806 … the President Was Pleased to Communicate the Following Message. To the Senate, and House of Representatives, &c., [in] Columbian Centinel, published 1806 (13.3 x 19.4"). In this message which takes up most of page 2, Jefferson writes: “The expedition of Mssrs. Lewis and Clarke, for exploring the river Missouri, and the best communication from that to the Pacific Ocean, has had all the success which could have been expected. The have traced the Missouri nearly to its source, descended the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, ascertained with accuracy the geography of that interesting communication across our country, learnt the character of the country, of its commerce and inhabitants, and it is but justice to say…[they] have, by this arduous service, deserved well of their country.“ Jefferson also notes Pike’s contribution to knowledge about the Mississippi and that his journal and map will he provided to the Congress shortly. This is a single folio sheet, lacking pages 3 and 4 of the complete issue for December 10, 1806. Condition: There are three small areas of loss along the left side, but they do not impact the President's message. Some areas of paper weakness are only visible when held to light and there is minor soiling. (B)

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Condition:

See description above.