March 1, 1803
Lewis's French passport
Georgetown, DC Louis-André Pichon issues Meriwether Lewis a French passport, and Isaac Briggs informs Thomas Jefferson of the requirement to keep accurate time to determine longitude.
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February 25, 1803
The "two million" bill
Washington, DC Thomas Jefferson tells James Monroe that his recently authorized expedition will explore the Mississippi River.
February 22, 1803
Expedition funded
In Washington City, the Senate approves Jefferson’s request to fund the expedition. Also, the American Board of Agriculture organizes with Lewis as a member representing the District of Columbia.
February 19, 1803
Stoddard's orders
Washington, DC Captain Stoddard receives orders to pick up tools at Fort Fayette and proceed to Kaskaskia, and Thomas Jefferson criticizes Senator Ross’ attempt to raise a force to take New Orleans by force.
February 18, 1803
Livingston's strategy
Paris, France French envoy Robert Livingston explains his strategy to convince France to cede territory in West Florida and Louisiana. Jefferson advances Lewis $15.
February 16, 1803
The "Mississippi Question"
Washington, DC Senator James Ross of Pennsylvania continues his speech regarding the “Mississippi Question.” He recommends ending the Spanish closure of New Orleans to American navigators via military action.
February 15, 1803
Pressing Indian affairs
Washington, DC Thomas Jefferson urges the War Department to negotiate for Native Nations’ land in the Illinois and Mississippi Territories before France assumes control of New Orleans and Louisiana.
February 14, 1803
The faithless Federalists
Senator James Ross raises his Mississippi Question regarding the closure of New Orleans. Ultimately, an answer will be needed before the Western expedition can begin.
February 11, 1803
Jefferson's letter of credence
Washington, DC President Jefferson writes a letter of credence to Napoleon Bonaparte granting the powers of a full ambassador—without the title—to James Monroe and Robert Livingston.
February 8, 1803
Stopping unauthorized forces
President Jefferson recommends that any unauthorized groups intent on opening the port of New Orleans by force be arrested. The peaceful solution would be the Louisiana Purchase.
February 5, 1803
Kentucky militants
James Madison summarizes Spain’s request that he do something about the militants from Kentucky who are organizing to open the port of New Orleans by force. The Louisiana Purchase would ultimately result.
February 3, 1803
Livingston's update
President Jefferson writes the U.S. envoy in Paris telling him that ministers will be sent to negotiate a peaceful solution to the New Orleans closure—an effort resulting in the Louisiana Purchase.
February 2, 1803
Harrison's nomination
Washington, DC President Thomas Jefferson nominates William Henry Harrison to another term as governor of the Illinois Territory.
January 31, 1803
Spanish unease
In Washington City, the Spanish minister to the United States writes an update on the progress of President Jefferson’s proposal to send an expedition to the Pacific ocean—an act Spain opposes.
January 24, 1803
Jefferson's coast guard solution
Washington, DC In a memo to Albert Gallatin, Thomas Jefferson proposes mooring a ship opposite New Orleans to act as a temporary customs house until a permanent solution to port’s closure can be arranged.
January 19, 1803
Laying the foundation
From Fort Fayette, Capt. Stoddard writes a letter to Col. Burbeck asking for further orders. Those orders would be to establish a fort on the Mississippi to support Jefferson’s western expeditions.
January 18, 1803
Western Expedition proposed
In Washington City, Meriwether Lewis delivers President Thomas Jefferson’s confidential message to the U.S. Congress proposing that they fund an expedition to the Western ocean.
January 12, 1803
Envoys Livingston and Monroe
Washington, DC President Jefferson writes the commission appointing Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate a cession of land in the lower Mississippi and eastward toward Florida.
January 11, 1803
Louisiana negotiations proposed
Washington, DC Jefferson’s proposal to negotiate a solution to Spain’s cession of Louisiana to France and the closure of New Orleans commercial traffic is read to the U.S. Senate in an executive session.
January 10, 1803
Monroe's extraordinary mission
Washington, DC President Jefferson writes a letter to James Monroe asking him to become Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a solution to the Spanish closure of the port of New Orleans and their cession of Louisiana to France.
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Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).