Lewis Goes to Harpers Ferry in 1803

Illustration: Joseph Perkins and Meriwether Lewis inspecting the assembled iron boat frame, NPS. 

With a letter written by Secretary of War Henry Dearborn in hand, Meriwether Lewis arrived on March 16, 1803 in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The letter was more like a purchase order, for it was addressed to Joseph Perkins, the superintendent of the armory and said, “Sir: You will be pleased to make such arms & Iron work, as requested by the Bearer Captain Meriwether Lewis and to have them completed with the least possible delay.”

In addition to rifles, Lewis ordered tomahawks, knives, powder horns and pouches, bullet molds, wipers, ball screws, gun slings, fish gigs, a grindstone, extra parts, and the legendary collapsible iron boat frame.

The Captain stayed for just over a month, departing on April 18, 1803. He would return to Harpers Ferry 11 weeks later to pick up his order.