Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 printed from the original manuscripts in the library of the American Philosophical Society and by direction of its committee on historical documents |
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Delayed by public duties |
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 | Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 |  |
Delayed by public duties
Unfortunately for this enterprise, both explorers soon after
their return had received, together with commissions as generals,
important government appointments: Lewis
being made governor of Louisiana Territory, and
Clark its
superintendent of Indian affairs and brigadier-general
of militia.[32]
The onerous
duties appertaining to
these offices, in the new and vast territory
through which they
had journeyed, were necessarily absorbing; and neither
being
a literary man, the task of publication under such circumstances
was easily deferred.
Upon the execution,
Lewis held a captaincy in the First Infantry; Clark had
been commissioned
as second lieutenant of artillery. On their return they both
resigned from
the army—Clark on February 27th, 1807, and Lewis on March 2d
following. March 3d, Jefferson signed Lewis's commission, and nine days
later
Clark's.
| Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | |