President Jefferson assigned the task of exploring the new land to Meriwether Lewis because Lewis had extensive knowledge of the western territories, having previously served as Jefferson's personal secretary and as a captain in the U.S. Army. Lewis was also an experienced outdoorsman and had developed skills in mapping, botany, and wildlife observation during his time in the military. Additionally, Lewis had a close relationship with Jefferson and shared his vision for expanding the knowledge and influence of the United States in the western territories. These qualities made Lewis a natural choice to lead the expedition.
