In part three of Books That Shaped America, Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs explored the Journals of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of their historic expedition. While the mission of the Corps of Discovery was primarily to explore the uncharted West, there were certain elements that were not part of their official mission.
One aspect that was not officially part of their mission was Congress. Although the expedition was authorized and funded by Congress, the primary goal was exploration and not political engagement. The expedition leaders, Lewis and Clark, were primarily tasked with mapping out the newly acquired territory and establishing relationships with Native American tribes.
Similarly, the White House played a minimal role in the expedition. While President Thomas Jefferson initiated the expedition and had a vested interest in its success, he did not actively participate in the day-to-day operations. The decision-making and execution of the mission were left to Lewis and Clark, who were given significant autonomy in their decisions.
Gun laws were also not a part of the mission of Lewis and Clark. While the expedition members carried firearms for self-defense and hunting, their main focus was on scientific exploration and establishing peaceful relations with Native American tribes. The use of firearms was a necessity for survival in the untamed wilderness, but it was not the primary objective of their journey.
National security, as we understand it today, was not a primary concern for Lewis and Clark. Their mission was more focused on mapping out the territory, studying the flora and fauna, and establishing trade routes. While they did encounter hostile encounters with some Native American tribes, their primary objective was to establish peaceful relations and gather knowledge about the newly acquired lands.
Lastly, the international aspect was not a significant component of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The focus was primarily on exploring and mapping the newly acquired territory of the United States, rather than engaging with foreign nations. The expedition members did come into contact with various Native American tribes, but the primary goal was to gather information about the land and its inhabitants.
