Abstract
This text, written by Captain Meriwether Lewis at Fort Mandan on April 7th, 1805, may be regarded as one of the main turning points of the expedition. Indeed, the long and harsh winter they endured when they could not move on westward to the Missouri River since it was blocked with ice and when they mostly depended on food provided by the Indians to survive, does not seem to have worn down the Corps of Discovery's optimism. They have taken advantage of this period of motionlessness to reinforce some essential standards, which allow Lewis to think that they have taken no chances to cope with the unknown in the best conditions.
The permanent part of the expedition is eventually formed where everyone occupies a precise place with a precise role to perform for the Corps to carry on safely. We will see how, through Lewis's writing, this expedition comes within the scope of Jefferson's policy and sets up the starting point of a new era by shaping some of the great American myths. In fact, these men are on the verge to explore a pristine part of North America, following Jefferson's instructions to establish the control of the United States over the newly bought Louisiana territory.
