Soldier and explorer (1770-1838) who, with Meriwether Lewis, undertook a two-year expedition in 1804 to discover a navigable route to the Pacific Ocean, in the process exploring and later describing much of the course along the Missouri River. Following the expedition, Clark resumed his military career, serving as agent for Indian affairs in St. Louis and leading a number of campaigns during the War of 1812. Partly-printed DS, signed “Wm. Clark,” one page, 7.5 x 12.25, April 11, 1803. Indenture between George R. Clark, William Sullivan, Samuel Gwathmey, Davis Floyd, and William Clark of Indiana, and John Harrison of Kentucky, for a plot of land in Clarksville "containing fourteen Acres & a half." Signed at the conclusion by William Clark; the "G. R. Clark" signature is secretarial. In good to very good condition, with moderate overall foxing, and paper loss and nearly complete separations along the fragile intersecting folds.
The site that would become Clarksville, Indiana, was first used as a base of operations by William's brother, George Rogers Clark, during the American Revolution. After the war, George R. Clark was granted a tract of 150,000 acres for his military service—a portion of this became Clarksville. In the same year this document was signed, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery, naming Meriwether Lewis as its leader. Lewis selected William Clark as his partner, and the famed 'Lewis and Clark Expedition' commenced a year later on May 14, 1804. A significant early American autograph from a most important period.
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