renew the essay with better calculated means. To your own
discretion, therefore, must be left the degree of danger you may
risk, and the point at which you should decline, only saying, we
wish you to err on the side of your safety, and to bring back your
party safe, even if it be with less information.

"As far up the Missouri as the white settlements extend, an
intercourse will probably be found to exist between them and the
Spanish posts of St. Louis opposite Cahokia, or St. Genevieve
opposite Kaskaskia. From still further up the river the traders may
furnish a conveyance for letters. Beyond that you may perhaps be
able to engage Indians to bring letters for the government to
Cahokia, or Kaskaskia, on promising that they shall there receive
such special compensation as you shall have stipulated with them.
Avail yourself of these means to communicate to us, at seasonable
intervals, a copy of your journal, notes and observations of every
kind, putting into cypher whatever might do injury if betrayed.

"Should you reach the Pacific ocean, inform yourself of the
circumstances which may decide whether the furs of those parts may
not be collected as advantageously at the head of the Missouri
(convenient as is supposed to the waters of the Colorado and Oregan
or Columbia) as at Nootka Sound, or any other point of that coast;
and that trade be consequently conducted through the Missouri and
United States more beneficially than by the circumnavigation now
practised.

"On your arrival on that coast, endeavour to learn if there be any
port within your reach frequented by the sea vessels of any nation,
and to send two of your trusty people back by sea, in such way as