The Journey of Lewis & Clark: de Bourgmont Access - Cooper County, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 56.478 W 092° 52.307
15S E 511111 N 4310270
For the Purpose of Commerce
Waymark Code: WM134R9
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 09/16/2020
Published By:
RB2
Views: 0
County of access: Cooper County
Location of access: MO Hwy 41, just N. of I-70, S. of Blackwater
Erected By: Missouri Department of Conservation
Marker Text:
FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMERCE
8th of June, Friday 1804
. . . passed the Mine River at 9 ms ...The french inform that Lead Ore has been found in defferent parts of this river ...
we met e men on a Cajaux from the River of the Soux above the Mahar (or Omaha) nation those men had been
hunting 12 mo; & made about 900$ in pelts, & furs ... William Clark
Exploring for economic opportunities, Lewis & Clark found farming, trading for furs and mining as the three main sources of income in the Louisiana Purchase region. President Thomas Jefferson's goals for the expedition included searching out all prospects "for the purpose of commerce."
Residence of the new territory famed for subsistence because food supplies and markets were to far away, but great profit could be made in trading for furs. Beaver, mink raccoon and otter were found throughout the land. Small traders would invest merchandise then travel upstream to trade. The furs were pressed into 80- to 100-pound bales and transported back to St. Louis for sale to the European market.
The third source of income, mining for metals or ore, was aso a strong interest. From the French, Lewis and Clark had learned of locations on the Missouri River with large amounts of lead ore or galena. One site was near the Mine or Lamine River. Most likely, the information came from Etienne de Bourgmont's 1714 report as he explored the Missouri River. These and other natural resources would become valuable commerce the the struggling new nation, just as they are to the region today.