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Article: Pike, Zebulon, Expeditions of
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- Dictionary of American History
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PIKE, ZEBULON, EXPEDITIONS OF
PIKE, ZEBULON, EXPEDITIONS OF.
The acquisition of Louisiana in 1803 and President Thomas Jefferson's interest in asserting control over the region led to a series of expeditions funded by the U.S. government to establish the borders of the nation, negotiate proper relations with Native American tribes and settlers, and acquire pertinent scientific information. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike led two expeditions, one in 1805 and 1806 to search for the headwaters of the Mississippi River and another in 1806 and 1807 to determine the source of the Arkansas and Red Rivers in the southern reaches of the Louisiana Purchase.
On 9 August 1805, Pike left St. Louis with ...