Clark advised me that we would be starting a journey to the Pacific Ocean. President Jefferson is wanting to double the size of the United States by making a quick purchase from France for 15 million dollars. He called this the Louisiana Purchase and needed someone he could trust to go out and examine and map out the territory. Clark said that President Jefferson wanted Meriwether Louis to do this for him because of his knowledge of the army and the lands to the west. He said that Jefferson and Lewis planned and mapped out the trip and that Lewis wanted a partner who could recruit volunteers. Lewis chose old friend William Clark. I am Clark's servant, an African American. I'm skilled at hunting and a good outdoorsman. Capt. Lewis was an officer with the army at Fort Detroit. They decided to call themselves the Corps of Discovery.
May 14, 1803.
Today we start our journey to the Pacific Ocean. We hope to reach St. Louis by wintertime. We've been making our way along the Ohio River. The rain was terrible. I'm serving command under Captain Louis. We all work well together as a team. That's real important on a journey like this. Louis allowed me to carry a weapon. He says that I'm a good hunter and will use it to get food for everyone. We have been instructed to describe the land and map out where we travel. We have also been instructed to makes notes about the plants and animals seen along the way. We have packed beads, fabric, needles, scissors, axes, and sheets of copper to trade with the Indians. Clark and I have been friends since childhood.
June 2, 1803 .
McNeal and I went out on a trading voyage today. We came back with a good amount of dried meat and grease. Traded with some Indians that had never seen a man with my color of skin. .
October 30, 1803 .
We reached St. Louis where we will set up camp most likely through the winter until the Louisiana Purchase can be officially completed.