Most Americans have heard the story of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore the new Louisiana Purchase area from 1804 to 1806. Jefferson also commissioned a second lesser-known expedition to explore the southern areas of that new frontier. The president asked William Dunbar, a Mississippi planter/scientist/surveyor, and George Hunter, a Philadelphia chemist/apothecary, to lead that expedition on the Red, Black, and Ouachita Rivers up to the hot springs. The two men and their crew mapped, described flora and fauna, tested the waters of the Hot Springs area, and sent Thomas Jefferson the first report on the huge territory that had just been purchased from France.
The journal in this collection was digitally reproduced from the one carried by Dunbar on the DunbarHunter exploration of the Ouachita River. Also included are copies of family correspondence, and other materials related to the Dunbar family and their Natchez, Mississippi, plantation, “The Forest.” For more information about this collection, view the finding aid.
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26: 1828 May 13: R.T. Dunbar (Florence) to William Dunbar, Jr. (Natchez)
R. T. Dunbar
1828 May 13: R.T. Dunbar (Florence) to William Dunbar, Jr. (Natchez)
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27: 1845 March 7: M.F. Dunbar (Forest) to Mrs. G.T. Olmstead "Dearest Sister" (Princeton, New Jersey)
M.F. Dunbar
1845 March 7: M.F. Dunbar (Forest) to Mrs. G.T. Olmstead "Dearest Sister" (Princeton, New Jersey)
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29: 1857 November 13: Allie (Philadelphia) to Jule
Allie Dunbar
1857 November 13: Allie (Philadelphia) to Jule
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![33: 1858 May 6: C.A. Page [?] (Philadelphia) to "My Darling Nephew" by C.A. Page](https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/dunbar/1035/thumbnail.jpg "33: 1858 May 6: C.A. Page [?] (Philadelphia) to \"My Darling Nephew\" by C.A. Page")
33: 1858 May 6: C.A. Page [?] (Philadelphia) to "My Darling Nephew"
C.A. Page
1858 May 6: C.A. Page [?] (Philadelphia) to "My Darling Nephew"
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34: 1899 December 22: A. Field "Mother" (Princeton) to Mrs. William (Mary) Dunbar (Forest near Natchez)
A. Field
1899 December 22: A. Field "Mother" (Princeton) to Mrs. William (Mary) Dunbar (Forest near Natchez)
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35: Justice of the Peace appointment, 1792: Manuel Gayoso do Lemos to William Dunbar
Manuel Gayoso do Lemos
Justice of the Peace appointment, 1792: Manuel Gayoso do Lemos to William Dunbar
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36: 1794: Manuel Gayoso de Lemos/William Dunbar
Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
1794: Manuel Gayoso de Lemos/William Dunbar
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37: 1794: Manuel Gayoso de Lemos/Melling Woolley
Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
1794: Manuel Gayoso de Lemos/Melling Woolley
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38: Dunbar estate documents (hand-copied), 1822-1835
Estate Document
Dunbar estate documents (hand-copied), 1822-1835
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39: Marriage certificate, 1869: Alfred Davis and Mary Dunbar
State of Louisiana
Marriage certificate, 1869: Alfred Davis and Mary Dunbar
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40: Marriage record, 1919: James M. Ogden and Marian Dunbar Davis
Parish of Orleans
Marriage record, 1919: James M. Ogden and Marian Dunbar Davis
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44: "Original plan of my beloved Mother's flower garden" by M.F. Dunbar, 1840
M. F. Dunbar
"Original plan of my beloved Mother's flower garden" by M.F. Dunbar, 1840
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45: Catechism "composed and written" by William Dunbar, 1760s
William Dunbar
Catechism "composed and written" by William Dunbar, 1760s
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47: Currency: 50 Cent Note
United States Notes
Currency: United States Fractional Currency, Fifty Cents Note
![28: 1857 June 14: [Allie] to Julie by Allie Dunbar](https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/dunbar/1029/thumbnail.jpg "28: 1857 June 14: [Allie] to Julie by Allie Dunbar")
![30: 1857 December 28: [Allie] to Jule by Allie Dunbar](https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/dunbar/1031/thumbnail.jpg "30: 1857 December 28: [Allie] to Jule by Allie Dunbar")
