On the acquisition of Louisiana, in the year 1803, the attention of the government of the United States, was early directed towards exploring and improving the new territory.
Meriwether LewisThe day cold and fair with a high easterly wind: we were visited by two Indians who gave us an account of the country and people near the Rocky mountains where they had been.
Meriwether LewisThe musquetos continue to infest us in such manner that we can scarcely exist. My dog even howls with the torture he experiences.
Meriwether Lewis