This expedition marked the beginning of U.S. colonial incursions into the West. While the Spanish had settlements in the areas that would come to be known as New Mexico and California since 1598 and 1769 respectively, the U.S. government-funded exploration of the West by the Lewis and Clark expedition set the stage for land speculation and non-Native settlement in the Great Plains. Clark would go on to become general of the militia and superintendent of Indian affairs in St. Louis, negotiating land cession treaties in the areas he formerly explored. Notably, Clark had mixed feelings about these treaties. With respect to the Osage Treaty of 1810 (also known as the Treaty of Ft. Clark), it was reported that he said, “If he were to be damned hereafter it would be for making that treaty” (qtd. in Edwards 64-65).