.WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THIS PARAGRAPH?The object of your mission is three-fold. The main object is to explore the Missouri River, or a principal stream of it, as, by its course and communication will lead to the waters of the Pacific
Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or another river may offer the most direct and
practicable water communication across this continent, for the purpose of commerce

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Explanation:

President Thomas Jefferson outlined their primary mission: "…to explore the Missouri river, and

such principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific

Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river, may offer the most direct

and practicable water communication across this continent for the purposes of commerce…."

Jefferson envisioned the nation's eventual expansion to the Pacific and wanted to strengthen

the American claim to the northwest "Oregon Country." More territory would solve the problem

of land competition and the West held the key to unlocking the mystery of the Northwest

Passage. This mythic water route to the Pacific would open up the natural resources of the

West and provide access to Asian commerce. With such an opportunity for discovery, Lewis

and Clark embarked on the journey and began fulfilling additional objectives: documenting

geography, flora, fauna, and unique cultures; establishing friendly contacts along the way; and

returning with knowledge of the previously unknown.

During their travels, the corps encountered numerous problems and hardships. The first major

hurdle was mobility. At times struggling against the current of the Missouri River, the men used

sails, poles, and oars, occasionally resorting to tow ropes when all else failed. Later on, it would

be necessary to abandon travel by water and physically carry the boats. This process, called

portaging, proved to be very time consuming and draining, at times limiting travel to only four or

five miles a day. Another major issue was discipline. Holding court-martials and dispensing

lashes as punishments when necessary, the leaders of the corps knew that they had to

establish order early on, to assure themselves of cohesion and unity through the rough times

and cold winter months that lay ahead.

Establishing sound American Indian relationships was the most difficult matter to undertake.

Throughout the expedition, members of the corps encountered at least 55 different native

cultural groups. The first real test came with the corps' confrontation with the Teton Sioux on

September 25, 1804. Attempting to sail through a portion of the Missouri River in present-day

South Dakota controlled by the Teton people, members of the expedition found themselves in a

standoff with swords, arrows, guns, and cannons threatening to settle the matter. Defusing

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