Reports By Members of the Expedition

President Jefferson had directed that notes be taken on geographical features of the trip, Indian tribes, plants and animals, and many other topics. Lewis kept a journal and Clark a diary. Several enlisted men also wrote down their observations. These records were regarded as private property, however, and were never filed with the secretary of war. Congress made no effort to get the reports published, and the two leaders were too busy with other affairs.

Many versions of the journals were printed at private expense over the years, but not until 1904–05 was the complete collection published (seven volumes and an atlas, edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites). An abridged version, Journals of Lewis and Clark (1953), was edited by Bernard De Voto.