Thomas Jefferson's Letter To Meriwether Lewis

In Thomas Jefferson’s Instructions to Meriwether Lewis, 1803, it is very clear that the author is Thomas Jefferson. He signs the ending of the article with, “…this twentieth day of June, 1803. Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America” (Jefferson 3). It is apparent that Jefferson is writing to Meriwether Lewis to instruct him before he sets out on his journey. This gives the reader the date the letter is being composed and make it an official document.
Thomas Jefferson’s main purpose of writing this article is to instruct Lewis on what he should be taking note of while on his journey and to give further dictation. Jefferson writes, “The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river, and such principal streams
Jefferson is very clear on what is to be expected by Lewis and even puts multiple factors into his letter. This shows that Jefferson has taken the time to compose the letter and it becomes apparent how excited or intrigued he is. Jefferson also instructs Lewis to take note of the people who are conducting such commerce. It is interesting that he does not refer to them as “people” or “citizens”. This may be because Native Americans were not considered citizens or residents. He is interested in “Their relations with other tribes or nations; Their language, traditions, monuments; Their ordinary occupations in agriculture, fishing, hunting, war, arts, and their implements for these; Their food, clothing, and domestic accommodations” (1). Jefferson also goes to the extent to even take note of their laws and customs. Jefferson also instructs Lewis to take note of the land and the wildlife that inhabits it. Jefferson says take note of “[t]he soil and face of the country generally, and especially those not know in the United States; The