This being my birth day I order'd a Saddle of fat vennison, an Elk fleece & a Bevartail to be cooked and a Desert of Cheries, Plumbs, Raspberres currents and grapes of a Spur quality.... Musquetors verry troublesom, the Praries Contain Cheres, Apple, Grapes, Currents, Raspburry, Gooseberry Hastlenuts and a great variety of Plants & flours not common to the US.      What a field for a Botents (botanist) and a natirless (naturalist)

   the morning was foggy    the Indians Beheav^d well while Incamp^d Neer our party    Cap^tn Lewis Brought them to a treaty after the hour of 9 Oclock there was Six of the Zottoe (Oto) Cheifs & Six of the Missueriees; he gave 3 of the head chiefs a Meaddle Each; and Other three Commissions in the Name of the president of the U.S.    they was well Content in the presence of their two fathers, which was M. Lewis & W ^m Clark d^o when the Articles was Opend Out they Said as long as the french had traded with (them) they Never Gave them as much as a Knife for Nothing. Got under way in the Evening    Sail^d 5 miles.

...Cap^t Lewis myself & 10 men assended the Hill on the L. S. (under which there was some fine Springs) to the top of a high point where the Mahars King Black Bird was burried 4 years ago.... about 400 of the Mahars Died with the Small Pox....

...the Party with the Indians (Otoes) arriv^d... and after a Short talk we gave them Provisions to eat & proceeded to the trial of (Moses) Reed, he confessed that he "Deserted & stold a public Rifle Shot-pouch Powder & Ball"... only Sentenced him to run the Gantlet four times through the Party & that each man with 9 Swichies Should punish him and for him not to be considered in future as one of the Party. The three principal Chiefs petitioned for Pardin for this man    after we explained the injurey such men could doe them by false representations, & explan'g the Customs of our Country they were all Satisfied....

...At 10 oClock we assembled the Chiefs and warriors 9 in number under an owning, and Cap. Lewis (we) explained the Speech Sent to the Nation from the Council Bluffs by M^r Faufon (Fairlong). The 3 chiefs and all the men or warriors made short Speeches approving the advice & Council their great father had Sent them, and concluded by giving themselves some Credit for their acts.    We then brought out and exchanged the Big horses Meadel and gave him one equal to the one Sent to the Little Thief & gave all Some Small articles & 8 Carrots of Tobacco, we gave one Small Meadel to one of the Chiefs and a Sertificate to the others of their good intentions....

   Sergeant Floyd much weaker and no better.... as bad as he can be no pulse & nothing will Stay a moment on his Stomach or bowels.... at the first Bluff on the S. S. Serj. Floyd Died with a great deal of Composure, before his death he Said to me, "I am going away" I want you to write me a letter." We buried him on the top of the bluff 1/2 Mile below a Small river to which we Gave his name.... This Man at all times gave us proofs of his firmness and Determined resolution to doe Service to his Countrey and honor himself    after paying all the honor to our Decesed brother we camped in the Mouth of floyds River about 30 yards wide, a butiful evening.

...about 9 oClock the Indians brought across the river in our pearogue    our Captains counseled with them read a Speech to them, 7 made 5 of them chiefs & Gave them all Some Marchandize &c &c. They received them verry thankfully divided them out among themselves, & play on their juze harps, Sung &c.... Cap^t Lewis Shot his air gun told them that their was medician in hir & that She would doe Great execution, they were all amazed at the curiosity....

...discovered a Village of Small animals that burrow in the grown (those animals are Called by the French Petite Chien) Killed one and Caught one a live by poreing a great quantity of Water in his hole
...those little animals Set erect make a Whistleing noise and whin allarmed Step into their hole....
Those Animals are about the Size of a Small Squrel Shorter (or longer) & thicker, the head much resembling a Squirel in every respect.... they have fine fur & the longer hair is gray....

...Cap^t Clark joined us    had killed a curious annamil resembling a Goat.... it was 3 feet high resembles a Deer in some parts    the legs like a Deer. feet like a Goat. horns like a Goat only forked.... Goat (antelope) Stuffed in order to Send back to the city of Washington. the bones and all.

...I walked on Shore with a view of examening this bend    crossed at the Narost part which is a high irregular hills of about 180 or 190 feet, this place the gouge of the bend is 1 mile & a quarter (from river to river or across,) from this high land which is only in the Gouge, the bend is a Butiful Plain thro which I walked.... Camped late on a Sand Bar near the S.S. (starboard side)....

...at 2 oC we proceeded on passed a long range of bluffs on N.S. of a dark coulour. out of those and others of the same kind is where the Missourie Gets its muddy colour for this Earth melts like Sugar....

...the river is nearly Streight for a great distance wide and Shoal (4) passed a Creek on the S.S. 16 yards wide we Call Reuben Creek, as R. Fields found ot. Camped on the S.S. below the mouth of a Creek on the L. S....

...The Tribes of the Seauex Called the Teton, is Camped about 2 Miles up on the N.W. Side, and we Shall Call the River after that Nation, Teton This river is 70 yards wide at the mouth of Water, and has a considerable Current    we anchored off the Mouth....
   ...we preparre to Speek with the Indians tomorrow....

...Envited those Chiefs on board to Show them our boat and such Curiossities as was Strange to them, we gave them 1/4 a glass of whiskey which they appeared to be verry fond of, Sucked the bottle after it was out & Soon began to be troublesom, one of the 2^d Cheif assumeing Drunkness, as a Cloake for his rascally intentions    I went with those Cheifs.... to shore with a view of reconsileing those men to us, as Soon as I landed the Perogue three of their young Men Seased the Cable of the Perogue, (in which we had presents &c) the Chiefs Sold^r (each chief has a soldier) Huged the mast, and the 2^d Chief was verry insolent both in words & justures.... I felt My self Compeled to Draw my Sword (and Made a Signal to the boat to prepare for action) at this motion Cap^t Lewis ordered all under arms in the boat, those with me also Showed a Disposition to Defend themselves and me, the grand Chief then took hold of the roap & ordered the young Warrers away, I felt My Self warm & Spoke in verry positive terms.
   Most of the Warriers appeared to have ther Bows strung and took out their arrows from the quiver. as I (being surrounded) was not permited (by them) to return. I sent all the men except 2 Inp.(Interpreters) to the boat, the perogue Soon returned with about 12 of our determined men ready for any event. this movement caused a no: of the Indians to withdraw at a distance, (leaving their chiefs & soldiers alone with me).... I turned off & went with my men on board the perogue, I had not pros^d more than 10 paces before the 1^st Cheif & 2 Brave men Waded in after me. I took them in & went on board....

...Cap^t Clark told them that he had men and medican on board that would kill 20 Such nations in one day. they then began to be Still and only wished that we would Stop at their lodges untill their women & children would see us....

...the natives appeared peacable & kind.... when the Indians Saw the officers comming they Spread a buffaloe Robe on the Ground and they Set down on it, then it was taken up by 4 warriers and carried to the Grand chiefs lodge. they killed Several fat dogs which they call the best meat that ever was.

...Those Indians (Arikara) were much astonished at my Servent, they never Saw a black man before, all flocked around him & examin^d him from top to toe, he Carried on the joke and made himself more turribal than we wished him to doe....

   one man J. Newmon (John Newman) confined for mutinous expression.... a fiew miles from the river on the S.S. (starboard side) 2 Stones resembling humane persons & one resembling a Dog is Situated in the open Prarie, to those stones the Rickores (Arikara) pay great reverance make offerings (votive Dress &c.) whenever they pass (Informt ⁿ of the chief & Intepeter) those People have a curious Tredition of Those Stones, one was a man in Love, one is a Girl whose parents would not let marry (The Man as is customary went off to mourn, the female followed.), the Dog went to morn with them    all turned to Stone gradually, commenceing at the feet. Those people fed on grapes untill they turned, & the woman has a bunch of grapes yet in her hand....
   we Tried the Prisoner Newmon.... by 9 of his Peers they did "Centence him 75 Lashes & Disbanded (from) the party."

...Set out early proceeded on at 6 m^ls passed the mouth of la (Le) Boulet (or Cannon Ball River) about 140 yards wide on the L.S.    this river heads in the Court Noi or Black Mountains (a fine day) above the mouth of the river Great numbers of Stone perfectly round with fine Grit are in the Bluff and on the Shore, the river takes its name from those Stones which resemble Cannon Balls....
...The Countrey in this Quarter is Generally leavel & fine    Some high Short hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a Distance

...I walked out on the Hills & observed Great numbers of Buffalow.... I saw Some remarkable round hills forming a cone at top one about 90 foot one 60 & several others Smaller, the Indian Chief say that the Callemet bird (golden eagle) live in the holes of those hills....

   a verry Cold night wind hard from the N.E.... Some distance up this River (Chiss-che-tar, the Heart River) is Situated a Stone which the Indians have great faith in & say they See painted on the Stone, all the Calemetes & good fortune to hapin the nation & parties who visit it. a tree (an oak) which Stands (alone) near this place (about 2 miles off) in the open prarie.... they (Mandans) pay Great respect to    make holes and tie Strings thro (the skins of their) their necks and around this tree to make them brave.... at 2 Miles passed the 2^nd Village of the Mandins which was in existance at the same time with the 1^st    this Village is at the foot of a hill on the S.S. in a butifull & extensive plain....
at this time covered with Buffalow....

   last night at 1 oClock I was violently and Suddenly attacked with the Rhumetism in the neck which was So violent I could not move    Cap^t (Lewis) applied a hot stone raped in flannel, which gave me some temporey ease...

...no game on the river to day - a prof of the Indians hunting in the neighbourhood

...a frenchman has latterly been killed by the Indians on the Track to the tradeing establishment on the Ossinebine R. in the North of this place (or British fort)... Several Indians came to see us this evening... customary for this (Mandan) nation to Show their greaf by some testimony of pain, and that it is not uncommon to take off 2 Smaller fingers of the hand (at the 2^nd joints) and some times more with other marks of Savage effection....

...at this Camp Saw a (M^r) M^c Cracken Englishmon from the N. W. (Hudson Bay) Company this man Came nine days ago to trade for horses and Buffalow robes, - one other man came with him. the Indians continued on the banks all day. but little wood on this part of the river....
   ...camped on the L.S.... many men womin & children flocked down to See us, Cap^t Lewis walked to the village with the principal Chiefs and our interpters, my Rhumatic complaint increasing I could not go.

   We set out arly    came to the Village on the L. S.     this village situated on an eminance of about 50 feet above the Water in a handsom plain it containes houses in every kind of Picket work, the houses are round and verry large containing several families....

...This village contains 40 or 50 lodges, built in the manner of those of the Rickarees.... some of the children have fair hair....

...this is the most convenient place to hold a counsel with the whole nation, we hoisted a flag pole &, C.    from the mouth of the Missouri to this place is 1610 miles.

...entertained Several of the Curious Chiefs whome, wished to see the Boat which was verry curious to them viewing it as great medison, (whatever is mysterious or unintelligible is called great medicine) as they also Viewed my black Servent....

To Charles Chaboiller, Esq. of the N.W. Co.
   Sir:    ...We have been commissioned and sent by the government of the United States for the purpose of exploring the river Missouri, and the western parts of the continent of North America, with a view to the promotion of general science. Your government have been advised of the voyage....
   We shall, at all times, extend our protection as well to British subjects as American citizens... it is consonant with the liberal policy of our government, not only to admit within her territory the free egress and regress of all citizens and subjects of foreign powers with which she is in amity, but also to extend to them her protection, while within the limits of her jurisdiction....
   We are, with much respect, Your ob't. serv'ts.

...M^r M^C Crackin.... Set out at 7 oClock to the Fort on the Ossiniboin    by him Send a letter, (inclosing a Copy of the British Ministers protection [passport]) to the principal agent (Charles Chaboillez) of the Company....

...engaged one man (Baptiste Le Page) (a Canadian Frenchman who had been with the Chayenne Ind. on the Côte noir & last summer descended thence the Little Missouri - he was of our permanent.) Set the french who intend to return (to St. Louis) to build a perogue, many Indians pass to hunt, M^r Jessomme (Jesseaume) with his squar & children come down to live, as Interpter... in the evening the ka goh ha me or little ravin came & brought us on his Squar (who carried it on her back) about 60 W^t of Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot of Meal &c.    they Delayed all night....

   I rose verry early and commenced raising the 2 range of Huts (Fort Mandan)     the timber large and heavy all carry on on Hand Sticks, cotton wood & Elm Som ash Small, our situation Sandy, great numbers of Indians pass to and from hunting....

...all hands.... Splitting out punchiens for to lay the loft which we intend covering over with earth to make huts more warm and comfortable....

...Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or round House, Cov ^d with earth with a fire in the middle....

   a cold Day    continued at work at the Fort... two squars (one Sacajawea) of the Rock mountains, purchased from the Indians by a frenchmen (Chabneau) came down....

   a cold morning Some wind    the Black Cat, inquiries respecting our fashions, he also Stated the Situation of their nation.... we advised them to remain at peace & that they might depend upon Getting Supplies through the Channel of the Missourie, but it required time to put the trade in opperation....

...I was allarmed about 10 oClock by the Sentinal, who informed that an Indian was about to kill his wife.... the husband observed, that one of our Serjeants Slept with his wife.... We derected the Serjeant (Odway) to give the man Some articles... and advised him to take his squar home and live hapily together in future....

pleasant and warm.... the pearogue returned towards evening with ab^t 12 bushels of mixed coullour^d corn in ears which the natives took out of the Ground where they burry it in holes in theri village.

...the Thermt^r at Sun rise Stood at 22° below 0.... Mr. Henny from the (Hudson's Bay) Establishment on River Ossinniboin... arrived....

...The object of the visits we received from the N. W. Company, was to ascertain our motives for visiting that country, and to gain information with respect to the change of government.

...We found Mr. Henny a Verry intelligent Man from whome we obtained Some Scetches of the Countrey between the Mississippi & Missouri, and Some Scetches... obtained from the Indin. to the West of this place also the names and charecktors of the Seeaux &c.    about 8 oClock PM. the thermometer fell to 74° below the freesing pointe.

   a cold day. Serg^t Gass fixed a horse Sled for one of the N. W. Comp^y traders to go to thier forts....

...the Indian whome I stoped from Commiting Murder on his wife, ‘thro jellosy of one of our interprters, Came & brought his two wives and Shewed great anxiety to make up with the man with whome his joulussey Sprung....

[ Prestart Letters | The Order | 1803 | 1-5 1804 | 5-7 1804 | 8-12 1804 ]
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