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)

9781108023801, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

412 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.52 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 3 covers the return journey, during which Lewis and Clark separated to survey more of the tributaries of the Missouri.

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]