Travels to the Source of the Missouri River - Volume 1

The Lewis And Clark Expedition Of 18041806 Across America From Pittsburg To The Pacific And Back Was The Third Recorded Transcontinental Journey. President Jefferson Had Negotiated The Louisiana Purchase Of Over Two Million Square Kilometres From The French In 1803 And The Aim Of The Expedition Was To Investigate The Territory Involved. He Commissioned A Corps Of Discovery As A Scientific And Military Expedition To Survey The Acquisition Appointing His Aide Meriwether Lewis (17741809) To Lead It. It Was Hoped To Discover That The Missouri And Other Rivers Could Be Used For Transcontinental Communication And Transport And To Assess The Natural Resources Of The Area. Some Of The Party Returned East With Specimens Reports And A Map While The Remainder Reached The Pacific In December 1805. Volume 1 Covers The Departure And Contacts With Various Indian Tribes As Far As Great Falls Montana In June 1805.