Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/16

10 All the representations Jefferson makes in the Louisiana case do not fully disclose his thought and purpose concerning the westward course of American institutions. In this same year, 1802, he submits to Gallatin a draft of what he proposes as his annual message. In this was included a recommendation of an expedition across the continent to the Pacific. Gallatin expresses himself "as warmly interested in the plan, "but as it contemplates an expedition out of our own territory," he suggests that it would be a proper object for a confidential message.

Jefferson followed Gallatin's advice, and some two months later, on January 18, 1803, sent the confidential message to Congress of which the outcome was the Lewis and Clark expedition. Jefferson, as well as the country at large, was exceedingly wrought up at this time about the possession of the mouth of the Mississippi, but not so much so but that he kept in mind his long cherished project of a transcontinental exploration. It no doubt occurred to him as opportune against France to "sneak in" this exploration before she could take possession of the country, and quite as timely, too, against England. For if we were to have her as our ally in the coming war and win the continent, priority in exploration would make a fine basis for claiming all in that latitude to the Pacific, when a division of the spoils of war should take place.

Whatever may have been the occasional relations between the Lewis and Clark expedition and the struggle for the Louisiana territory, the fact stands that Jefferson