When you have completed this project, you will have learned that Missouri 
depended on a wide variety of people to help it grow.  Running an outpost isn't easy, as you found out, but you learned that "trading" has been around for years and it was very important to communities who did not have a money system.  The French pioneers and Indian natives, who were very different from each other, depended on each other through "trade."  You will find that trading has been around longer than "money." 

If you want to take your research farther, see if you can establish a bartering system with modern day items.  For example, a television is worth a "cd player."  Try to construct a "trading post" using modern day materials.  It would be very interesting to see what people would be willing to trade for a new car or a popsicle treat.  I hope you became rich and wealthy running your own trading post.  If you didn't, then I hope you are good at begging for a job!  Thank you for your hard work!