Double-Man the Mission

"Clark was a perfect fit for all of it. At their White House meeting, a few years before, Jefferson had observed his reliable demeanor, his grasp of geography and logistics. When Lewis told the president that Clark was joining, Jefferson was thrilled: “By having Mr. Clark with you,” he wrote, “we consider the expedition as double manned.” Like Jefferson’s other cabinet members, Dearborn could see Lewis’s shortcomings more clearly than the president could. When he heard about Clark, Dearborn told Jefferson that “it adds very much to the balance of chances in favor of ultimate success.”"

"After several pages, Lewis paused to laugh at himself: “So much for the great outlines of this scheme.” Then he wrote the hardest sentence, the one asking Clark if he would join him as co-captain: “If therefore there is anything under those circumstances, in this enterprise, which would induce you to participate with me in its fatigues, its dangers, and its honors, believe me there is no man on earth with whom I should feel equal pleasure in sharing them as with yourself.”"

"The success of Lewis and Clark depended on more than Lewis and Clark. The captains knew this. Before they left, Clark told Jefferson he would “cheerfully, and with great pleasure, join my friend Captain Lewis in this vast enterprise.” Clark was right—it was a vast enterprise, a phrase he used more than once, a sprawling and federally funded military operation that required a broad cast of people."