In January 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent a confidential message to Congress. He asked for 2,500 dollars to fund a secret journey into the American West. The mission was a state secret because the lands west of the Mississippi River didn't belong to the United States. Jefferson framed it as a commercial venture, an attempt to find a 'water communication' to the Pacific Ocean for trade. He chose his private secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to lead this 'Corps of Discovery'. Only later that April was the Louisiana Purchase finalized, doubling the size of the nation overnight. Congress approved the funds, and Lewis began planning a journey into a vast, unknown territory, tasked with finding the fabled Northwest Passage.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The epic journey of over two years to explore the American West and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.
Chapter 1
The Secret Mission
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Lewis and Clark expedition a secret at first?
President Jefferson requested funds in secret because the territory west of the Mississippi did not yet belong to the U.S. He framed it as a commercial mission to find a water route for trade. The Louisiana Purchase was only finalized after Congress approved the expedition.
What role did Sacagawea play in the expedition?
Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman, was a vital interpreter. Her presence with her infant son also signaled that the Corps of Discovery was a peaceful party. Most importantly, she was essential for negotiating with her native Shoshone tribe to acquire the horses needed to cross the Rocky Mountains.
What was the ultimate outcome of the expedition?
The expedition proved there was no easy water route to the Pacific. They returned with the first accurate maps of the West and documented hundreds of new plant and animal species. Their success greatly accelerated American westward expansion, which ultimately led to the displacement of many Native American tribes.
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