a quintessential American moment

November 1805, after one and half years' excruciating journey through the vast uncharted West, the Lewis & Clark expedition were in the mouth of Columbia River and faced with a decision: where to spend the winter. They could stay north of the river, where the Indians charged high prices for everything; they could stay south of the river, where the other Indians were supposed to have a great wealth of food and clothing; they could also sail back up the river to where they could count on drier weather.

On November 24, the captains, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark collected everybody and told them they were going to make the decision by a vote. One by one. Every member of the crew. Including York, Clark's black slave. Including Sacagawea, an Indian woman, who was not even American.

This was Lewis and Clark at their best. The brilliant leaders were a century ahead of the time.