NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
? Many Polish Immigrant? ? Many people have tried to do what Meriwether Lewis has done, but have failed. ? Lewis was born August 18, 1774. ? His family had a history of Hypochondria (depression). ?
As a boy his father died and he inherited a 2, 000 acre plantation, 520 pounds in cash, 24 slaves, and 147 gallons of whiskey. ? By the time he became a teenager Lewis had become an alcoholic. ? As he became older he joined the army and helped put down the whiskey rebellion. ? The whiskey rebellion started because the government put a tax on whiskey, and many of the frontiersman couldnt pay it On Febuary 23, 1801 Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to be his secretary. ? The job paid $ 500 a year. This was much less than he made at the plantation but he still accepted. ?
As Thomas Jefferson and Meriwether Lewis became friends Thomas Jefferson taught Meriwether Lewis to read. ? Thomas Jefferson wanted to explore America so he asked Lewis to lead an expedition to the Pacific coast and back. ? He agreed but he knew it would be long and hard and that they would need many supplies. ? Meriwether bought 15 Pennsylvania Rifles, collapsible boat, tackle, lead, ink powder, 30 steels, mosquito netting, and oilskin bags. ?
He also bought many presents for the Indians: 5 pounds white glass beads, 20 pounds red assorted beads, 144 scissors, 288 brass thimbles, many blue beads, silk, paint, vermilion, and 288 knives On July 5, 1803 Lewis set out for Pittsburgh. ? Upon arriving at Pittsburgh they discover the collapsible boat is not even close to being done. ? So they cant leave for the Pacific coast yet. On August 31, 7: 00 A. M. the last nail was driven into the boat. ?
But by that time the river was at record low. ? On September 1 st they left Pittsburgh and went Down the Ohio river. ? In some places the river was only 6 inches deep. ? There were a lot of mosquitoes and fog on the way down the river. ? In late October George Rogers Clark Accepted his invitation to go along on the expedition. ? The voyage picked him up at Clarksville On November 13 the expedition set out for fort Mastic, on the Mississippi river. ?
From November 20, 1803 -March 1804 the expedition stayed the winter in St. Louis. ? There they bought corn, flour, biscuits, salt, pork, lard, and Indian goods from local traders. ? On May 2 nd they started their way up the Missouri. ? At the end of July they had made it 640 miles up the river The expedition Met their first Indians, the Ottoes, on August 2. ? Soon after their confrontation they held a council on Council Bluff. ?
The expedition continued on its way and soon met the Sioux. ? A disagreement came about between the two parties because the Sioux wanted a canoe load of gifts. ? This almost started a fight but the Sioux finally let the expedition continue The Arikaras met the expedition on October 18. ? The expedition was very generous to the Arikaras with gifts. ? Here Fort Mandan was built so the expedition could stay the winter. ? The blacksmiths proved to be very valuable because they made battle axes and sold them to the Indians for corn. ?
During the stay at Fort Mandan the expedition would be there from Dec 21804 -April 7, 1805. ? On April 7 the expedition continued their journey on the Missouri The expedition came to the junction of the Maria's and the Missouri river on June 3. ? The captains were not sure which river was the Missouri. ? The party split up and explored a part of each river. ? On June 16 they met back at the junction. They decided the south fork was the Missouri. ?
They started to build the collapsible boat but they didnt have any pitch, so they made sealant out of beeswax and charcoal. ? When they put it in the water it leaked so badly they decided not to use it. ? Instead they made some canoes out of cottonwood trees. ? They started up the Missouri again on June 1? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? They made it to the three forks of the Missouri on July 27. ? At that time Clark had been leading some men up ahead of the rest of the party. ?
Clark decided to go up the left fork, but not before leaving Lewis a message to go up the right fork. ? Before Lewis got a chance to go up the right fork Clark had come back down the river and met Lewis because he had become ill. ? As soon as Clark became well enough Lewis went up the Jefferson River and Clark went up the Wisdom river. ? They met back at the forks after 2 days. ? Private Shannon had been sent up the Wisdom river to hunt but had not returned. ?
The whole party went up the river to find him. ? On August 9 Shannon was found. ? They saw an Indian on August 11 but he ran away. ? On August 13 they met 2 Indian woman and an Indian man from a tribe of Shoshones. ? They met the chief and became friends. ? Sacagaweans, the interpreter, family was part of the Indian tribe. ?
This is probably the reason the Indians decided to guide the Americans over the Rocky Mountains. Many horses were purchased from the Shoshonas? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? When the expedition got over the Rocky Mountains they met the Nez Pierce on September 10, 1805. ? Their chief, Twisted Hair, sold roots to the expedition. ? The expedition Started descending down the Columbia River October 7. ? On the way down they met the Chinooks and found out they were thieves. ?
When they got to the coast they met the Clatsop Indians and traded with them. ? Here they built Fort Clatsop. ? On march 23 the expedition left Fort Clatsop and started back up the Columbia River. ? On the way home they met the Nez Pierce again at the end of April. ? They crossed the Lolo Trail From June 10, 1806 -July 2, 1806. ?
The captains decided to explore the Maria's from July 3 -July 28. ? During the exploration of the Maria's their was a conflict between the Blackfeet and the party and a few indians died. ? On September 23 the party finally made it back to the president. ? And that concludes my book report on the book Undaunted Courage. ?
Free research essays on topics related to: meriwether lewis, whiskey rebellion, pacific coast, rocky mountains, thomas jefferson
Research essay sample on Meriwether Lewis Whiskey Rebellion
