Cost of the Expedition
The Corps of Discovery covered 7,689 miles in two years, four months,
and ten days.
Lewis received $2,500 from Congress to obtain supplies, materials,
and services needed for the expedition. His list of items and their
associated cost were:
| Item |
Cost |
| Mathematical Instruments |
$217.00
|
| Arms and Accouterments Extraordinary (Clothing) |
81.00
|
| Camp Equipment |
255.00
|
| Medicine and Packing |
55.00
|
| Means of Transportation |
430.00
|
| Indian Gifts |
696.00
|
| Provisions Extraordinary |
224.00
|
| Materials for making up the various articles into Portable Packs |
55.00
|
| Pay for the Hunters, Guides, and Interpreters |
300.00
|
| Silver Coin to defray the expenses of the party from Nashville
to the last white settlement on the Missouri |
100.00
|
| Contingencies |
87.00
|
| TOTAL |
$2,500.00
|
In addition, Jefferson gave Lewis a letter of credit to obtain goods
and services for the expedition. Lewis spent about $39,000 (a large
sum in the early 1800s).
