Excerpt from President Jefferson’s
Instructions to Meriwether Lewis
In preparation for one of the greatest
explorations in American history, President
Thomas Jefferson wrote out instructions to
Meriwether Lewis. At the time, the West was
an unknown entity. Lewis and his cocommander, William Clark, were armed
with very little information about the
obstacles and dangers they would encounter.
In his letter, Jefferson informs Lewis of what
to look for, how to act, and what to do at
various points along the journey.
To Meriwether Lewis esq. Capt. of the
1st. regimt, of Infantry of the US. of A.
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 water of the Pacific Ocean may offer the most direct and
practicable water communication across this continent, for the purposes of commerce.
Beginning at the mouth of the Missouri, you will take observations of latitude and longitude at all
remarkable points on the river, and especially at the mouths of rivers, at rapids, at islands, and
other places…
The interesting points of portage between the heads of the Missouri and the water offering the best
communication with the Pacific Ocean should be fixed by observation and the course of that water
to the ocean. Your observations are to be taken with great pains and accuracy…
The commerce which may be carried on with the people inhabiting the line you will pursue renders
a knowledge of these people important. You will therefore endeavor to make yourself acquainted
… with the names of the nations and their numbers; the extent and limits of their possessions; their
relations with other tribes or nations; their language, traditions; their food, clothing; the diseases
prevalent among them, and the remedies they use; and articles of commerce they may need or
furnish and to what extent.
Other objects worthy of notice will be: the soil and face of the country, its growth and vegetable
productions, especially those not of the U.S.; the animals of the country . . . ; the mineral
productions of every kind . . . ; volcanic appearances; climate as characterized by the thermometer,
by the proportion of rainy, cloudy, and clear days, by lightning, hail, snow, ice . . . , by the winds, .
. . the dates at which particular plants put forth or lose their flowers, or leaf, times of appearance of
particular birds, reptiles, or insects.
In all your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most friendly & conciliatory manner
which their own conduct will admit. Allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey, satisfy
them of its innocence, make them acquainted with the position, extent character, peaceable &
commercial dispositions of the US. of our wish to be neighborly, friendly, & useful to them, & of
our dispositions to a commercial intercourse with them.
Source: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lewisandclark/transcript57.html
Name ___________________________________
Julian Ganchorre
Excerpt from President Jefferson’s
Instructions to Meriwether Lewis
Directions: After reading the excerpt from President Jefferson to Lewis answer the questions below in
complete sentences.
1. Why did President Jefferson give these instructions to Captain Lewis?
President Jefferson gave those instructions to Captain Lewis because they were armed
with very little information about the obstacles and dangers they would encounter.
In his letter, Jefferson informs Lewis of what to look for, how to act, and what to do at
various points along the journey.
2. What did President Jefferson hope this expedition would accomplish?
He hoped that their expedition would explore possibilities for growth and commerce in America.
President Jefferson hoped that this exploration would provide the groundwork for developing the nation for
future growth
3. What did he hope to learn about the physical geography of the region? Why might this be
important?
He wanted to know the best route from the Missouri river to the Pacific Ocean He also wanted to know what
mountains there were,
This was important because he wanted to find the best route for commerce and trade.
4. Why would it be important to know about the American Indian groups in the region?
He wanted to establish favorable relationships with the tribes to conduct commerce.
5. How did Jefferson instruct Lewis to interact with the American Indian groups they encountered?
He asked Lewis to treat the tribes with respect and authority.