The expedition was also tasked with studying the natural history and resources of the area, as well as establishing trade relations with Native American tribes.
The expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, set out from St. Louis, Missouri, in May 1804 and traveled up the Missouri River to its source. They then crossed the Rocky Mountains and descended the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition returned to St. Louis in September 1806.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a significant achievement in American history. It provided the United States with valuable information about the Louisiana Territory and helped to secure American control over the region. The expedition also helped to open up the West to exploration and settlement.