PBA Galleries

18 lines, in ink, apparently a secretarial hand, signed by William Clark, with embossed paper seal. 23.5x19.2 cm. (9¼x7½"), on 1st page of 4-page lettersheet, with folds.

William Clark, once Meriwether Lewis' co-commander on the famous expedition across the continent, now governor of Missouri Territory, appoints his nephew, Benjamin O'Fallon, as "an Agent of Indian Affairs, for the tribes on the Mississippi, above the Ouisconsin within the Missouri Territory..." O'Fallon's mother, Francis Eleanor (Fanny) Clark, was the sister of William Clark, and of George Rogers Clark. She died young, and William helped raise young Benjamin in St. Louis. The appointment came when he was about 24 years of age. The text of the appointment continues: "... In discharging the duties of this appointment you will be governed by such instructions as you may receive from the Governor of the Territory of Missouri for the time being. Your compensation, to be fixed by the Secretary of War, will commence on the date of your entering upon the duties of this appointment..." Provenance: Descended in the Benjamin O’Fallon family.