The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river, and such principal stream of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Meriwether Lewis

Explorers

Meriwether Lewis

Born in Virginia in 1774, Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, naturalist, and soldier who led the Corps of Discovery (1804-06) with William Clark on the first overland American expedition to the Pacific Coast. Appointed by President Thomas Jefferson, Lewis documented over 200 new species, mapped the vast western territory, and demonstrated the possibility of transcontinental travel. He died under mysterious circumstances at age 35.

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Source: Thomas Jefferson, Instructions to Meriwether Lewis, June 20, 1803Verified

Meriwether Lewis's Other Quotes

Ocean in view! O! the joy!

Of courage undaunted, possessing a firmness and perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from its direction.

We were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trodden.

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