Globalization of the United States, 1789-1861

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Gass, Patrick. A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery, Under the command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the army of the United States, From the Mouth of the River Missouri Through the Interior Parts of North America to the Pacific Ocean, During the Years 1804, 1805 and 1806. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, 1812.

Patrick Gass. A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery, Under the Command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States, From the Mouth of the River Missouri Through the Interior Parts of North America to the Pacific Ocean, During the Years 1804, 1805 and 1806. Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, 1812. Title page.

Publishing the first account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Gass anticipated a near future in which the North American west would be settled faster than the east had been.

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Of the various publications which unite amusement and information, few can be justly held in higher estimation than the Journals and Narratives of Travellers and Voyagers; and in our own highly favored country, the diffusion of general knowledge, the enterprizing spirit of the people, their commercial pursuits and habits of emigration, render such works particularly valuable and interesting; while the vigorous and unrestrained mind of the free American, by amplifying and embellishing the scenes presented to his view, enjoys the choicest luxuries of the entertainment they are calculated to afford. If it is conceded that discoveries made in North America are more important to the people of the United States than those made elsewhere, it will not be difficult to show that none could have been made of so much importance to them in any part of the world as in the large tracts of country through which the late expedition, under the command of captain Lewis and captain Clarke, passed. For if we take a view of the different discoveries and settlements previously made, we will find that those tracts through which the Missouri and Columbia rivers, and their branches flow, commonly called unknown regions, were the only parts remaining unexplored, which could be considered valuable.

The first discovery of the Western World by Europeans, of which we have any authentic accounts, being near the southern extremity of North America, drew, as might be expected, their attention to that quarter; and the rage which this grand discovery excited for other enterprizes of the same nature; the avidity with which avarice was stimulated to seize the precious metals, known to exist in those parts; the means held out for gratifying ambition, and the prospects of a lucrative commerce, with many other objects and considerations tended largely to extend them; while the diminution of a the Northern Continent to a narrow isthmus, and its large gulphs, bays and rivers, furnished and facilitated the means of exploring it. The spirit of enterprize, however, was not confined to the southern extremity; but extending itself to the climates congenial with those which it had left, and connecting with its researches the planting of colonies, important discoveries were made along the Atlantic coast. In the mean time the project of discovering a north-west passage to the East Indies led the boldest naval commanders of Europe through the inland seas, bays and straights of the north; and at length produced surveys of the shores of the Pacific. To these discoveries and those occasionally made during the settlement of the country within the limits of the United States, and in Canada, the Hudson’s Bay Company, though not famed for enterprize, added something to the stock of general information, and by their establishments aided others in their enterprizes. Mr. Hearne under the direction of this company, in an expedition, which lasted from the 7th of December 1770, to the 30th June 1772, proceeded from Prince of Wales’s Fort, on the Churchill river, in latitude 58d. 47 l-2m. north, and longitude 94d. 7 1-2m. west of Greenwich, or 19d. west of Philadelphia, to the mouth of the Coppermine river, which, according to some accounts, is in latitude 72d. north, and longitude 119d. west from Greenwich, or 44d. west of Philadelphia; but is laid down by others to be in latitude about 69d. north, and longitude 112d. west from Greenwich, or 37d. west from Philadelphia. Whatever the confined views and contracted policy of the Hudson’s Bay Company may, however, have omitted in the way of discovery, the enterprize and perseverance of the Canadian traders, sometime since united under the name of the North West Company, have amply supplied. Prior to the year 1789 they had extended their discoveries and establishments along the numerous lakes and rivers situated north of that high tract of country which divides the Mississippi and Missouri waters from those which run towards the north and east, to within a short distance of the Rocky Mountains. In the summer of this year, Mr. M’Kenzie made a voyage from Fort Chepewyan, on the lake of the Hills, in latitude 58d. 40m. north, and longitude 110d. 30m. west from Greenwich, or 35d. 22m. west from Philadelphia, by the way of the Slave river, Slave lake, and a river by which this lake discharges its waters (since called M’Kenzie’s river) to the mouth of than river, where it falls into the North sea, in latitude 69d. 14m. north, and longitude 135d. west from Greenwich, or 59d. 62m. west from Philadelphia. He again in the year 1793 penetrated from an establishment on the Peace river in latitude 56d. 9m. north, and longitude l17d. 35m. west from Greenwich, or 41d. 27rn. west from Philadelphia, to the Pacific ocean in latitude 52d. 54m. north and longitude 128d. 2m. west from Greenwich, or 52d. 54m. west from Philadelphia.

By the discoveries alluded to, and those occasionally made during the rapid settlement of the country, and the progress of enterprize, the principal divisions of this northern continent have been explored and become known. The line separating these from the part which remained unexplored and unknown, may be considered as commencing at the Pacific ocean in latitude about 38d. north, and running along the high lands and mountains between the waters which fall into the gulfs of California and Mexico, and those which fall into the Missouri river, and continuing in that direction to the Mississippi; thence up that river to the source of its highest north-western branch: thence along the high tract of country which divides the waters of the Missouri from those which fall into Hudson’s Bay and the North sea: from whence it will continue across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific ocean in latitude about 52d. north. To the south of this general division line, the known countries will be Old and New Mexico, and a part of Louisiana; to the south-east, West and East Florida; to the east, the United States; to the north-east, Canada, the Labrador country, part of New South Wales and of other countries round Hudson’s Bay; and to the north, part of New South Wales, New North Wales, the Athabasca and other countries containing the establishments of the Hudson’s Bay and North West Companies, and those explored by Hearne and M’Kenzie: leaving unknown and unexplored (except so far as the surveys made by navigators of the coast of the Pacific, and the imperfect accounts of traders who have ascended the Missouri have furnished information) all that large intermediate tract, containing in breadth about 1000 miles; and in length in a direct line, about 1800 miles, and by the way of the Missouri and Columbia rivers nearly twice that distance. This tract from its situation may be supposed to contain the chief part of those lands in the great western part of the continent of North America fit for tillage; and this circumstance will therefore in a special manner claim the attention of an agricultural people, render more interesting a description of them, and attach additional value to the history of the country. It will not be forgotten that an immense sum of treasure has been expended in the purchase of this country, and that it is now considered as belonging to the United States. Here at no distant period settlements may be formed, and in a much shorter term than has elapsed since the first were made in America, from which hath arisen a great, powerful and independent nation, the posterity of the present inhabitants of the Union may unfurl the standard of independence on the plains of the Missouri and Columbia.