President Jefferson assigned the task of exploring the new land to Meriwether Lewis because Lewis was a trusted and competent military officer who had served under Jefferson in the army and had proven himself to be intelligent, resourceful, and capable. Jefferson also believed that Lewis possessed the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully lead an expedition into unknown territory and make scientific discoveries along the way. Additionally, Lewis had a keen interest in natural history and geography, which made him well-suited for the task of exploring and documenting the new land.
