Travels of the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean 3 Volume Set
Performed by Order of the Government of the United States, in the Years 1804, 1805, and 1806

Lewis and Clark's Expedition of 1804–1806 was of vital importance to the western expansion of the United States.

Meriwether Lewis (Author), William Clark (Author), Thomas Rees (Edited by)

9781108023818, Cambridge University Press

Multiple-component retail product, published 9 December 2010

1212 pages
33 x 25.2 x 7 cm, 2.05 kg

The Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804–1806 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 (1774–1809) 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. The importance of the expedition lay in its mapping of the territory, and establishing friendly relations with some of the native tribes.

Volume 1: 1. The party set out on the expedition, and pass Wood River
2. Some account of the Pawnee Indians
3. Whimsical instance of superstition of the Sioux Indians
4. Council held with the Tetons
5. Council held with the Mandans
6. The party increase in the favour of the Mandans
7. Indian method of attacking the buffaloe on the ice
8. Unusual appearance of salt
9. The party continue their route
10. Return of Captain Lewis
11. Description and romantic appearance of the Missouri at the junction of the Medicine River. Volume 2: 12. The party embark on board the canoes
13. The name of the Missouri changed, as the river now divides itself into three forks, one of which is called after Jefferson, the other Madison, and the other after Gallatin
14. Captain Lewis proceeds before the main body in search of the Shoshonees
15. Affecting interview between the wife of Chaboneau and the chief of the Shoshonees
16. Contest between Drewyer and a Shoshonee
17. The party, after procuring horses from the Shoshonees, proceed on their journey through the mountains
18. The party proceed in canoes
19. The party in their passage still visited by the Indians
20. First appearance of tide water in the Columbia River
21. Extravagant passion of the natives for blue beads, which constitute amongst them the circulating medium of the country
22. A party, headed by Captain Clarke, go in quest of a whale driven on the shore of the Pacific to obtain some of its oil
23. An account of the Clatsops, Killamucks, Chinnooks, and Cathlamahs. Volume 3: 24. A general description of the beasts, birds, and plants, &c. found by the party in this expedition
25. Difficulty of procuring means of subsistence for the party
26. Description of Wappatoo Island, and the mode in which the nations gather wappatoo
27. Captain Clarke procures four horses for the transportation of the baggage
28. The party still pursue their route towards the Kooskooskee on horseback, with Wollawollah guides
29. The party encamp amongst the Chopunnish
30. The party mingle in the diversions of the Willetpos Indians, a tribe hitherto unnoticed
31. The party proceed on their journey with their Indian guides, and at length agree to divide, to take several routes, and to meet again at the mouth of the Yellowstone River
32. Captain Lewis and his party still proceed on the route mentioned in the last chapter, and arrive at the forks of Maria's River
33. The party commanded by Captain Clarke, previous to his being joined by Captain Lewis, proceed along Clarke's River, in pursuance of the route mentioned in a preceding chapter
34. Captain Clarke proceeds with his party down the river
35. The party, while descending the river in their skin canoes, are overtaken by the detachment under Captain Lewis, and the whole party, now once more happily united, descend the Missouri together
36. The party return in safety to St. Louis.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]