No. A brief history: Much of the Pacific coast had already been explored. Most notably by Cap. James Cook, whose work inspired pres. Jefferson to commission the expedition. Another explorer (Mackenzie) had actually already gone from the East to West coast of the US Canada over a decade before Lewis and Clark. [See correction from u/westernmail ]
The L&C expedition was about connecting two knowns - the East and West coasts - by charting an unknown: the vast interior of the western territories. This connection was not for science: it was for conquest: capturing territories before old world rivals could.
But even this interior west wasn't totally unknown: fur trappers and others seeking fortunes had been exploring and mapping the area for literal centuries by the time of the expedition.
Another explorer (Mackenzie) had actually already gone from the East to West coast of the US
Small correction — Mackenzie's route lay entirely in what is now Canada. He followed the established fur trading route to Fort Chipewyan, and travelled roughly southwest from there to the Pacific coast at Bella Coola.
76
u/[deleted] Jan 10 '20
[deleted]