Lewis Receives Passport from Great Britain

Photo:  Portrait of Edward Thornton, British diplomat to the U.S., by Gilbert Stuart, circa 1799.  Public Domain. 

On February 28, 1803, Meriwether Lewis received his “passport” from Great Britain, allowing him to safely pass should he and his party encounter British subjects throughout their western expedition. The letter came at the request of President Jefferson.

The letter, issued by Edward Thornton, British diplomat in Washington City, included, “…the bearer, Captain Merriwether [sic] Lewis, citizen of the United States of America, is sent (under the authority of the said United States) to explore the headwaters and shores of the Missoury [sic] and the western parts of the North American continent. I therefore pray all to whom these presents shall come, either his Majesty superintendents of Indian affairs or subjects of his Majesty who are engaged in trade with the said tribes, not only to permit the said Captain Lewis to pass without hindrance or impediment whatsoever, but also to rend him all the aid and all the protection which shall depend on them…”

Thornton quickly summarized the secretive origins of the U.S. Expedition in a letter sent to British Lord Hawkesbury, who was in Philadelphia on March 9, 1803.

A similar French passport letter would be sent from France diplomat, Louis Andre Pichon, written on March 1, and delivered to the president on March 4.