Journals

Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals each day of their journey and recorded their observations. Their journals included descriptions along with pictures of the animals and plants that they encountered. They also wrote about the land they covered. They recorded the traditions, manners, and languages of about fifty different Native American Tribes. With these journals we also know how Lewis and Clark treated the Indians and how the Indians treated the white men.

Lewis and Clark kept journals and instructed their sergeants to do the same. The sergeants wrote on the days findings and how life on the trail was. One of the sergeants, Charles Floyd, wrote about the Missouri River, calling it “strong water”.

Through the years these journals have been our key to understanding the Native Americans, the history of our land, and how our country was shaped. The journals tell the story of an exciting and historic American adventure.

“Your observations are to be taken with great pains & accuracy, to be entered distinctly, & intelligibly for others as well as yourself. Several copies of these, as well as your notes, should be made at leisure times & put into the care of the most trustworthy of your attendants to guard by multiplying them, against accidental losses to which they will be exposed.” –Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis, June 20, 1803