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First published in 1809. An early edition of the "apocryphal" Lewis and Clark, published in response to the growing demand by the public for more information on the expedition, with the implication that it was an official publication, but actually being little more that a compilation and rehashing of Jefferson's Message of 1806, Patrick Gass's Journal published in 1807, and plagiarizations of portions of Jonathan Carver and Alexander Mackenzie. Despite its suspect origins, and the massive criticism it has received from scholars (Coues called it a "wretched meretricious compilation") it is important in that it helped to shape the impressions of America at the time. This version is slightly different than the Philadelphia: 1809 first edition, with Fisher listed as the author/compiler. There were also editions published in London, Lebanon, Pennsylvania (in German), Frederick, Maryland (also in German), and another Baltimore edition before this one. Howes F153a; Sabin 24508; Wagner-Camp 8:7. Bookplate of Edgar J. Herbert.