Portrait of William Clark OHS Collections

By the fall of 1802, Thomas Jefferson had asked Meriwether Lewis to lead an exploring journey to the Pacific. Many scholars argue that Jefferson’s grand design was probably fully matured by the time he was inaugurated as president in March 1801. Journalist-historian Bernard DeVoto concluded that sending the Lewis and Clark expedition west was “an act of imperial policy.” Historian Stephen Ambrose painted Jefferson in even larger terms:

“In an age of imperialism, he was the greatest empire builder of them all. His mind encompassed the continent.” As for the Indian residents of the West, Ambrose claimed that Jefferson was ruthless; he added that “hypocrisy ran through his Indian policy.”

In February 1803, before the United States purchased Louisiana from France, Jefferson asked Congress for appropriations for the expedition. While Lewis was awaiting Clark’s decision about joining the expedition, Jefferson sent Lewis instructions about the purposes of the undertaking:

 “The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River, & such principal stream of it as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river, may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across this Continent for the purposes of commerce.” [italics added]

©  William G. Robbins, 2002

Themes: People and the Environment,Exploration

Regions: Oregon Country

Date: 1800-1850

Author: William G. Robbins

Summary:
While Lewis was awaiting Clark’s decision about joining the expedition, Jefferson sent Lewis instructions about the purposes of the undertaking.