Early morning on August 31st 1803 the keelboat was finally completed and by midmorning Lewis was shoving off down the Ohio River. It was only one month earlier Lewis had received Clark's letter of acceptance to his invitation. Though greatly relieved, Lewis, because of the boat builder's delay, was facing the worst season for river traffic seen in years. The low water of the Ohio presented many challenges crossing the shoals and riffles Lewis and his crew encountered.
Meanwhile, Clark, as directed by Lewis, was to recruit the best talent his area of the country could offer. They would be reviewed upon his arrival. This selection of men was to supplement the talent that could not be found within the ranks of the garrison's at the edge of the frontier. Both Lewis & Clark knew what they needed, and if they could find the men that could answer the call, they would be wise to engage them to join the adventure.
In his letter to Clark on June 19th, 1803, Lewis, not knowing the status of negotiations for the territorial purchase of Louisiana, advised Clark to advertise an alternate mission. This was to avoid alerting competing rivals (prematurely to the acquisition) to the real objective that could jeopardize success of the enterprise. Jefferson was interested in establishing a commercial trade route to the Pacific and a network of partners along the way. No one could fathom the challenges the two Captains and their men would encounter in this journey.
On October 15th after navigating the falls of the Ohio, Meriwether Lewis stepped onto the banks of the Ohio to shake hands with his old friend and new partner, William Clark. On that day began a journey that would change the fortunes of a young nation.