[*"It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate - to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance."*](http://www.quotes.net/quote/8103) [***Thomas Jefferson »***](http://www.quotes.net/authors/Thomas%20Jefferson) 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)