SOME BACKGROUND
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
LEADING UP TO THIS LETTER:
June 1, 1792
KENTUCKY
is the 15th state admitted to the Union.
Kentucky became the first state carved from the great western wilderness.
March 4, 1801
THOMAS JEFFERSON
sworn in as the 3rd US President,
AARON BURR VP.
April 30, 1803
LOUISIANA TERRITORY
purchased by United States for $15 million.
May 17, 1804
LEWIS & CLARK
begin their expedition of the Louisiana Territory.
July 11, 1804
BURR HAMILTON duel.
March 4, 1805
THOMAS JEFFERSON
sworn in as President for a 2nd term,
George Clinton VP.
August 9, 1805
ZEBULON PIKE 1st Expedition
to explore the source of the
Mississippi River.
September 23, 1806
LEWIS AND CLARK return
from exploring the Louisiana Territory.
February 19, 1807
AARON BURR arrested for treason
and taken back to Virginia to stand trial
(after Gen. James Wilkinson altered coded letters
to testify to his own innocence and Burr's guilt)
November 29 to December 11, 1807
THE EVENTS OF THIS LETTER