On May 2, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the United States through a treaty with Napoleon Bonaparte that negotiated the possession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, alias the Louisiana Purchase. Adamant on finding a viable waterway that connected the Missouri River to the Pacific in hopes of strengthening commerce, Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to venture into the uncharted region. Although the desired water route proved to be nonexistent, the Corps of Discovery Expedition managed to redeem itself by bringing insight into the economic potential and characteristics of the land as well as endless encounters with the land's flora, fauna, and natives. Preliminary Preparations Jefferson's resolution when it came to the unearthing of the unprecedented secrets held by the western part of North America was implacable. It plagued his mind when the Louisiana Purchase had yet to present itself as an opportunity and even before he took office. The Lewis and Clark Expedition had in fact been Jefferson’s fourth attempt at appeasing his curiosity, with its three predecessors failing before they began. The first strive occurred in 1783, when the position of commander was offered to George Rodgers Clark, who was quick to reject the proposition in refusal to part with …show more content…
Lewis and Clark took everything from clothing, weaponry, and camping equipment to medicine and gifts to present to the Indians upon encounter with the several tribes of the land. Their mode of transportation for their crew of four dozen was carried out through the use of a 55-feet-long keel boat along with two smaller pirogues. Alteration to their form of transportation and obtainment of food changed as resources dwindled the further they ventured into the unknown. Their expenses amounted to a whopping