Travel along with Lewis and Clark as they bravely lead the expedition into unexplored territory.Even before the first glorious ring of the Liberty Bell, America was a land of freedom and promise. The Cornerstones of Freedom series explores what inspires people from all over the world to start life anew here, endure the economic and social upheavals, and defend the land and rights that are unique to the United States of America. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent a secret message to Congress. He wanted them to agree to fund an exploratory mission to the uncharted lands west of the Mississippi River. Thanks to Lewis and Clark's detailed journals, Americans today know how the team survived and what they discovered. Lewis and Clark's journey was the beginning of America's growth westward-from the Atlantic all the way to the Pacific Ocean.