Biographer

"This party consists of 25 picked Men of the armey & country likewise and I am So happy as to be one of them pick'd Men from the army, and I and all the party are if we live to Return, to Recieive our Discharge when ever we return again to the united States if we chuse it... We expect to be gone 18 months or two years. We are to Receive a great Reward for this expidition, when we Return. I am to Receive 15 dollars pr. Month and at least 400 ackers of first Rate land, and if we make Great Discoveries as we expect, the united States, has promised to make us Great Rewards more than we are promised, &c."          John Ordway in a letter to his parents

Responsibilities:

You have been selected to help Lewis and Clark assemble the men that will make up the Corp of Discovery! You have been selected for the important task because of your ability to assess personal qualities and professional abilities of your fellow humans. When assembling your crew you must keep in mind their ability to get along with each other, since they will spend over two years in close company and adverse conditions. You must consider the tasks that President Jefferson wishes to be accomplished, for example: contact with natives, collection of botanical samples, and observations of surroundings when making your selections. There are also the day-to-day physical tasks encountered by explorers like navigating rivers, finding food, cooking, lifting, and carrying. You will be responsible for creating a file on members specifying their qualifications and history. You will also need to track as many members as possible after the mission to determine the effect the Corp had on their lives. Good luck! This brave crew may well change the future of the United States.

Questions:

1. What types of positions might need to be filled to make the mission a success?
2. Who would have the training for these jobs, and how did they get it?
3. What are some of the problems that Lewis and Clark might encounter when they put these men together for a long journey?
4. Compile a data sheet on 8-10 Corp members, recording their histories prior to the expedition, as well as any outstanding incidents involving them that occur on the trail. Remember to follow up on each member after the expedition is over, too.

Websites:

•   You have searched the area around St. Louis, Missouri to find the best men possible. Finally, you have developed what you believe is a solid, competent Corp of Discovery.