In Washington City, President Thomas Jefferson delivers his annual message to Congress. He addresses many of the ongoing concerns of the young nation including relations with Spain, England, and the current peace along the Barbary Coast. He also reports on the progress of three separate Western expeditions: Lewis and Clark, Freeman-Custis, and Zebulon M. Pike.
Writing Letters
© 2026 by Kristopher K. Townsend. Permission to use granted under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Dec. 2. 06.
To the Senate & House of Representatives of the US. of America, in Congress assembled.
The expedition of Messrs. Lewis & Clarke for exploring the river Missouri, and the best communication from that to the Pacific ocean, has had all the success which could have been expected. they have traced the Missouri nearly to it’s source, descended the Columbia to the Pacific ocean, ascertained with accuracy the geography of that interesting communication across our continent, learnt the character of the country, of it’s commerce & inhabitants; & it is but justice to say that Messrs. Lewis & Clarke, & their brave companions, have, by this arduous service, deserved well of their country.
Freeman and Custis Expedition
The attempt to explore the Red river, under the direction of mr Freeman, though conducted with a zeal & prudence meriting entire approbation, has not been equally succesful. after proceeding up it about 600. miles, nearly as far as the French establishments had extended while the country was in their possession, our geographers were obliged to return without compleating their work.
Zebulon Pike Expedition
Very useful additions have also been made to our knolege of the Missisipi by Lieutt. Pike, who has ascended it to it’s source, & whose journal & map giving the details of his journey, will shortly be ready for communication to both houses of Congress. those of Messrs. Lewis, Clarke and Freeman will require further time to be digested & prepared. these important surveys, in addition to those before possessed, furnish materials for commencing an accurate map of the Missisipi & it’s Western waters. some principal rivers however remain still to be explored, towards which the authorisation of Congress, by moderate appropriations, will be requisite
Th: Jefferson[1]Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-4615.
Notes
| ↑1 | Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-4615. |
|---|
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with additional funding from the following:
