Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-07-09
THE PULLJMRU Herald.
Saturday, July g, 1904
Won the Cushman Prize.

IN the pubic schools writing the
best essay on the Lewis and Clark
expedition was awarded to Ellen
Nickel, 9TH grade pupil of Con-
conully. The essay follows;
When Jefferson became president the
territorial extent of the United States
was from the Atlantic ocean to the Mis-
'sissippi river and from the great lakes to
Florida.
The United States did not sustain cor
dial relations with any of the stronger
nations of the world. Our government
was not old enough or strong enough
to work with perfect adjustment and
was not sure of ever becoming so.
The stronger nations did not feel that
we were to be reckoned with in matters
of international concern. Russia, alone,
seemed friendly and she gave us only
watchful neutrality.
England held Canada, and through the
trading companies of Canada was fast
gaining control of the fur trade in the
northwest. These conditions, coupled
with others, made it highly probable
that England would object to an expe-
,dtion to the northwest should she know
the object.
Spain still held Florida and Mexico.
controlled the commerce of the Gulf of
Mexico and the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi river. The United States had a
righkto use New Orleans as depot and
the Mississippi for commerce, but they
were not allowed to do so.
1t was with France that our govern
ment had to deal directly, Although
Spain had lately given up the Louisiana
territory to France for another province
her subject had not quit their trade with
the Indians. France and England were
about to 60 to war and Napoleon knew
that England could and would take
Louisiana away from France. He need
ed money for the war, and at last decided
to sell the territory to the United States
for $15, 100000. The treaty was made in
Paris in April, 1903, but formal notifca-
ton was not received in Washington, D..
c., until July.
President Jefferson had long pondered
the thought of an expedition to the
northwest. He suggested it to Ledyard
the celebrated traveller. In January,
1903, President Jefferson sent message
to Congress recommending an expedi-
ton to the northwest, tracing the best
water route that presented itself to the
Pacific ocean. Congress approved, and
Jefferson chose Merriwether Lewis, his
private secretary, to command the ex-
petition.
Lewis was born near Charlottesville,
Va, August 9TH, IVA, of a most distin-
guished family. One of his uncles was
member OF the kings council, another
one married sister of General Wash
ington, and his father was the youngest
son of Colonel Robert Lewis. When
Lewis was quite young his father died,
leaving him under the fostering care of
a mother until, at the age of IA, when he
entered the Latin school and stayed five
years.
He chose a military career and, at the
age OF 20, volunteered with the troops
sent out to suppress the whiskey rebel
ion. At the age OF % he was made cap
tain and, a while later, made paymaster
OF his regiment. A few years later he
was made private secretary OF President
Jefferson. This office he was holding
when he was appointed to command the
expedition. He then went to Philadel-
phia to study for that purpose. He
chose William Clarke as companion in
the expedition.
Clark was born in Caroline county,
Va, not far from the birthplace OF
Lewis.
Little is known OF his early life When
he was IA years of age his father moved
to Kentucky, where his elder brother
had preceded them and built the first
fortiication against the Indians at the
Falls of the Ohio. William grew up at
this place, receiving little education,
most OF which WAS obtained outside OF
the sehoolroom. Like Lewis, he chose
a military career and, at the age OF Is,
was made ensign in the regular army.
Two years later he was made captain OF
militia at GAINESVILLE, Kentucky. In
1896 he resigned his commission in the
army on account of i'll health. A few
months before he resigned he became
acquainted with MerriWether LAWS who