PREFACE. 
4* 
VII 
interesting a description of them, and attach addi- 
tional value to the history of the country. It will not 
be forgotten that an immense sum of treasure has 
been expended in the purchase of this country, and 
that it is now considered as belonging to the United 
States. Here at no distant period settlements may 
be formed; and in a much shorter term than has 
elapsed since the first were made in America, from 
which hath arisen a great, powerful and independent 
nation, the posterity of the present inhabitants of the- 
Union may unfurl the standard of independence oa 
the plains of the Mi^ssouri and Columbia. 
With respect to the accuracy of the relations givei> 
in tlie following pages, it may be necessaiy to inform 
those rea^lers not acquainted wirth the fact, that the 
principal object in sending out the expedition was ta 
gain some correct account of the country : and that 
this might be done more effectually, and the infor* 
mation collected, preserved with more certainty, it 
was enjokied upon the several pei^sons belonging to 
the corps^ who were considered capable, to keep 
journals,- and every necessary information and as- 
sistance given them for that purpose : the^e journals 
Vvere also from time to time compared, corrected and 
any blanks, which had been left, filled up, and una- 
voidable) omissions siT^plied. By thuis multiplying 
the journals, revising and correctiiig them, the 
chances of securing to the country a true accoun^ 
of the progress of the expedition and of the disco-^ 
veries which should be made, especially should the 
party be attacked and defeated by the savages or meet 
with any otlier disasters in their hazardous enter- 
prize, were also multiplied. 
The following is an extract of a certificate deliver-. 
ed by Captain Lewis to Mr. Gass, dated St. Louis 
l^Oth Oct. 1806. 
As a tribute justly due to the merits of the sai<l: 
Patrick Gass, I with chearfubiess declare; thattkc; 
1 
