# Missouri Gazette (St. Louis), Wednesday 4 October, Thursday 19 October and Thursday 2 November 1809: notices on Governor Lewis's departure, illness and death, with Frederick Bates's proclamation of 30 October 1809

CITATION: Missouri Gazette (St. Louis, Louisiana Territory; Joseph Charless, printer), vol. II: (a) Wednesday 4 Oct. 1809 [no. 63 by count], p. 3, col. 3 ("ST. LOUIS" local column); (b) Thursday 19 Oct. 1809 [no. 65 by count], p. 3, col. 1 ("ST. LOUIS, Thursday, October 19, 1809"); (c) Thursday 2 Nov. 1809 [no. 67 by count], p. 3, col. 3 ("ST. LOUIS, Thursday, November 2, 1809") and col. 4 (Bates's proclamation). Issue numbers are barely legible on the film; they are inferred from no. 76 = 4 Jan. 1810 (legible).
URL fetched: Internet Archive item "st-louis-la-mo-2-222" (microfilm scan "Missouri Gazette St Louis, July 1808 - Nov 1812", 921 JPEG frames): reel-2 frames https://archive.org/download/st-louis-la-mo-2-222/StLouis_La_MO_2%20051.jpg (4 Oct. p. 1, masthead), ...%20053.jpg (4 Oct. p. 3), ...%20061.jpg (19 Oct. p. 1), ...%20063.jpg (19 Oct. p. 3), ...%20069.jpg (2 Nov. p. 1), ...%20071.jpg (2 Nov. p. 3). Zoomed crops were made with PyMuPDF and read by eye.
DATE FETCHED: 2026-09-14
TRANSCRIPTION: FACSIMILE-READ BY THE RESEARCHER from a low-resolution microfilm scan (about 950 x 1500 px per page). Readings are careful but NOT OCR-verified; doubtful words are marked [?]. Long-s and italics are not reproduced; punctuation follows the print as far as legible. Treat this as a good but unverified transcription and cite the frame numbers.

---- (a) 4 October 1809, p. 3, col. 3 (local column, after a Washington City item dated Sept. 4) ----

A report prevailed here last week, that his Excellency Governor Lewis was much indisposed at New Madrid; we were informed yesterday by a person direct from that place, that he seen[?] him set off in good health for New Orleans, on his way to the Federal City.

[next items in the column:] We learn that the Commissioners for the adjustment of land claims in Illinois territory, will finish all their business by January next, and make their report. / The fate of Austria appears to be decided. For particulars see the news under the Baltimore head in the foregoing columns.

---- (b) 19 October 1809, p. 3, col. 1, under "ST. LOUIS. Thursday, October 19, 1809." ----

[first item:] Judge Stuart's[?] excellent address to the grand jury of Randolph County, Illinois Ter. is received, and shall have a place in our next.

Col. Bissell politely favored us with the following extract of a letter from Major Stoddard dated Nashville Sep. 28.—We sincerely hope that the next communication may bring the agreeable news of Gov. Lewis' health being perfectly restored.

"I have some unhappy intelligence to give you, I saw a gentleman in the Chickasaw nation, directly from the Bluffs, who informed me, that Governor Lewis was at that place much indisposed, that he was so for several days previous to his arrival. Capt. Russell received him into his quarters and secured his property."

"He was under the hands of the surgeons mate Dr. Smith, but no alteration for the better had taken place when my informant left the bluffs. This affair has given me much pain, and I leave it with you to divulge it to the Governors friends in such manner as you may think proper."

[The same page, col. 4, carries a proclamation by Frederick Bates dated St. Louis, 16 October 1809, on militia fines (not transcribed).]

---- (c) 2 November 1809, p. 3, col. 3, under "ST. LOUIS. Thursday, November 2, 1809." ----

Several papers announce the appointment of Gen. Hampton of S. Carolina, to the chief command of the U. States army.

The Spanish generals, Cuesta and Romana, have resigned, they were seen in the streets of Algeciras in the costume of private gentlemen.

By last mail we received the melancholy account of the premature death of his Ex'y. Governor Lewis; he landed at the Chickasaw Bluff's much indisposed, and shortly after set out on his way to the Federal City, via Nashville; about 40 miles east of the river Tennessee, the party stopped for the night and became much alarmed at the governors behavior, he appeared in a state of extreme mental debility, and before he could be prevented, discharged the contents of a brace of pistols in his head and breast, calling to his servant to give him a bason[?] of water; he lived about two hours and died without much apparent pain. The governor has been of late very much afflicted with fever, which never failed of depriving him of his reason; to this cause we may ascribe the fatal catastrophe! Alas Lewis is no more—his bodily conflicts are over—his days have been numbered—the scene is closed for ever——He was no less conspicuous for his native affability, suavity[?] of manners, and gentleness of disposition, than those domestic virtues which adorn the human character—a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a kind and feeling friend.——Reader, picture to thyself, the poignant feelings of a fond and doting parent, on being informed of the death of a son, whose general worth was highly appreciated by those who knew him.
    Adieu! kind friend, thy own harmonious ways,
    Have sculptur'd out thy monument of praise;
    Yet thou'lt survive till time's remotest day,
    Till drops the bust, and boastful tombs decay.

[next item:] Letters from England, dated Aug. 11, mention the receipt of a French decree, interdicting all trade to French, Dutch, or allied ports. One letter also mentions that King Lewis had been recalled from the throne of Holland, and that country declared to be annexed to France.

---- (c) 2 November 1809, p. 3, col. 4 ----

BY FREDERICK BATES, Secretary of the Territory of Louisiana, and exercising the government thereof.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, his Excellency Governor Lewis, did, by Proclamation, bearing date the 22d day of June last, offer a reward of six hundred dollars for the apprehension and delivery of Miranante[?] and Mashkakaki[?], two Indians of the Ioway tribe, charged with the murder of Joseph Tibeau[?]; or half that sum for the apprehension and delivery of either of them:
And whereas, in addition to the supposed illegality of detaining those fugitives, in the event of their commitment, much doubt may be reasonably entertained, with respect to the fund, on which this disbursement could be legally chargeable:
Now therefore, be it known that after mature consideration of the premises, I have, and do hereby revoke the said Proclamation, so far as it may be considered an assurance of reward for the apprehension of both or either of the said Indians.
    In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Territory of Louisiana.
    Given under my hand, at St. Louis, the thirtieth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and nine, and of the Independence of the U. States of America the thirty fourth.
    FREDERICK BATES.