Use the passage to answer the question.
From President Jefferson’s Instructions for Meriwether Lewis
June 20, 1803
"In all your [dealings] with the natives treat them in the most friendly & conciliatory manner which their own conduct will admit; allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey, satisfy them of it’s innocence, make them acquainted with the position, extent, character, peaceable & commercial dispositions of the US. of our wish to be neighborly, friendly & useful to them, & of our dispositions to a commercial intercourse with them; confer with them on the points most convenient as mutual emporiums, & the articles of most desireable interchange for them & us. if a few of their influential chiefs, within practicable distance, wish to visit us, arrange such a visit with them, & furnish them with authority to call on our officers, on their entering the US. to have them conveyed to this place at the public expence. if any of them should wish to have some of their young people brought up with us, & taught such arts as may be useful to them, we will recieve, instruct & take care of them. such a mission, whether of influential chiefs, or of young people, would give some security to your own party."
What was Jefferson’s main goal regarding Native Americans in the Louisiana Territory?
a. establish mutually beneficial relationships with Native Americans**
b. inform Native Americans that they are now U.S. citizens
c. inquire about the natural resources that can be available to the U.S.
d. ensure that the Corps of Discovery remains safe on their journey
Your answer (A) is correct
a. establish mutually beneficial relationships with Native Americans
a. establish mutually beneficial relationships with Native Americans
To answer the question, we can look at the passage and identify President Jefferson's main goal regarding Native Americans in the Louisiana Territory.
According to the passage, President Jefferson instructs Meriwether Lewis to treat the Native Americans in a friendly and conciliatory manner, to allay any jealousies about the purpose of their journey, and to inform them about the position, extent, and peaceful nature of the United States. They are also encouraged to discuss with the Native Americans convenient points for mutual trading and desirable articles for exchange. Additionally, Jefferson mentions the possibility of influential chiefs visiting the United States and having their young people brought up and educated there.
From these instructions, it is clear that Jefferson's main goal regarding Native Americans in the Louisiana Territory is to establish mutually beneficial relationships. Therefore, the correct answer is option a. "establish mutually beneficial relationships with Native Americans."