[Clark, October 29, 1804]
29th of October 1804 a fine morning after Brackfast we were
Visited by the Old Chief of the Big Bellies or me ne tar res,
this Man has Given his power to his Son who is now on a war
party against the Snake Indians who inhabit the Rockey
Mountains, the S W wind verry high- we met in Council under
an orning and our Sales Stretched round to keep out as much
wind as possible & Delivered a long Speach Similar to what
had been Said to the nations below, the old Chief was
restless before the Speech was half ended, observed his Camp
was exposed & could wait no longer &c. at the Conclusion of
the Speach we mentioned the Ricaras & requested them to make
a peace & Smoke out of the Sacred Stem with their Chief
which I intreduced and gave him the pipe of peace to hand
around, they all Smoked with eagerness out of the pipe held
by the Ricara Chief Ar-ke-tar-na-Shar we mentioned our hands
that were to be discharged here, also the roberrey commited
on th 2 french men below, & requested them to answere us
tomorrow, gave the Chief Small preasents and a fiew presents
for each village Shot the air gun which both Surprised and
astonished the nativs, and Soon dispersed
our Ricara Chief Came told me he wished to return to his
nation tomorrow I put him off & Said we would Send a talk by
him after the Chiefs had Spoken to us- we gave a Steel mill
to the mandans which was verry pleasing to them
The Chief who recved Medals to Day are as follows viz-in
Council
is Mandan village Ma-too-ton kai s Chief Sha-ha-ka Big White
2nd Ka-goh-ha-me little Crows
2 do village Roop tar-hee
1 s & grand Chief Poss-cop-sa-he Black Cat
2d Chief Car-gar-no-mok-she raven man Chief
Mah har-ha village
is Chief Ta-tuck-co pin re has, white Buffalow Skin unfolded
Little Menetarre village
is Chief Omp-Se-ha-ra Black mockerson. 2d Chief Oh-hark
little Fox.
The Grand village of Manetarres, The One Eye is the
principal Chief and he is out on a hunting party. we Send by
the Grape all the articles for this grand Chief and all the
Village what goods was intended for that Village- The Prarie
got on fire and went with Such Violenc & Speed as to Catch a
man & woman & burn them to Death, Several escapd. among
other a Small boy who was Saved by getting under a green
Buffalow Skin, this boy was half white, & the Indians Say
all white flesh is medisan, they Say the grass was not burnt
where the boy Sat &c. &. this fire passed us at 8 oClock,
and lookd truly tremendious.
[Clark, October 29, 1804]
29th October Monday 1804 a fair fine morning after Brackfast
we were visited by the old Cheaf of the Big bellies or ____
this man was old and had transfered his power to his Sun,
who was then out at war against the Snake Indians who
inhabit the rockey mountains- at 10 oClock the S W. wind
rose verry high, we Collected the Chiefs and Commened a
Council ounder a Orning and our Sales Stretched around to
Keep out as much wind as possible, we delivered a long
Speech the Substance of which Similer to what we had
Delivered to the nations below. the old Chief of the
Grossanters was verry restless before the Speech was half
ended observed that he Could not wait long that his Camp was
exposed to the hostile Indians, &c. &. he was rebuked by one
of the Chiefs for his uneasiness at Such a time as the
present, we at the end of the Speech mentioned the Ricare
who Accompanied us to make a firm peace, they all Smoked
with him (I gave this Cheaf a Dollar of the American Coin as
a Meadel with which he was much pleased) In Councel we
prosented him with a Certificate of his Sincrrity and good
Conduct &c. we also Spoke about the fur which was taken from
2 french men by a Mandan, and informd of our intentions of
Sending back the french hands- after the Council we gave the
presents with much Seremoney, and put the Meadels on the
Cheifs we intended to make viz. one for each Town to whome
we gave Coats hats & flags, one Grand Cheif to each nation
to whome we gave meadels with the presidents likeness in
Councel we requested them to give us an answer tomorrow or
as Soon as possible to Some points which required their
Deliberation-after the Council was over we Shot the Air gun
which appeared to assonish the nativs much, the greater part
them retired Soon after
The Ricare Cheaf Ar-ke-tar-na-shar Came to me this evening
and tells me that he wishes to return to his Village &
nation, I put him off Saying tomorrow we would have an
answer, to our talk to the Satisfaction & Send by him a
String of wompom informing what had passed here. a Iron or
Steel Corn Mill which we gave to the Mandins, was verry
Thankfully recived- (rte The Prarie was Set on fire (or
Cought by accident) by a young man of the Mandins, the fire
went with Such velocity that it burnt to death a man and
woman, who Could not Get to any place of Safty, one man a
woman & Child much burnt and Several narrowly escaped the
flame- a boy half white was Saved un hurt in the midst of
the flaim, Those ignerent people Say this boy was Saved by
the great Spirit medisin because he was white- The Cause of
his being Saved was a Green buffalow Skin was thrown over
him by his mother who perhaps had more fore Sight for the
pertection of her Son, and less for herself than those who
escaped the flame, the Fire did not burn under the Skin
leaving the grass round the boy This fire passed our Camp
last about 8 oClock P.M. it went with great rapitidity and
looked Tremendious
The following Chiefs were made in Councel to day
Mar-too-ton-ha or Lower Village of the Mandans
1st Cheif Sha-ha-ka or Big White
2 do Ka-goh-ha-mi or Little raven
Roop-tar-hee or Second Village of the Mandans
1st and Grand Cheif-Pass-cop-sa-he or black Cat
2nd Cheif Car-gar-no-mok-She raven man Cheaf
Mah-har-ha 3rd Village
Chief Ta-tuck-co-pin-re-ha (white Buffalow robe unfolded)
Me-ne-tar-re Me-te har-tar
1st Cheif-Omp-se-ha-ra. Black Mockersons
2 do. Oh-harh or Little fox
we Sent the presents intended for the Grand Chief of the Mi-ne-tar-re
or Big Belley, and the presents flag and wompoms by the Old
Chief and those, and those intended for the Cheif of the
Lower Village by a young Cheif
The following Cheifs were recommended in addition to those
Viz.
1st Village
Oh-hee-nar Big Man- a Chien
Sho-ta-har ro-ra
2d Village
Taw nish-e-o- Bel-lar sa ra
Ar-rat-ta na-mock-She- Wolf Man Chief
3rd Village
Min-nis-Sur-ra-ree (Neighing horse)
Lo-tong-gar-ti har- old woman at a distance
4th Village
Mar-noh-tah the big Steeler
Man-se-rus-se- tale of Callumet bird
5th Village
Ad hako ho pin nee Little Wolfs medisons
Ar-rat-toe-no mook-gu (man wolf Chief) (at war)
Cal-tar co ta- (Cherry grows on a bush) old Chief and father
to the above mentd.
Chief Maw-pah'-pir-re-cos-sa too- This chief is near this
hunting and a verry Considerable man
To the 1st Chiefs we gave a medal with the Imp. of the
President of the U S.
To the 2d Chiefs a medal of weaveing & Domestic animals.
To the 3rd Chiefs a medal with the impression of a man
Sowing wheat.
4th Village
1 Ea pa no pa- Two taled Calumet bird young Chief
2 War he ras sa the red Shield young Chief of Big belley-big
town
[Clark, October 30, 1804]
30th of October Tuesday 1804 many Indian Chief visit us
today I went in th Perogou to the Island 7 miles above to
look out a proper place for to winter, it being near the tim
the ice begins to run at this place, and the Countrey after
a few leagues high is Said to be barron of timber, I found
no place Soutable, & we concluded to drop down to th next
point below & build a fort to winter in the Party Danced
which Delited the Indians.
[Clark, October 30, 1804]
30th October Tuesday 1804 Two Chiefs came to have Some talk
one the princapal of the lower Village the other the one who
thought himself the principal mane, & requested to hear Some
of the Speech that was Delivered yesterday they were
gratified, and we put the medal on the neck of the Big White
to whome we had Sent Clothes yesterday & a flag, those men
did not return from hunting in time to join the Counell,
they were well pleased (2d of those is a Chien) I took 8 men
in a Small perogue and went up the river as far as the 1st
Island about 7 miles to See if a Situation Could be got on
it for our Winter quarters, found the wood on the Isd. as
also on the pt. above So Distant from the water that, I did
not think that we Could get a good wintering ground there,
and as all the white men here informed us that wood was
Sceres, as well as game above, we Deturmined to drop down a
fiew miles near wood and game on my return found maney Inds.
at our Camp, gave the party a dram, they Danced as is verry
Comn. in the evening which pleased the Savages much. Wind S.
E
[Clark, October 30, 1804]
Mandans
Ka gar no mogh ge the 2d Chief of the 2d Village of Mandins
Came the 30t of Octr. and Spoke to us as follows. Viz
Will you be So good as to go to the Village the Grand Chief
will Speek & give Some Corn, if you will let Some men take
bags it will be well. I am going with, the Chief of the
ricares to Smoke a pipe with that nation- I concluded to go
down
Mockerson Indians
The principal Chief of the Wau to Soon Came and Spoke a fiew
words on Various Subjects not much to the purpose. we Smoked
and after my Shooting the air gun he departed, Those nations
know nothing of reagular Councils, and know not how to
proceed in them, they are restless &c-
[Clark, October 31, 1804]
31st of October Wednesday 1804 The main Chief of the mandans
Sent 2 Cheifs for to envite us to Come to his Lodge, and
here what he has to Say I with 2 interpetes walked down, and
with great Cerimony was Seated on a Robe by the Side of the
Chief; he threw a Robe highly decoraterd over my Sholders,
and after Smokeing a pipe with the old men in the Circle,
the Chief Spoke he belived all we had told him, and that
peace would be genl. which not only gave himself
Satisfaction but all his people; they now Could hunt without
fear & their women could work in the fields without looking
every moment for the ememey, as to the Ricaras addressing
himself to the Chief with me you know we do not wish war
with your nation, you have brought it on your Selves, that
man Pointing to the 2d Chief and those 2 young warriers will
go with you & Smoke in the pipes of peace with the Ricaras-
I will let you see my father addressing me that we wish to
be at peace with all and do not make war upon any- he
continud to Speak in this Stile (refer to notes) he
delivered 2 of the Traps to me which was taken from the
french men, gave me 2 bushels of Corn, I answered the Speech
which appeared to give general Satisfactionand returned to
the boat, In the evening the Chief Visited us Dressed in his
new Suit, &delayed untill late the men Dancd untill 10
oClock which was common with them wrote to the N W Copanys
agent on the Ossinniboin River by a Mr. McCruckin.
[Clark, October 31, 1804]
31st of October Wednesday 1804 a fine morning, the Chief of
the Mandans Sent a 2d Chief to invite us to his Lodge to
recive Some Corn & here what he had to Say I walked down and
with great ceremoney was Seeted on a roab by the Side of the
Chief, he threw a handsom Roabe over me and after smokeing
the pipe with Several old men arround, the Chief Spoke Said
he believed what we had told them, and that peace would be
general, which not only gave him Satisfaction but all his
people, they now Could hunt without fear, & ther womin Could
work in the fields without looking everry moment for the
Enemey, and put off their mockersons at night, as to the
Reares we will Show you that we wish peace with all, and do
not make war on any without Cause, that Chief pointing to
the 2d and Some brave men will accompy. the Ricare Chief now
with you to his village & nation, to Smoke with that people,
when you Came up the Indians in the neighbouring Villages,
as well as those out hunting when they heard of you had
great expectations of reciving presents they those hunting
imediately on hearing returned to the Village and all was
Disapointed, and Some Dessatisfied, as to himself he was not
much So but his Village was- he would go and See his great
father &c. &c.
he had put before me 2 of the Steel traps which was robed
from the french a Short tim ago. about 12 bushels of Corn
which was brought and put before me by the womin of the
Village after the Chief finished & Smoked in great cerrimony,
I answered the Speech which Satisfied them verry much and
returned to the boat. met the princapal Chief of the 3d
Village and the Little Crow both of which I invited into the
Cabin and Smoked & talked with for about one hour. Soon
after those Chiefs left us the Grand Chief of the Mandans
Came Dressed in the Clothes we had given with his 2 Small
Suns, and requested to See the men Dance which they verry
readily gratified him in,- the wind blew hard all the after
part of the day from the N E and Continud all night to blow
hard from that point, in the mornig it Shifed N W. Capt
Lewis wrote to the N W Companys agent on the Orsineboine
River abt. North of this place
[Clark, October 31, 1804]
black Cat or Pose-cop-sa-he 1st Chief of the Mandans & 2d
Village
"I believe what you have told us in Council, & that peace
will be general, which not only givs me pleasure, but
Satisfaction to all the nation, they now Can hunt without
fear, and our womin Can work in the fields without looking
every moment for the enimey-" as to the Ricares we will Show
you that we wish piace with all, and do not make war on any
with out Cause, that Chief pointing to the 2d of the Village
and Some young men will accompany the Ricrea Chief home to
his Nation to Smoke with that people- When the Indians of
the Different Villages heard of your Comeing up they all
Came in from hunting to See, they expected Great presents.
they were disapointed, and Some dissatisfied-as to my Self I
am not much So, but my Village are- he believed the roade
was open; and he would go and See his great father- he
Delivered Up 2 Traps which had been taken from the french, &
gave me a roabe & about 12 bushels of Corn- & smoked &c
I answered the Speech it explained, many parts which he
Could not understand-of the Speech of yesterday.
[Lewis, October 31, 1804]
Wednesday October 31st 1804. The river being very low and
the season so far advanced that it frequently shuts up with
ice in this climate we determined to spend the Winter in
this neighbourhood, accordingly Capt. Clark with a party of
men reconnoitred the countrey for some miles above our
encampment; he returned in the evening without having
succeed in finding an eligible situation for our purpose.-
[Clark, November 1, 1804]
1 November 1804 Visited by Several Chiefs of the lower
Village who requested we would call on them &c. Spoke to the
Same purpote with the Grand Chief. we Set out in the evening
& I with the Party droped down to the place we intended to
winter & Cap Lewis called at the Village 3 miles above &. &.
[Clark, November 1, 1804]
1st of November Thursday 1804 the wind hard from the N W.
Mr. McCrackin a Trader Set out at 7 oClock to the fort on
the Ossiniboin by him Send a letter, (incloseing a Copy of
the British Ministers protection) to the principal agent of
the Company- at about 10 OClock the Cheifs of the Lower
Village Cam and after a Short time informed us they wished
they would us to call at their village & take Some Corn,
that they would make peace with the Ricares they never made
war against them but after the rees Killed their Chiefs they
killed them like the birds, and were tired and would Send a
Chief and Some brave men to the Ricares to Smoke with that
people in the evening we Set out and fell down to the lower
Village where Capt. Lewis got out and continud at the
Village untill after night I proceeded on & landed on the S.
S. at the upper point of the 1st Timber on the Starboard
Side after landing & Continuinge- all night droped down to a
proper place to build Capt Lewis Came down after night, and
informed me he intended to return the next morning by the
perticular Request of the Chiefs.
We passed the Villages on our Decent in veiw of Great
numbers of the inhabitents
[Clark, November 1, 1804]
The 1st of Novr. Mandins is Village the Main Chief Big White
& 2 others i e the Big Man or Sha-ha-ca and ____ Came early
to talk, and Spoke as follows, after Smoking, Viz.
Is it Certain that the ricares intend to make good with us
our wish is to be at peace with all, we will Send a Chief
with the pania Chief and Some young men to Smoke and make
good peace-? are you going to Stay abov or below this Cold.-
answer by C. L We are going down a few miles to look a place
we can find no place abov proper.
The panias know's we do not begin the war, they allway
begin, we Sent a Chief and a pipe to the Pania to Smoke and
they killed them-, we have killed enough of them we kill
them like the birds, we do not wish to kill more, we will,
make a good peace
We were Sorry when we heard of your going up but now you are
going down, we are glad, if we eat you Shall eat, if we
Starve you must Starve also, our village is too far to bring
the Corn to you, but we hope you will Call on us as you pass
to the place you intend to Stop
C L answered the above-
[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-
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806