Travels to the Source of the Missouri River
And Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean 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)

9781108023788, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

448 pages, 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.57 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. Volume 1 covers the departure and contacts with various Indian tribes, as far as Great Falls, Montana, in June 1805.

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.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]