WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97301 E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
PHONE (503)581-2638 FAX(503)581-9957

Updated January 16, 2003

Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark

Sent upon their expedition by President Thomas Jefferson and with approval (and $2,500) from the Congress, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on their legendary 3-year journey, in the company of  33 permanent party members who Captain Lewis called "corps of volunteers for North Western Discovery." President Jefferson said:

"The Object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river & such principal stream of it as by it's course and communication with the waters of the Pacific ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river may offer the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent for the purpose of commerce."

Although the economic thrust of this mission was to find something that actually did not exist (the Northwest Passage), the explorers brought to the "civilized" world an unfathomable wealth in knowledge of botanical information captured in detailed journals, drawings and as many specimens as they could collect and carry. It is for this reason more than any other we at Wallace W Hansen Native Plants of the Northwest are deeply grateful to this adventurous body of men.

They began their journey in a very practical manner. Captain Lewis gathered arms at the Harpers Ferry government arsenal and then guided the construction of an especially designed keelboat which he floated down the Ohio River. Captain Clark met him at Clarksville, Indiana, and Clark and the crew took the boat up the Mississippi. Meanwhile while Captain Lewis rode ahead on horseback to St. Louis to procure more supplies and gather information. Finally the two captains brought their men together and the great adventure began.

"I dispatched an express this morning to Captain Lewis at St. Louis. All our provisions, goods, and equipage on board of a boat of 22 oars [party], a large pirogue of 71 oars [in which 8 French], a second pirogue of 6 oars [soldiers], complete with sails, &c. Men completed with powder cartridges and 100 balls each, all in health and readiness to set out. Boats and everything complete, with the necessary stores of provisions and such articles of merchandise as we thought ourselves authorized to procure-though not as much as I think necessary for the multitude of Indians through which we must pass on our road across the continent." (Bracketed text added by Captain Lewis before publication.)

So wrote Captain Clark at the River Dubois opposite the mouth of the Missouri River on 13 May 1804.

And from the Orderly Book, this notation written at St. Charles, Missouri (just across the Missouri River from St. Louis) on 16 May 1804. (The orderly book was a record kept in each command of all written orders.)

"Note: The commanding officer is fully assured that every man of his detachment will have a true respect for his own dignity and not make it necessary for him to leave St. Charles for a more retired situation."

Botanical Discoveries: Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

This week we feature a Northwest Native Shrub first noted by Captain Lewis at Oregon's Fort Clatsop on January 27, 1806. Favored by native peoples Quinault, Straits Salish and others, the dusky berries of the native huck were hunted far and wide when they begin to ripen in the late summer, early autumn. Though said to reach their best flavor after the first frost, the piquant juiciness is nonetheless a longtime staple for many a knowledgeable woodsman.

The shrub offers year-round beauty with it's dark shiny green leaves, paler underneath, it's pink flowers and those beautiful and delicious shiny fruits. The Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is a lovely and appropriate shrub for inclusion in your Lewis and Clark garden. The pleasing bushy shape is a sturdy specimen or natural companion at the edge of coniferous trees. 

Bicentennial Kick-Off 
Monticello & Charlottesville, VA

January 13-19, 2003

The national commemoration of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial will be launched and President Thomas Jefferson's stewardship of the historic trek across North America will be recognized Saturday, January 18 on the grounds of Jefferson's mountaintop home. This bicentennial commencement event will feature formal ceremonies, music, and speakers with dignitaries representing the federal government, states associated with the expedition, federal and state agencies, and Native American tribes, nations, and confederations in attendance. The date of the inaugural event, which will be free and open to the public, marks the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's confidential message to Congress requesting funds for an expedition to the Pacific.

For information about Monticello's bicentennial programs contact:

Kat Imhoff

Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

PO Box 316 Charlottesville, VA 22902

434.984.9802

kimhoff@monticello.org

www.monticello.org/jefferson/lewisandclark/exposition.html

For information about the Lewis and Clark Exposition contact:

Nancy King

Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

PO Box 316

Charlottesville, VA 22902

434.984.9829

nking@monticello.org

www.monticello.org/jefferson/lewisandclark/exposition.html

Oregon Children's Theatre Presents Sacagawea
Portland, OR

January 19, 2003

Oregon Children's Threatre officially kicks off Portland's Lewis & Clark Bicentennial with the extraordinary account of how Sacagawea overcame a cultural divide to become an essential member of Lewis and Clark's expedition team as they made their way to the Pacific Northwest. A world première written by nationally acclaimed playwright Eric Coble, featuring music by Marv Ross and performed live by The Trail Band. This play was performed in May 2002 at The Kennedy Center as part of New visions/New Voices 2002.

For More Information:
503 228-9571
www.octc.org

Good luck and happy gardening!

Wally

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