[Lewis, November 1, 1804]
Thursday November 1st 1804
The wind blew so violently during the greater part of this day that we
were unable to quit our encampment; in the evening it abated;--we
droped down about seven miles and land on N. E. side of the river at a
large point of Woodland.
[Clark, November 2, 1804]
2nd Novr. 1804 Friday--Capt Lewis returned to the Village & I fixed on
a place for to build a fort and Set to work Cap Lewis returned in the
eveng with 11 bushels of Corn, the Ricarre Chief Set out for his
Village accompanied by Several mandans
[Clark, November 2, 1804]
2nd November Friday 1804 This morning at Day light I went down the
river with 4 men to look for a proper place to winter proceeded down
the river three miles & found a place well Supld. with wood, &
returned, Capt. Lewis went to the village to here what they had to Say
& I fell down, and formed a camp near where a Small Camp of Indian were
huntig Cut down the Trees around our Camp, in the evening Capt. Lewis
returned with a present of 11 bushels of Corn, our recaree Chief Set
out acccompanied by one Chief and Several Brave men, he Called for Some
Small article which we had given but as I could not understand him he
Could not get. the wind from the S. E. a fine day--many Indians to day
[Lewis, November 2, 1804]
Friday November 2nd 1804" This morning early we fixed on the site for
our fortification which we immediately set about.
This place we have named Fort Mandan in honour of our Neighbours.
[Clark, November 3, 1804]
3rd of November Satturday 1804 wind hard from the west Commence
building our Cabins, Dispatched 6 hunters in a perogue Down the River
to hunt, Discharged the french hands, Mr. Jessomme his Squar & child
moved to camp, the little Crow loaded his Squar with meat for us also a
Roabe, we gave the Squar an ax & &. Cought 2 bever near Camp
[Clark, November 3, 1804]
3rd of November Satterday 1804
a fine morning wind hard from the West we commence building our
Cabins, Send Down in Perogue 6 men to hunt Engaged one man, Set the
french who intend to return to build a perogue, many Indians pass to
hunt, Mr. Jessomme with his Squar & Children. come Down to live, as
Interpter, we recive a hors for our Sirvice, in the evening the Ka goh
ha mi or little ravin Came & brought us on his Squar about 60 Wt. of
Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot of Meal &. they Delayed all night-
we gave his Squar an ax & a fiew Small articles & himself a piece of
Tobacco, the Men were indulged with a Dram, this evening two Beaver
Cought This morning--and one Trap Lost
[Clark, November 4, 1804]
4th of Novr. a french man by Name Chabonah, who Speaks the Big Belley
language visit us, he wished to hire & informed us his 2 Squars were
Snake Indians, we engau him to go on with us and take one of his wives
to interpet the Snake language The Indians Horses & Dogs live in the
Same Lodge with themselves
[Clark, November 4, 1804]
4th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan
a fine morning we Continued to Cut Down trees and raise our houses, a
Mr. Chaubonee, interpeter for the Gross Vintre nation Came to See us,
and informed that he came Down with Several Indians from a Hunting
expedition up the river, to here what we had told the Indians in Councl
this man wished to hire as an interpeter, the wind rose this evining
from the East & Clouded up--Great numbers of Indians pass hunting and
Some on the return-
[Clark, November 5, 1804]
5th November Monday 1804
I rose verry early and commenced raising the 2 range of Huts the timber
large and heavy all to Carry on Hand Sticks, Cotton wood & Elm Som ash
Small, our Situation Sandy, great numbers of Indians pass to and from
hunting a Camp of Mandans, A fiew miles below us Cought within two days
100 Goat, by Driveing them in a Strong pen, derected by a Bush fence
widening from the pen &c. &. the Greater part of this day Cloudy, wind
moderate from the N. W. I have the Rhumitism verry bad, Cap Lewis
writeing all Day--we are told by our interpeter that 4 Ossiniboin
Indians, have arrived at the Camps of the Gross Venters & 50 Lodges are
Comeing
[Clark, November 6, 1804]
6th of Nov. Mr. Gravolin our Ricara Interpreter & 2 of our french hands
& 2 boys Set out in a Canoe for the Ricaras Mr. ravellin is to
accompany the Ricaras Chiefs to the City of Washington in the Spring,
Great numbers of Geese pass to the South which is a certain approach of
ice
[Clark, November 6, 1804]
6th November Tuesday 1804 Fort Mandan
last night late we wer awoke by the Sergeant of the Guard to See a
nothern light, which was light, not red, and appeared to Darken and
Some times nearly obscered, and open, many times appeared in light
Streeks, and at other times a great Space light & containing floating
Collomns which appeared opposite each other & retreat leaveing the
lighter Space at no time of the Same appearence
This morning I rose a Day light the Clouds to the North appeared black
at 8 oClock the wind begun to blow hard from the N W. and Cold, and
Continud all Day Mr. Jo Gravilin our ricare interpeter Paul premor,
Lajuness & 2 french Boys, who Came with us, Set out in a Small perogue,
on their return to the ricaree nation & the Illinois, Mr. Gravilin has
instructions to take on the recarees in the Spring &c.--Continue to
build the huts, out of Cotton Timber, &c. this being the only timber we
have.
[Clark, November 7, 1804]
7th November Wednesday 1804
a termperate day we continued to building our hut, Cloudy and fogging
all day
[Clark, November 8, 1804]
8th Novr. Thursday 1804
a Cloudy morning Jussome our interpreter went to the Village, on his
return he informed us that three English men had arrived from the
Hudsons Bay Company, and would be here tomorrow, we Contd. to build our
huts, many Indians Come to See us and bring their horses to Grass near
us
[Clark, November 9, 1804]
9th Novr. Friday 1804 a verry hard frost this morning we Continue to
build our Cabens, under many disadvantages, Day Cloudy wind from the N
W. Several Indians pass with flying news, we got a White weasel, (Taile
excepted which was black at the end) of an Indian Capt Lewis walked to
the hill abt. 3/4 of a mile--we are Situated in a point of the Missouri
North Side in a Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy
Containing an imence quantity of water Brickle & Soft food for Horses
to winter (as is Said by the Indians) The Mandans Graze their horses in
the day on Grass, and at night give them a Stick of Cotton wood to
eate, Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or
round House, Covd. with earth with a fire in the middle
great number of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high
[Clark, November 10, 1804]
10th November Satturday 1804
rose early continued to build our fort numbers of Indians Came to See
us a Chief Half Partia & brought a Side of a Buffalow, in return We
Gave Some fiew small things to himself & wife & Son, he Crossed the
river in the Buffalow Skin Canoo & and, the Squar took the Boat and
proceeded on to the Town 3 miles the Day raw and Cold wind from the N
W, the Gees Continue to pass in gangues as also brant to the South,
Some Ducks also pass
[Clark, November 11, 1804]
11th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan
a Cold Day Continued at work at the Fort Two men Cut themselves
with an ax, The large Ducks pass to the South an Indian gave me Several
roles of parched meal two Squars of the Rock Mountain, purchased from
the Indians by a frenchmen Came down The Mandans out hunting the
Buffalow
[Clark, November 12, 1804]
12th November Monday 1804
a verry Cold night early this morning the Big White princapal Chief of
the lower Village of the Mandans Came Down, he packd about 100 W. of
fine meet on his Squar for us, we made Some Small presents to the
Squar, & Child gave a Small ax which She was much pleased--3 men Sick
with the ____ Several, Wind Changeable verry cold evening, freesing all
day Some ice on the edges of the river.
Swans passing to the South, the Hunters we Sent down the river to hunt
has not returned
The interpeter Says that the Mandan nation as they old men Say Came out
of a Small lake where they had Gardins, maney years ago they lived in
Several Villages on the Missourie low down, the Smallpox destroyed the
greater part of the nation and reduced them to one large Village and
Some Small ones, all nations before this maladey was affrd. of them
after they were reduced the Sioux and other Indians waged war, and
killed a great maney, and they moved up the Missourie, those Indians
Still continued to wage war, and they moved Still higher, untill they
got in the Countrey of the Panias, whith this ntn. they lived in
friendship maney years, inhabiting the Same neighbourhood untill that
people waged war, They moved up near the watersoons & winataree where
they now live in peace with those nations, the mandans Specke a
language peculial to themselves
they can rase about 350 men, the Winatarees about 80 and the Big
bellies about 600 or 650 men. the mandans and Seauex have the Same word
for water-The Big bellies Winitarees & ravin Indians Speake nearly the
Same language and the presumption is they were origionally the Same
nation The Ravin Indians have 400 Lodges & about 1200 men, & follow the
Buffalow, or hunt for their Subsistance in the plains & on the Court
not & Rock Mountains, & are at war with the Sioux Snake Indians
The Big bellies & Watersoons are at war with the Snake Indians &
Seauex, and were at war with the Ricares untill we made peace a fiew
days passd.--The Mandans are at War with all who make war on them, at
present with the Seauex only, and wish to be at peace with all nations,
Seldom the agressors-
[Clark, November 13, 1804]
13th The Ice begin to run we move into our hut, visited by the Grand
Chief of the Mandans, and Che chark Lagru a Chief of the Assinniboins &
7 men of that Nation, I Smoke with them and gave the Chief a Cord & a
Carrot of Tobacco--this Nation rove in the Plains above this and trade
with the British Companes on the Ossinniboin River, they are Divided
into Several bands, the decendants of the Sioux & Speak nearly their
langguage a bad disposed Set & Can raies about moo men in the 3 bands
near this place, they trade with the nations of this neighbourhood for
horses Corn & Snow all Day Capt. L. at the village.
[Clark, November 13, 1804]
13th Novr. Tuesday 1804
The Ice began to run in the river 1/2 past 10 oClock P. M we rose early
& onloaded the boat before brackfast except, the Cabin, & Stored away
in a Store house--at 10 oClock A M the Black Cat the Mandin Chief and
Lagru Che Chark Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan, I gave
him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with his people & a Gold Cord with a
view to Know him again, The nation Consists of about 600 men, hunt in
the Plains & winter and trade on the Ossiniboin River, they are
Decendants of the Siaux and Speake their language, they Come to the
nations to this quarter to trade or (make preasthts) for horses the
method of this Kind of Trafick by addoption Shall be explained
hereafter &, Snow'd all day, the Ice ran thick and air Cold.
[Clark, November 14, 1804]
Fort Mandan
14th of November Wednesday 1804
a Cloudy morning, ice runing verry thick river rose 1/2 Inch last night
Some Snow falling, only two Indians visit us to day Owing to a Dance at
the Village last night in Concluding a Serimoney of adoption, and
interchange of property, between the Ossiniboins, Christinoes and the
nations of this neighbourhood--we Sent one man by land on hors back to
know the reason of the Delay of our hunters, this evening 2 french men
who were traping below Came up-with 20 beaver we are compelled to use
our Pork which we doe Spearingly for fear of Some falur in precureing a
Sufficiency from the Woods.
our Interpeter informs that 70 Lodges one of 3 bands of Assinniboins &
Some Crestinoes, are at the Mandan Village. The Crrirstinoes are abt.
300 men Speak the Chipaway-Language, the live near Fort De peare
[Clark, November 15, 1804]
15th of November Thursday 1804
a Cloudy morning, the ice run much thicker than yesterday at 10 oClock
G Drewyer & the frenchman we Dispatched yesterday came up from the
Hunters, who is incamped about 30 miles below--after a about one hour
we Dispatched a man with orders to the hunters to proceed on without
Delay thro the floating ice, we Sent by the man Tin, to put on the
parts of the Perogue exposed to the ice & a toe roape--The wind
Changeable--all hands work at their huts untill 1 oClock at night Swans
passing to the South--but fiew fowls water to be Seen--not one Indian
Came to our fort to day
[Clark, November 16, 1804]
16th November Friday 1804
a verry white frost all the trees all Covered with ice, Cloudy, all the
men move into the huts which is not finishd Several Indians Come to
Camp to day, The Ossiniboins is at the Big bellie Camp, Some trouble
like to take place between them from the loss of horses &c. as is Said
by an old Indian who visited us with 4 buffalow robes & Corn to trade
for a pistol which we did not let him have, men imployed untill late in
dobing their huts, Some horses Sent down to Stay in the woods near the
fort, to prevent the Ossniboins Steeling them
[Clark, November 17, 1804]
17 th November Satturday 1804
a fine morning, last night was Cold, the ice thicker than yesterday,
Several Indians visit us, one Chief Stayed all day we are much engaged
about our huts.
[Clark, November 18, 1804]
18th Novr. Sunday 1804
a Cold morning Some wind the Black Cat, Chief of the Mandans Came to
See us, he made Great inquiries respecting our fashions. he also Stated
the Situation of their nation, he mentioned that a Council had been
held the day before and it was thought advisable to put up with the
resent insults of the Ossiniboins & Christonoes untill they were
Convinced that what had been told thim by us, Mr. Evins had deceived
them & we might also, he promised to return & furnish them with guns &
amunitiion, we advised them to remain at peace & that they might depend
upon Getting Supplies through the Channel of the Missouri, but it
requred time to put the trade in opperation. The Assiniboins &c have
the trade of those nations in their power and treat them badly as the
Soux does the Ricarees and they cannot resent for fear of loseing their
trade &.
[Clark, November 19, 1804]
19th of November 1804 our hunters return with 32 Deerr, 12 Elk & a
Buffalow Ice ran which detained the huntes much Cap lewis visit the Me
ne tar rees, the 25th and returned the 27th of Nov. with 2 Chiefs &c.
&c. and told me that 2 Clerks & 5 men of the N W Company & Several of
the hudsons Bay Company had arrived with goods to trade with the
Indians a Mr. La Roche & Mc Kinzey are the Celerks (Distant 150 Miles
across)
[Clark, November 19, 1804]
19th Novr. Monday a Cold day the ice Continue to run our Perogue of
Hunters arrive with 32 Deer, 12 Elk & a Buffalow, all of this meat we
had hung up in a Smoke house, a timeley supply--Several Indians here
all day--the wind bley hard from the N. W. by W. our men move into
their huts, Several little Indian aneckdts. told me to day
[Clark, November 20, 1804]
20th November Tuesday 1804
Capt Lewis & my Self move into our huts, a verry hard wind from the W.
all the after part of the day a temperate day Several Indians Came Down
to Eat fresh meat, three Chiefs from the 2d Mandan Village Stay all
Day, they are verry Curious in examining our works. Those Chiefs
informs us that the Souix settled on the Missourie above Dog River,
threten to attacked them this winter, and have treated 2 Ricares who
Carried the pipe of peace to them Verry roughly. whiped & took their
horses from them &c. &c. & is much displeased with Ricares for makeing
a peace with the Mandans &. &. through us, &. we gave them a
Sattisfactory answer. &c. &c.
[Clark, November 21, 1804]
21st Novr. Wednesday a fine Day dispatched a perogu and Collected Stone
for our Chimnys, Some wind from the S. W. arrange our different
articles--maney Indians visit us to day, G D hurd his hand verry bad-
all the party in high Spirits--The river Clear of ice, & riseing a
little
[Clark, November 22, 1804]
22nd of November Thursday 1804
a fine morning Dispatched a perogue and 5 Men under the Derection of
Sergeant Pryor to the 2nd Village for 100 bushels of Corn in ears which
Mr. Jessomme, let us have did not get more than 80 bushels--I was
allarmed about 10 oClock by the Sentinal, who informed that an Indian
was about to Kill his wife in the interpeters fire about 60 yards below
the works, I went down and Spoke to the fellow about the rash act which
he was like to commit and forbid any act of the kind near the fort-
Some missunderstanding took place between this man & his wife about 8
days ago, and She came to this place, & Continued with the Squars of
the interpeters, 2 days ago She returned to the Villg. in the evening
of the Same day She came to the interpeters fire appearently much beat,
& Stabed in 3 places--We Detected that no man of this party have any
intercourse with this woman under the penelty of Punishment--he the
Husband observed that one of our Serjeants Slept with his wife & if he
wanted her he would give her to him, We derected the Serjeant Odway to
give the man Some articles, at which time I told the Indian that I
believed not one man of the party had touched his wife except the one
he had given the use of her for a nite, in his own bed, no man of the
party Should touch his Squar, or the wife of any Indian, nor did I
believe they touch a woman if they knew her to be the wife of another
man, and advised him to take his Squar home and live hapily together in
future,--at this time the Grand Chief of the nation arrived, & lecturd
him, and they both went off apparently dis
The grand Chief continued all day a warm Day fair afternoon--many
Indian anickdotes one Chief & his familey Stay all night.
[Clark, November 23, 1804]
23rd, a fair warm Day, wind from the S. E. Send after Stone Several
men with bad Colds, one man Sheilds with the Rhumitism the river on a
Stand haveing rose 4 Inches in all
[Clark, November 24, 1804]
24th of November Satturday 1804
a warm Day Several men with bad Coalds we continue to Cover our Huts
with hewed punchens, finishd. a Cord to draw our boat out on the bank,
this is made 9 Straps of Elk Skin,--the wind from the S. E.
[Clark, November 25, 1804]
25th of Novr. Sunday 1804
a fine day warm & pleasent Capt. Lewis 2 Interpeters & 6 men Set out to
See the Indians in the different Towns & Camps in this neighbour hood,
we Continu to Cover & dob our huts, two Chiefs Came to See me to day
one named Wau-ke-res-sa-ra, a Big belley and the first of that nation
who has visited us Since we have been here, I gave him a Handkerchef
Paint & a Saw band, and the other Some fiew articles, and paid a
perticular attention which pleased them verry much, the interpeters
being all with Capt. Lewis I could not talk to them. we Compleated our
huts--Several men with bad Colds, river fall 11/2 inch
[Clark, November 26, 1804]
26th of Novr. 1804 Monday Fort Mandan
a little before day light the wind shifted to the N. W. and blew hard
and the air Keen & Cold all day, Cloudy and much the appearance of
Snow; but little work done to day it being Cold &c.
[Clark, November 27, 1804]
27th of November Tuesday 1804
a cloudy morning after a verry Cold night, the River Crouded with
floating ice wind from the N W. finished Dobing Capt. Lewis returned
from the Villages with two Chiefs Mar-noh toh & Man-nes-sur ree & a
Considerate man with the party who accompanied him, The Menitares, (or
Big bellies) were allarmed at the tales told them by the Mandans Viz:
that we intended to join the Seaux to Cut off them in the Course of the
winter, many Circumstances Combind to give force to those reports i e
the movements of the interpeters & their families to the Fort, the
strength of our work &. &.
all those reports was contridicted by Capt Louis with a Conviction on
the minds of the Indians of the falsity of those reports--the Indians
in all the towns & Camps treated Capt Lewis & the party with Great
respect except one of the principal Cheifs Mar par pa par ra pas a too
or (Horned Weasel) who did not Chuse to be Seen by the Capt. & left
word that he was not at home &.
Seven Traders arrived from the fort on the Ossinaboin from the N W
Companey one of which Lafrances took upon himself to speak unfavourably
of our intentions &. the princpal Mr. La Rock, (& Mr. McKensey) was
informed of the Conduct of their interpeter & the Consiquinces if they
did not put a Stop to unfavourable & ill founded assursions &c. &.
The two Chiefs much pleased with their treatments & the Cherefullness
of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c. &c.
The river fall 2 Inches verry Cold and began to Snow at 8 oClock P M
and Continued all night--Some miss understanding with Jussomm & his
woman--at Day the Snow Seased
[Clark, November 28, 1804]
28th Novr. Wednesday 1804
a cold morning wind from the N. W river full of floating ice, began to
Snow at 7 oClock a m and continued all day at 8 oClock the
Poss-cop-so-he or Black Cat Grand Chief of the Mandans Came to See us,
after Showing Those Chiefs many thing which was Curiossities to them,
and Giveing a fiew presents of Curioes Handkerchiefs arm bans & paint
with a twist of Tobaco they departed at 1 oClock much pleased, at
parting we had Some little talk on the Subject of the British Trader
Mr. Le rock Giveing Meadils & Flags, and told those Chiefs to impress
it on the minds of their nations that those Simbells were not to be
recved by any from them, without they wished incur the displieasure of
their Great American Father--a verry disagreeable day--no work done to
day river fall 1 Inch to day
[Clark, November 29, 1804]
29th November Thursday 1804
A verry Cold windey day wind from the N. W by W. Some Snow last night
the Detpt of the Snow is various in the wood about 13 inches, The river
Closed at the Village above and fell last night two feet Mr. La Rock
and one of his men Came to visit us we informed him what we had herd of
his intentions of makeing Chiefs &c. and forbid him to give meadels or
flags to the Indians, he Denied haveing any Such intention, we agreeed
that one of our interpeters Should Speak for him on Conditions he did
not Say any thing more than what tended to trade alone--he gave fair
promises &.
[Clark, November 30, 1804]
30h of Nov. an Indian Chief Came and informed us that five Men of the
Mandans Nation was on a hunting party to the S W, distance about Eight
Leagues, they were Surprised one man Killed two wounded and nine horses
taken, Severale others men wer on hunting partes & were to have
returned Several days ago & had not yet returned, & that they expected
to be attacked by an army of Sioux I took 23 men and went to the
Village deturmined to Collect the warriers of the Different Villages
and meet the Sioux--The village not expecting Such Strong aid in So
Short a time was a little alarmed of the formable appearance of my
party The principal Chiefs met me at 200 yards Distance from the Town,
and envited me to his Lodge. I told the Nation the Cause of Comeing &.
was to assist in Chastiseing the enimies of my Dutifull Children--I
requested great Chief to repeat the Cercunstance of the Sioux attack as
it realy happined which he did--I told them to Send runners to the
other villages & assemble the warriers & we Would go and Chastize the
Sioux for Spilling the Blood of my Dutifull Children--after a
Conversation of a few minits amongst themselves, a Chief Said that they
now Saw that what we had told them was the trooth and we were ready to
protect them and Kill those who did not listen to our Councils (and
after a long Speech) he concluded Said "the Sious who Spilt our Blood
is gorn home--The Snow is deep and it is Cold, our horses Cannot Travel
thro the plains in pursute--If you will go and conduct us in the Spring
after the Snow is gorn, we will assemble all the warriers & Brave men
in all the villages and go with you." I answered the Speach at Some
length, explained to them their Situation declareing our intentions of
Defending them at any time dureing the time we Should Stay in ther
nieghbourhood, explained the Situation of the Ricaras & told them not
to get angrey with them untill they were Certain of their haveing
violated the treaty &c. &. I crossed the River on the Ice and returned
to the fort
[Clark, November 30, 1804]
30th in the morning early a Indian Came to the river opposit & requsted
to be brought over, that he had Some thing to Say from his nation we
Sent for him, and after he had Smoked--he Said he thought the river was
frosted across here & expected to Cross on the ice
7 or 8 Mandans out hunting in a S. W, Derection from this place about 8
Leagues, after they had made their hunt and on their return was
attackted by a large Party of Seaux, one of the party a young Chief was
Killed 2 wounded & 9 horses taken, the men who made their escape Say
the one half of the party who attacked them was Panias-
The two Panias who Came here a fiew days ago was imediately Sent home,
for fear of their being put to death by the party Defeated
Two of the attacting party was Known to be Panies. The man who was
killed mentioned that after he was wounded, that he had been at war &
been wounded, "this day I shall die like a man before my Enimies,! tell
my father that I died bravely, and do not greive for me-"
4 of the Big bellies who were Camped near thos is missing, and
Searching for him in their Camps above--no one Dare to go to the ground
where the battle was for fear of the Sioux being noumerous-.
[Clark, November 30, 1804]
30th of November Friday 1804
This morning at 8 oClock an Indian Calld from the other Side and
informed that he had Something of Consequence to Communicate. we Sent a
perogue for him & he informed us as follows. Viz: "five men of the
Mandan Nation out hunting in a S. W. derection about Eight Leagues was
Suprised by a large party of Sceoux & Panies, one man was Killed and
two wounded with arrows & 9 Horses taken, 4 of the We ter Soon nation
was missing, & they expected to be attacked by the Souix &c. &." we
thought it well to Show a Disposition to ade and assist them against
their enimies, perticularly those who Came in oppersition to our
Councils, and I Deturmined to go to the town with Some men, and if the
Sceoux were comeing to attact the nation to Collect the worriers from
each Village and meet them, thos Ideas were also those of Capt Lewis, I
crossed the river in about an hour after the arrival of the Indian
express with 23 men including the interpeters and flankd the Town &
came up on the back part The Indians not expecting to receive Such
Strong aide in So Short a time was much Supprised, and a littled
allarmed at the formadable appearance of my party--The principal Chiefs
met me Some Distance from the town (Say 200 yards) and invited me in to
town, I ord my pty into dft. lodges & I explained to the nation the
cause of my comeing in this formadable manner to their Town, was to
asst and Chastise the enimies of our Dutifull Children,--I requested
the Grand Cheif to repeat the Circumstancies as they hapined which he
did as was mentioned by the Express in the morning--I then informed
them that if they would assemble their warrers and those of the
different Towns I would to meet the Army of Souix & Chastise thim for
takeing the blood of our dutifull Children &c. after a conversation of
a fiew minits anongst themselves, one Chief the Big Man Cien Said they
now Saw that what we hade told them was the trooth, whin we expected
the enimies of their Nation was Comeing to attact them, or had spilt
their blood were ready to protect them, and Kill those who would not
listen to our Good talk--his people had listened to what we had told
them and Cearlessly went out to hunt in Small parties believing
themselves to be Safe from the other Nations--and have been killed by
the Panies & Seauex. "I knew Said he that the Panies were Tiers, and
told the old Chief who Came with you (to Confirm a piece with us) that
his people were hers and bad men and that we killed them like the
Buffalow, when we pleased, we had made peace Several times and you
Nation have always Commened the war, we do not want to Kill you, and
will not Suffer you to Kill us or Steal our horses, we will make peace
with you as our two fathers have derected, and they Shall See that we
will not be the Ogressors, but we fear the Ricares will not be at
peace-long--My father those are the words I Spoke to the Ricare in Your
presents--you See they have not opened their ears to your good
"Councils but have Spuilt our blood. two Ricarees whome we Sent home
this day for fear of our peoples Killing them in their greaf-informed
us when they Came here Several days ago, that two Towns of the Ricares
were makeing their Mockersons, and that we had best take care of Our
horses & a number of Sieuex were in their Towns, and they believed not
well disposed towards us--four of the Wetersoons are now absent they
were to have been back in 16 days they have been out 24 we fear they
have fallen. my father the Snow is deep and it is cold our horses
Cannot travel thro the the plains,--those people who have Spilt our
blood have gorn back? if you will go with us in the Spring after the
Snow goes off we will raise the Warriers of all the Towns & nations
around about us, and go with you."
I told this nation that we Should be always willing and ready to defend
them from the insults of any nation who would dare to Come to doe them
injurey dureing the time we would remain in their neighbourhood, and
requstd. that they would inform us of any party who may at any time be
discovered by their Patroles or Scouts.
I was Sorry that the Snow in the Plains had fallen So Deep Sence the
Murder of the young Chief by the Scioux as prevented, their horses from
traveling I wished to meet those Scioux & all others who will not open
their ears, but make war on our dutifull Children, and let you See that
the Wariers of your great father will Chastize the enimies of his
dutifull Children the Mandans, wetersoons & Winitarees, who have opend.
their ears to his advice--you Say that the Panies or Ricares were with
the Sciaux, Some bad men may have been with the Sciaux you know there
is bad men in all nations, do not get mad with the racarees untill we
know if those bad men are Counternoncd. by their nation, and we are
Convsd. those people do not intend to follow our Councils--you know
that the Sceaux have great influence over the ricarees and perhaps have
led Some of them astray--you know that the Ricarees, are Dependant on
the Sceaux for their guns, powder, & Ball, and it was policy in them to
keep on as good terms as possible with the Siaux untill they had Some
other means of getting those articles &c. &. you know your Selves that
you are Compelled to put up with little insults from the Christinoes &
Ossinaboins (or Stone Inds.) because if you go to war with those
people, they will provent the traders in the north from bringing you
Guns Powder & Ball and by that means distress you verry much, but whin
you will have Certain Suppliers from your Great American father of all
those articls you will not Suffer any nation to insult you &c. after
about two hours conversation on various Subjects all of which tended
towards their Situation &c. I informed them I Should return to the
fort, the Chief Said they all thanked me verry much for the fatherly
protection which I Showed towards them, that the Village had been
Crying all the night and day for the death of the brave young man, who
fell but now they would wipe away their tears, and rejoice in their
fathers protection-and Cry no more
I then Paraded & Crossed the river on the ice and Came down on the N.
Side the Snow So deep, it was verry fatigueing arrved at the fort after
night, gave a little Taffee, a Cold night the river rise to its former
hite--The Chief frequently thanked me for Comeing to protect them--and
the whole Village appeared thankfull for that measure
[Clark, December 1, 1804]
1s Decr. a young Chief arrived
7 Chiens Came to the Village with a pipe & the 3 Ricares who Came here
a fiew days ago & Sent off yesterday have returned and Say that the
Sieaux & ricares are Camped together
[Clark, December 1, 1804]
1st of December Satturday 1804
wind from the N W. all hands ingaged in pitting pickets &. at 10 oClock
the half brother of the man who was killed Came and informd. us that
after my departure last night Six Chiens So Called by the french Shar
ha Indians had arrived with a pipe and Said that The mandans
apprehended danger from the Shar has as they were at peace with the
Seaux; and wished to Kill them and the Ricarees (or Parties) but the
Cheifs informed the nation "it was our wish that they Should not be
hurt, and forbid being Killed &c." we gave a little Tobacco &c. & this
man Departed well Satisfied with our councils and advice to him in the
evening a Mr. G Henderson in the imploy of the hudsons bay Company Sent
to trade with the Gros ventre-or big bellies So Called by the french
traders
[Clark, December 2, 1804]
2d of Decr. 1804 Visited by Several Mandan Chiefs and 4 Chyannes Inds.
who Came with a pipe to the Mandans, Sent a Speech to ther Nation a
flag & Some tobacco, also written a Speech to the Ricaras & Sioux,
informe them what they might depend on if they would not open their
ears, & &.
[Clark, December 2, 1804]
2nd of December Sunday 1804
The latter part of last night was verry warm and Continued to thaw
untill ____ oClock when the wind Shifted to the North at 11 oClock the
Chiefs of the Lower village of the Mandans with maney of theire young
men and 4 of the Shar-ha's who had come to Smoke with the pipe of Peace
with the Mandans, we explained to them our intentions our views and
advised them to be at peace, Gave them a flag for theire nation, Some
Tobacco with a Speech to Deliver to their nation on theire return, also
Sent by them a letter to Mrs. Tabbo & Gravoline, at the Ricares
Village, to interseid in proventing Hostilities, and if they Could not
effect those measures to Send & informe us of what was going on,
Stateing to the Indians the part we intend to take if the Rickores &
Seauex did not follow our Derections and be at peace with the nations
which we had addopted--We made Some fiew Small presents to those Shar
ha's and also Some to the Mandans & at 3 oClock they all Departed well
pleased, haveing Seen many Curisossties, which we Showed them-. river
rise one inch
[Clark, December 3, 1804]
3rd December Monday 1804.
a fine morning the after part of the day Cold & windey the wind from
the N W. The Father of the Mandan who was killed Came and made us a
present of Some Dried Simnens & a little pemicon, we made him Some
Small preasents for which he was much pleased
[Clark, December 4, 1804]
4th of December Tuesday 1804
a Cloudy raw Day wind from the N. W. the Black Cat and two young Chiefs
Visit us and as usial Stay all Day the river rise one inch finish the
main bastion, our interpetr. we discover to be assumeing and
discontent'd
[Clark, December 5, 1804]
5th December Wednesday 1804
a Cold raw morning wind from the S. E. Some Snow, two of the N W.
Companey Came to See us, to let us Know they intended to Set out for
the establishment on the osinniboin River in two Days-& their party
would Consist of 5 men, Several Indians also visited us one brought
Pumpkins or Simmins as a preasent a little Snow fell in the evening at
which time the wind Shifted round to N. E.
[Clark, December 6, 1804]
Fort Mandan
6th of December Thursday 1804
The wind blew violently hard from the N, N W. with Some Snow the air
Keen and Cold. The Thermometer at 8 oClock A, M, Stood at 10 dgs. above
o--at 9 oClock a man & his Squar Came down with Some meat for the
inturpeter his dress was a par mockersons of Buffalow Skin Pr. Legins
of Goat Skin & a Buffalow robe, 14 ring of Brass on his fingers, this
metel the Mandans ar verry fond off--Cold after noon river rise 11/2
Inch to day
[Clark, December 7, 1804]
at Fort mandan
7th of December 1804, we were informed by a Chief that great numbers of
Buffalow were on the hills near us Cap Lewis with a party went out &
Killed 11three in view of our fort, The weather so excesive Cold &
wolves plenty, we only saved 5 of them, I with a party turned on the
8th out and found the Buffalow at 7 ms. distant Killed 8 & a Deer, I
returned with 2 Cows leaving men with remaining meat--Several men badly
frost bit--The Themormeter Stood this morning at 44 d. below Breizing.
Capt Lewis went out 9th & Stayed all night out Killed 9 buffalowmaney
of the Buffalow Killed were So meager that they not fit for use
Collected by the ade of Some horses the best of the meat in fact all we
could Save from wolves & I went on a hunting party the 14 & 15 of
Decr.--much Snow verry cold 52° below freesinge. N W. & H Bay Clerks
Visit us the 16th also Mr Hainey, Cold Tem. 74° below freesing