Colonel Grimsley's Proposed Expedition 437 know more if anything of our own country than we do ourselves. And from what I have seen and gleaned from these men I would not be surprised if there were now to be found in the Library of the British Parliament maps and charts of the country compiled within the last six years which are far superior to anything of the kind in America. I would be highly complimented by a line from you touching the above subject if consistent with your duty as an officer. I remain, with great respect, Your Obt Servt, Thornton Grimsley. Hon. J. Bell, Secty of War. St. Louis 16th June, 1841 Sir;— I have just received your favor of the 5th Instant in answer to Col. A. P. Field's letter of previous date. The reasons assigned for not giving me the invitation in place of Col. O'Fallon, who declined, are perfectly sat- isfactory, and such as we should always look for from a department of the government as ably managed as the one you have the honor to preside over. I have taken the liberty to address you on several subjects connected, as I thought, with the interests of our own country, since you have been in your present high and honorable station ; and have written with a freedom which would have been unwarranted were you not a public officer. In one or more of my letters to you, and in one to Mr. Tyler, I was free to mention the great advantage which would result to American citizens from an occupancy of the Origon Territory. The present is an extra session, and of course nothing can be done in the business, and at present I will merely refer you to my former letters on the subject with the addition of some late news.
