What were Lewis and Clark commissioned to do?

The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804, when President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis with exploring lands west of the Mississippi River that comprised the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis chose William Clark as his co-leader for the mission.

What did Lewis and Clark do on their journey?

In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on a two-year journey to document the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. On the way to the Pacific, they collected information on plants, animals, and about some of the Native American nations living in the area.

Who was the Secretary of Treasury during the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

When the president suggested including expedition funding in his regular address to Congress, Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1761–1849) urged that the request be made in secret. The message purported to focus on the state of Indian trade and mentioned the proposed western expedition near the end of the document. Thomas Jefferson.

Where did Lewis and Clark set up camp?

A group of men climbed out and began to set up camp under a dark canopy of oak trees. Suddenly a violent storm moved in, pelting the area with snow and hail. A painting shows explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark navigating the Missouri River on their journey to the West Coast of the United States.

When did the Spanish intercept the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

After the Lewis and Clark expedition set off in May, the Spanish sent four armed expeditions of 52 soldiers, mercenaries, and Indians on August 1, 1804 from Santa Fe, New Mexico northward under Pedro Vial and José Jarvet to intercept Lewis and Clark and imprison the entire expedition.

What was the name of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

The Lewis and Clark Expedition from May 1804 to September 1806, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the first American expedition to cross the western portion of the United States.

Why did Lewis and Clark go on the voyage of Mackenzie?

The two men apparently took the voyage of MacKenzie as something of a challenge. Jefferson resolved that an American expedition should also explore the Northwest. Jefferson believed that an expedition to the Pacific could only be properly funded and sponsored by the US government.

What did Jefferson want to do with Lewis and Clark?

For at least twenty years before he launched Lewis and Clark across two thousand miles into immortality, Jefferson had planned for a transcontinental expedition starting up the Missouri River.

How long did it take Lewis and Clark to fly across the US?

An Overview of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. -by Al Bredenberg. These days, you can fly across the United States in six hours. Even if you have to take a car, you can do it in six days.