Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
After purchasing the Louisiana Territory in 1803, Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on an expedition to explore the new lands. They were told to collect samples and make observations throughout the way. In May 1804, Lewis and Clark, along with fifty others began their journey. The jounrey probably could have not been successful if it were not for the help of a Frenchman, Toussaint Charbonneau and his Native American wife. Sacajawea who was only fifteen and pregnant at the time, led the way, for she knew the lands and the languages of the people. This became known was the Lewis and Clark Expedition.