l Society
of Philadelphia that a subscription should be opened for the purpose of
raising money "to engage some competent person to explore that region in
the opposite direction (from the Pacific coast),--that is, by ascending
the Missouri, crossing the Stony (Rocky) Mountains, and descending the
nearest river to the Pacific." This was the hint from which originated
the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark.

But the story-teller should not forget to mention that hardy and
adventurous explorer, Jonathan Carver. This man, the son of a British
officer, set out from Boston, in 1766, to explore the wilderness north
of Albany and lying along the southern shore of the Great Lakes. He was
absent two years and seven months, and in that time he collected a vast
amount of useful and strange information, besides learning the language
of the Indians among whom he lived. He conceived the bold plan of
travelling up a branch of the Missouri (or "Messorie"), till, having
discovered the source of the traditional "Oregon, or River of the West,"
on the western side of the lands that divide the continent, "he would
have sailed down that river to the place where it is said to empty
itself, near the Straits of Anian."

By the Straits of Anian, we are to suppose, were meant some part of
Behring's Straits, separating Asia from the American continent. Carver's
fertile imagination, stimulated by what he knew of the remote Northwest,
pictured that wild region where, according to a modern poet, "rolls the
Oregon and hears no sound save his own dashing." But Carver died without
the sight; in his later years, he said of those who should follow his
lead: "While their spirits are elated by their success, perhaps they may
bestow some commendations and blessings on the person who first pointed
out to them the way."

Chapter II -- Beginning a Long Journey

In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an
exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate
a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose. At that
time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but
matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly
started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was
formally ceded to the United States.

Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to
lead the expedition. Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at tha