[Clark, August 13, 1804]
13th of August Munday 1804. - Set out this morning at Day
light the usial time and proceeded on under a gentle Breeze
from the S. E. passed the Island.
From this Fish Camp the River is N 55° West as far as Can be
Seen, the Sand bar only changeing the Derection of the
Current the Hills leave the river on the L. Side
[Clark, August 13, 1804]
August 13th Monday 1804 - Set out this morning at Light the
usial time and proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the S
E
[Clark, August 14, 1804]
14th of August at 12 oClock - the Party Sent yesterday to
the Towns returned, and informed that they Could not find
any Indians, they had not returned from hunting the Buffalow
in the Praries, wind Shifted to the N W. Our party Sent
after the Deserter and to the Otteau towns, have not Came up
as yet
The Situation of this Village, now in ruins Siround by
enunbl. hosts of grave the ravages of the Small Pox (4 years
ago) they follow the Buf. and tend no Corn
[Clark, August 14, 1804]
14th August Tuesday 1804 - a fine morning wind from the S E
The men Sent to the Mahar Town last evening has not returned
we Conclude to Send a Spye to Know the cause of Their delay
at about 12 oClock the Party returned and in-formed. us that
they Could not find the Indians nor any fresh Sign, those
people have not returned from their Buffalow hunt, Those
people haveing no houses no Corn or any thing more than the
graves of their ancesters to attach them to the old Village,
Continue in pursuite of the Buffalow longer than others who
had greater attachments to their native Villagethe ravages
of the Small Pox (which Swept off 400 men & women & Children
in perpoposion) has reduced this Nation not exceeding 300
men and left them to the insults of their weaker neighbours
which before was glad to be on friendly turms with them- I
am told whin this fatal malady was among them they Carried
ther franzey to verry extroadinary length, not only of
burning their Village, but they put their wives & Children
to Death with a view of their all going together to Some
better Countrey- They burry their Dead on the tops of high
hills and rais mounds on the top of them,- The cause or way
those people took the Small Pox is uncertain, the most
Probable from Some other Nation by means of a warparty
Observed Time and Distance of the Sun & Moon the Moon East
the 13th of August Monday 1804, three Miles NE of the Mahars
old village at Fish Camp-
[Clark, August 15, 1804]
August 15th Wendesday - I took ten men & went out to Beaver
Dam across a Creek about a mile S W from Camp, and with a
Brush Drag caught 308 fish, of the following kind (i'e)
Pike, Samon, Bass, Pirch, Red horse, Small Cat, & a kind of
Perch Called on the Ohio Silverfish I also Caught the Srimp
which is Common to the Lower part of the Mississippi, in
this Creek & in the Beaver Pond is emince beads of Mustles
Verry large & fat- in my absence Capt Lewis Send the Souex
interpr & a party to a Smoke which appeared to rise at no
great distance to the north with a view to find Some Band of
that nation, they returned and informed that they had been
made Some time by Some Small party, and the hard wind of to
day had set the Prarie on fire from Some high trees, which
was left burning all well, Party from Ottoes not come up.
Camp three Miles N. E of the Mahar Village
[Clark, August 15, 1804]
August 15th Wednesday 1804 - I went with ten men to a Creek
Damed by the Beavers about half way to the Village, with
Some Small willow & Bark we mad a Drag and haulted up the
Creek, and Cought 318 fish of different kind i'e Peke, Bass,
Salmon, perch, red horse, Small Cat, and a kind of perch
Called Silverfish, on the Ohio.- I cought a Srimp prosisely
of Shape Size & flavour of those about N. Orleans & the
lower party of the Mississippi in this Creek which is only
the pass or Streight from Beaver Pond to another, is Crouded
with large Mustles Verry fat, Ducks, Pliver of different
Kinds are on those Ponds as well as on the river in My
absence Capt. Lewis Sent Mr. Durioue the Souix interpeter &
three men to examine a fire which threw up an emence Smoke
from the Praries on the N. E. Side of the River and at no
great distance from Camp- the Object of this party was to
find Some Bands of Seouex which the inptr. thought was near
the Smoke and get them to Come in- in the evening this Party
returned and infoermed, that the fire arrose from Some trees
which had been left burning by a Small party of Seoux whom
had passed Several Days- the wind Setting from that point,
blew the Smoke from that pt. over our Camp. our party all in
health and Sperrits the men Sent to the Ottoes & in pursute
of the Deserter Reed has not yet returned or joined our
party.
[Clark, August 16, 1804]
Aug. 16th 1804 - a Verry cool morning the winds as usial
from the N W. Capt Lewis with men went out to the Creek &
Pond & Caught about 800 fine fish with a Bush Drag of the
following kind i.e. 79 Pike, 8 Salmon, 1 Rock, 1 flat Back,
127 Buffalow & readHorse, 4 Bass & 490 Cat, with many Small
& large Silver fish,- I had a mast made & fixed to day The
Party Sent to the Ottoes not yet arrived. the wind Shifted
around to the S E. the night's are Cool & a Breeze rises
after generally; Sometimes before night which Blows off the
Musquitors cools the atmospere.
[Clark, August 16, 1804]
16th August Thursday 1804 - Fishing Camp 3 ms. N. E. of the
Mahars. a verry cool morning the wind as usial from the N W.
Capt Lewis took 12 men & went to the Pond & Crek between
Camp and the old Village and Cought upwards of Boo fine
fish, 79 Pike, 8 Salmon, 1 Rock,flat Back, 127 Buffalow &
red horse 4 Bass & 490 Catt. with many Small Silver fish I
had a Mast made &fixed to the Boat to day, the Party Sent to
the Ottoes not yet joined us- the wind Shifted arround to
the S. E. everry evening a Breeze rises which blows off the
Musquitors & Cools the atmispeire.
[Clark, August 17, 1804]
17th August 1804. - a fine morning Wind from the S. E. I
will here annex the Latds & Distances of the Different
notable placies from the River Dubois or Mouth up.
The Longitudes are not yet Calculated, We must be at this
time about 99° 45' 00" West of Greenwich- I Collected a
grass much resembling wheet with a grain like Rye, much
fuller of grain, one like Rye & one like Barley Grass Small,
a Grass like Timothey except the Seed which is on branches
from the main Stalk-
Late this evening one of the party Sent after the deserters
returned & joined us, he left the party 3 miles back, they
cought both Deserters, one of them La liberty, got away from
them, the Great Chief & 2nd Chief of the ottoes accompaned
the Party with a view to bring about a Peice between
themselves & the Mahar a great missfortune that the Mahars
have not returned from the hunt- Sent & fiered the Prarie
near Camp to bring in the Mahars & Souex if any are near. a
Cool evening, 2 Beever Cought
[Clark, August 17, 1804]
17th August Friday 1804. - a fine Morning the wind from the
S. E. I collected a grass much resembling wheat in its
grouth the grain like Rye, also Some resembling Rye & Barly.
a kind of Timothey, the Seed of which branches from the main
Stalk & is more like flax Seed than that of a Timothey
at 6 oClock this evening Labieche one of the Party Sent to
the Ottoes joined, and informed that the Party was behind
with one of the Deserters M B. Reed and the 3 principal
Chiefs of the Nations- La Liberty they cought but he decived
them and got away- the object of those Chiefs comeing
forward is to make a peace with the Mahars thro us-. as the
Mahars are not at home this great object cannot be
accomplished at this time Set the Praries on fire to bring
the Mahars & Soues if any were near, this being the usial
Signal.
a Cool evining two Beaver Cought to day.
[Clark, August 18, 1804]
18th August 1804 - a fine morning, despatched Jo. Fields for
the Party from the Ottoes, whom did not Come up last night
Wind from the S. E. (Panies returned from their hunt, the
12th of August) in the after Part of the Day the Party
arrived, we had a Short talk after which we gave them
Provisions to eate & proceeded to the trial of Reed, he
confessed, & we Sentenced him only to run the Ganelet four
times thro the Detachment & party, and not to be considered
in the future as one of the Permonant Party, after the
Punihment of about 500 Lashes, at night we had Some talk
with the Chiefs about the Cause of War between them and the
Mahars. posponed the further consultation untill tomorrow.
had a Dance which lasted untile 11 oClock, the Close of Cap
Lewis Birthday. a fine evening wind S. E
Sent to the Towns, i e Reiubin Fields Will. Brattin G.
Drewyer & W Labieche.
[Clark, August 18, 1804]
18th August Satday 1804 - a fine morning. Wind from the S.
E. in the after part of the Day the Party with the Indians
arrivd. we meet them under a Shade near the Boat and after a
Short talk we gave them Provisions to eat & proceeded to the
trail of Reed, he Confessed that he "Deserted & Stold a
public Rifle Shot-pouch Powder & Bals" and requested we
would be as favourable with him as we Could consistantly
with our Oathes-which we were and 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 representation, & explang. the Customs of our
Countrey they were all Satisfied with the propriety of the
Sentence & was witness to the punishment. after which we had
Some talk with the Chiefs about the orrigan of the war
between them & the Mahars &c. &c.- it commenced in this way
i'e' in two of the Missouries Tribe resideing with the
Ottoes went to the Mahars to Steel horses, they Killed them
both which was a cause of revenge on the part of the
Missouris & Ottoes, they also brought war on themselves
Nearly in the Same way with the Panea Loups and they are
greatly in fear of a just revenge from the Panies for
takeing their Corn from the Pania Towns in their absence
hunting this Summer.
the evening was Closed with an extra Gill of Whiskey & a
Dance untill 11 oClock.
[Clark, August 19, 1804]
19th of August Sunday 1804 - a fine morning wind from the S.
E I prepd. a present from the Chiefs & Warriers, the main
Chief Brack fast with us naked; & beged for a Sun glass.- at
10 oClock we assembled the Cheifs & Warriers under an Orning
and delivered a Speech, explanitary of the One Sent to this
Nation from the Council Bluff, &c. &c.-
Children When we Sent the 4 men to your towns, we expected
to See & Speake with the Mahas by the time you would arrive
and to lay the foundation of a peace between you and them
The Speech of Petieit Villeu Little Thief, If you think
right and Can waite untill all our Warriers Come from the
Buffalows hunt, we Can then tell you who is our men of
Consequnce- My fathers always lived with the father of the B
together & we always live with the Big hose-all the men here
are the Suns of Chief and will be glad to get Something from
the hands of their fathers.- My father always directed me to
be friendly with the white people, I have always done So and
went often to the french, give my party pieces of Paper & we
will be glad- The names
a Meddel to Car ka pa ha or Crow's head
a Comsi or Cfte. Sar na no ne or Iron Eyes
a Ottoe approves & says he is Brave
Nee Swor un ja Big ax
a Ottoe approves
Star gra hun ja Big blue Eyes
a Ottoe Delivers up his comm
Ne ca sa wa-Black Cat
a Missouris approves the Council & he wants paper for his
men at home, he after wards came & petitioned for his Paper
War-sar sha co-Brave Man
aproves
The Speach of the Big Horse I went to the hunt Buffalow I
heard your word and I returned, I and all my men with me
will attend to your wordsyou want to make peace with all, I
want to make peace also, the young men when they want to go
to war where is the goods you give me to Keep them at home,
if you give me Some Whisky to give a Drop to my men at home.
I came here naked and must return home naked. if I have
Something to give the young men I can prevent their going to
war. You want to make peace with all, It is good we want
Something to give my men at home. I am a pore man, and cant
quiet without means, a Spoon ful of your milk will quiet
all.
2nd Speech of the Little Thief I want Mr. Faufon & Mr. La
bieche to make a piece with the Panies Loups. I want William
to go & make a piece with the Loups, he can Speake english &
will doe will to go.- refused that William LaBiech shall
accompany Faufon
Those people were not well Satisfied with the Presents given
them, they were much Surprised at the air gun and Several
curiosities which were Shown them none more than the magnet,
those people became extreemly troublesom to us begging
Whisky & little articles. Sergt. Floyd was taken violently
bad with the Beliose Cholick and is dangerously ill we
attempt in Vain to releive him, I am much concerned for his
Situation-we could get nothing to Stay on his Stomach a
moment nature appear exosting fast in him every man is
attentive to him york prlly
[Clark, August 19, 1804]
19th August Sunday 1804 - a find morning wind from the S. E.
prepared a Small Present for the Cheifs and warriers
present. the main Cheif Brackfast with us, & beged for a Sun
glass, those People are all naked, Covered only with Breech
Clouts Blankits or Buffalow Roabes, the flesh Side Painted
of Differant Colours & figures. At 10 oClock we assembled
the Chiefs & warriers 9 in number under an orning, and we
explained the Speech Sent to the nation from the Council
Bluffs by Mr. Faufon. The 3 Chiefs and all the men or
warriers made Short Speeches approveing the advice & Council
their great father had Sent them, and Concluded by giveing
themselves Some Credit for their acts.
We then brought out the presents and exchanged the Big
horses Meadel & gave him one equal to the one Sent to the
Little Thief & gave all Some Small articls & 8 Carrots of
Tobacco, we gave one Small Meadel to one of the Cheifs & a
Sertificate to the others of their good intentions.
Names
The Little Theif Grd. Cheif I have mentioned before
The Big horse
Crows Head (or) Kar Ka paha - Missory
Black Cat (or) Ne ma Sa wa - do
Iron Eyes (or) Sar na no no - Ottoe
Big ax (or) Nee Swar Un ja - do
Big Blue Eyes - Star gea Hun ja - do
Brave Man (or) War Sar Sha co
One of those Indians after reciving his Certificate delivd.
it again to me the Big blue eyes the Chief petitioned for
the Ctft. again, we would not give the Certft. but rebuked
them verry roughly for haveing in object goods and not peace
with their neighbours- this language they did not like at
first, but at length all petitioned for us to give back the
Certificate to the Big blu eyes he came forward and made a
plausible excuse, I then gave the Certificate the Great
Cheif to bestow it to the most Worthey, they gave it to him,
we then gave them a ,Dram & broke up the Council, the Chiefs
requested we would not leave them this evening. we deturmed
to Set out early in the morning we Showed them many
Curiosities and the air gun which they were much asstonished
at. those people beged much for wishey- Serjeant Floyd is
taken verry bad all at one with a Beliose Chorlick we
attempt to relieve him without Success as yet, he gets
wordse and we are muc allarmed at his Situation, all
attention to him.
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806