The Expedition Begins

An American expedition set up by Thomas Jefferson would depart on this day May 14th 1804 The team was to cross the western portion of the United States and was made up of select group of U.S. Army Volunteers. In command was Captain Meriwether Lewis and his Second Lieutenant William Clark. Together the men would lead an exploration and create a map to the new United States territory known as the Louisiana Purchase. In addition the men would study area's plants, animal life and geography to allow a closer view and establish trade with local American Indian tribes.

Thomas Jefferson as president set up goals for the expediton

• find "most direct and practicable water way across the continent for the purpose of commerce
• declaring the United States sovereignty over the land with some many Indian tribes along the Missouri River
• finding out what resources was acquired during the Louisiana Purchase. 

The Lewis and Clark expedition remained hidden in history until around the 20th century. In the years 1904 and 1905 two important expositions in both St. Louis and Portland Oregon took place. The pair of Lewis and Clark were showcased as American pioneers. However the expedition received the most celebration during recent times. 

Gary E. Moulton created a complete and reliable set of expedition journals documenting the Lewis and Clark expedition . 

• May 14 , 1804 Lewis met up with Clark in St. Charles Missouri. Soon they would start a voyage to the Pacific Coast

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