Exploring with Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

The Lewis and Clark Trust’s research brings the national scope of the Lewis and Clark Story and Expedition into full view, a nexus of history and geography.  Through the compilation of print and digital resources the first United States military exploration of the American West is presented in chronological order. Planning, equipping, escorting Sovereign Nation Tribal Chiefs, reporting to President Jefferson, and the Lewis and Clark Journal printing are all in the fabric of the Lewis and Clark Story. 

The referenced sources explain how the labors of the men and women of the Expedition are still guide posts for all people and ages. Constant leadership of the co-commanders, Lewis and Clark, and the non-commissioned Sergeants inspired the faithful support of the enlisted men and the hired crew. York, Sacagawea, and the Native American People are a major part of the expedition success and reflects the human element in the epic story. It is our sincere hope this narrative inspires the readers curiosity sufficient to locate “mis-placed” primary source documents that will further the knowledge of the Lewis and Clark Story. While the narrative follows their route of travel and the people they met, it leaves open in-depth research papers and books for future writing.

The theoretical Northwest Passage and foreign financial rivalry was never far from Thomas Jefferson’s mind. Donald Jackson said, “Three of the proposed explorations, George Rogers Clark, John Ledyard and Andre Michaux, either originated or abetted by Jefferson”. The abortive attempt by Lt. John Armstrong was initiated in the War Department at the direction of General Harmer, an attempt unknown to Jefferson.⁽¹⁾ The first successful military exploration of the West by Lewis and Clark is clearly founded in planning, preparation, and recruitment of people with the “right stuff’”. The exploration included recording the findings, and experiences as outlined in President Jefferson’s Orders to Meriwether Lewis. Equally important, the reporting and diplomatic phase, occurring after the 28- month Western Exploration, in which Jefferson directed Lewis to “repair yourself with your papers to the seat of the government”.⁽²⁾ The third phase lasted a number-of-years, and includes Lewis’ death in 1809, along with William Clark’s success in seeing that the journals and exploration map were published.

The Lewis and Clark story and trail has been described as a “string of pearls”. Each pearl is a Lewis and Clark site with its own important story within the national story. The historic and cultural identity of each site, community, and region strengthens the total story of Lewis and Clark, local and national. Each site should take pride in its location and part it played in the Lewis and Clark epic story.

Millions of words have been written by brilliant authors and scholars but the journals and material collected are the basis of their research and writing. Dr. Thomas P. Slaughter states the fact so very clear, “without the journals the expedition would be a footnote to history”.⁽³⁾ Clearly, it is time to use the full story of Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Journals and the thousands of related documents or sites to improve the lives of all people.