The Journals of Lewis and Clark (Masterplots, Definitive Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: William Clark, Meriwether Lewis
- First Published: 1814
- Type of Work: Record of exploration and adventure
- Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Diary, History
- Subjects: United States or Americans, Nineteenth century, Native Americans or American Indians, Frontier or pioneer life, Exploration or explorers
Critical Evaluation:
Well before the Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson had realized the need for more knowledge of the vast lands to the west of the settled United States. As early as November, 1802, he had inquired of the Spanish minister the official reaction of his country to a suggested investigating party of Americans passing through the Louisiana Territory (which was then Spanish, though, everyone knew, it was about to be given back to France) up to the source of the Missouri River.
Jefferson’s purposes were multiple. In the first place, it was wise, he...
[The entire page is 1387 words long]
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