A. to explore Louisiana territory
The Lewis and Clark expedition was launched the following year of the Louisiana Purchase, in 1804. It was tasked by President Jefferson with the purpose of exploring and map lands west of the Mississippi River (The Louisiana territory) and to establish an American presence in the territory before others powers tried to claim it. The excursion, which was an approximately 8,000-mile journey that lasted two years, served to provide new geographic, ecological and social information about the newly acquired territory.