Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., announced this week an arrangement with the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., to exhibit rare documents from the Meriwether Lewis and William Clark collection at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center.

"I'm pleased to report that the weekend of April 24 and 25 has been selected to display these rare documents." stated Dorgan. "The Library of Congress will send three Lewis and Clark documents and a historian for public programs and an exhibition at the confluence center near Fort Buford Historical Site."

The three documents include an 1806 press release, handwritten by President Thomas Jefferson, announcing the successful completion of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Meriwether Lewis' estimate of expenses for the expedition. Written in 1803, the $2,500 estimate was used by Jefferson in his secret message to Congress asking for that sum of money to finance the journey and a handwritten letter from President Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis welcoming him back from the expedition, and receiving news of the expedition's successful conclusion and return "with unspeakable joy."

"These historic documents will help bring alive the Lewis and Clark expedition for the many residents and visitors to the region," stated Dorgan. "I was pleased to work with local officials to bring this unique opportunity to the region."