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Radio Show The Lewis and Clark Expedition President Jefferson has convinced congress to fund an expedition into the west. Jefferson has chosen Meriwether Lewis, a former captain in the army to lead the expedition. Lewis chose Lieutenant William Clark to be the co-leader on the expedition. President Jefferson has told them to study the soil and its growth, vegetable productions, animals, mineral productions, and the climate. Lewis and Clark are to set out on their journey in St. Louis, Missouri. Crossing the Plains Lewis and Clark came across a few Indian tribes such as the Mandans and the Sioux on the expedition. Lewis would hand out a few gifts from the limited supplies of the expedition. They asked for help from the tribes but the most help came from Sacagawea, who was originally a Shoshoni from the Rocky Mountains but currently lived in a Mandan camp. The two men both kept journals explaining the wonders they saw and also including the dangers they can across. To Pacific and Back After they crossed the plains the men came to the Rocky Mountains. The mountains filled Lewis with concern. He noticed the difficulties that the snow would cause for them. Lewis and Clark found out that the leader of a nearby tribe was Sacagawea’s brother. The tribe provided them with horses and a guide to lead them across the mountains. The men continued through the mountains and began to follow the Columbia River to where it emptied in the Pacific Ocean. They stayed in the Northwest for the winter exploring the coast. Pikes Exploration While Lewis and Clark were on their expedition Zebulon Pike was sent out to find the starting point of the Red River. The Red River runs through Louisiana. Pike led his expedition into the Rocky Mountains where he attempted to climb the mountain known as Pikes Peak. Then he headed south into New Mexico. He followed the river until he was arrested by a Spanish cavalry. The Spanish suspected he was a spy and arrested him. When he was released he returned and reported his trip.