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31 STORY OF LEWIS AND CLARK'S JOURNALS. 31 latter was minister to Great Britain, but in 1807 returned to practice law in Philadelphia. At the time of Clark's invitation Biddle was only twenty-four years of age. He had, nevertheless, already attained considerable reputation as a financier, lawyer, and man of letters in the last- named field, being editor of the Port- folio and socially was considered by many both the handsomest and the most charming man in Philadelphia, as he certainly was one of the most cultivated. It is small wonder that Clark chose him as the writer of the narrative. In his second letter to Biddle, dated February 20, 1810, from the home of his father-in-law, Col. George Hancock, near Fincastle, Va., then being visited by the General, he invites his young friend to come to him at that place, "where I have my books and memorandums and stay with me a week or two ; read over & make yourself thereby acquainted with everything which may not be explained in the Journals. * * * Such parts as may not be full, I can explain, and add such additional matter as I may recollect. I brought the books with me to Copy such parts as are intended for the Botanical work which I shall send to Doct r . Barton, and will deliver the Books to you if you will engage to write the naritive &c." On March 3 Biddle replied to Clark, regretting "that it will be out of my power to undertake what you had the politeness to offer," explaining that " My occupations nec- essarily confine me to Phil a . and I have neither health nor leisure to do sufficient justice to the fruits of your enter- prize and ingenuity. You cannot be long however with- out making a more fortunate selection." Two weeks later, however (March 17), he again ad- dressed Clark who was still at Fincastle and reports having seen some of the latter's friends in Philadelphia, the result of the conference being that he "will therefore very readily agree to do all that is in my power for the