Lewis and Clark kept years worth of journal entries about their expedition and the different things had discovered. Lewis had been Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary and was so used to constantly writing so when he and his friend Clark decided to go upon this expedition, unknowing of how iconic it would be, they both knew it was so important to keep accurate records and account of their expedition. Most of the journal entries were full of Native American tribes they discovered as well as scientific notes about plants and animals they had never seen before. Lewis & Clark’s journal entries had also spoken upon the beautiful mountains, rivers, and lakes they had seen. This journal dating from 1803-1806 had also been written about stories and tales about the newfound wild west. Some of the entries written by Lewis were about Clark’s activities while they were separated. This was one of the few ways Lewis and Clark had communicated with each other as well as the people back home in the colonies. By organizing their findings it allowed for a clear communication of the unknown wilderness and a way for the U.S. to understand what was in the unexplored land, which was part of the Louisiana Purchase. By keeping journal entries it enables the U.S. to understand the abundance of materials, resources, unknown species, and new cultures. All providing an understanding of what was hidden in the land.