The Process of Peace

"The Commerce which may be carried on with the people inhabited the line you will pursue renders a knowledge of these people important. You will therefore endeavor to make yourself acquainted, as far as a diligent pursuit of your journey shall admit."

~Thomas Jefferson

The most challenging barrier was establishing peace with the Native population. Foreseeing this, Lewis bought $2000 (now about $42,000) worth of manufactured goods to offer. The gifts and conversations about America's peaceful intentions broke through the barriers between the two nations. Many tribes were impressed and sent chiefs to Washington, D.C., for diplomacy. These tribes also volunteered guides and interpreters for the Corps of Discovery. Helpful clans included the Mandan, Yankton Sioux, and the Oto Indians. Without this Native aid, failure on Lewis and Clark's journey would have been inevitable.

"Indian Peace Medals to Cross the Auction Block." By: Numismatic News Staff

"The Corps of Discovery Meets with a Local Tribe." From: Karlee Doerr & Ella Connolly

"Lewis and Clark Scouting Ahead with Sacagawea." From: Wikimedia Commons

Sacagawea, a sixteen-year-old member of the Shoshone tribe, met the Corps at Fort Mandan and traveled with them for the rest of the journey. She proved her importance at the Rocky Mountains, where she obtained the horses necessary for crossing the mountains.

“One Blackfoot, armed with an old British musket, turned toward Lewis. Apparently fearing that the Blackfoot was about to shoot, Lewis fired first and hit him in the stomach. Lewis then learned that one of his men had also fatally stabbed another of the Blackfoot.”~ History.com

Most of the tribes were peaceful and hospitable, although others responded with hostility. The prominent clans that fought were the Blackfeet and Teton Sioux, who together controlled the Missouri River. Despite violent skirmishes with those tribes, the Corps arrived in St. Louis safely, heralded as heroes.