University of Virginia Library

May 16th.. Wednesday

A fair morning Set out at 5 oClk pass a remarkable Coal
Hill on the Larboard Side, Called by the French Carbonere,
this hill appear to Contain great quantity of Coal (& ore of a
  appearance
) from this hill the Village of St. Charles
may be Seen at 7 miles distance. we arrived at St. Charles at
12 oClock a number Spectators french & Indians flocked to
the bank to See the party. This Village is about one mile in
length, Situated on the North Side of the Missourie at the
foot of a hill from which it takes its name Peetiete Coete [
petite côte] or the Little hill This Village Contns. about 100 (frame)
houses, the most of them small and indefferent and about 450
inhabitents Chiefly French, those people appear Pore, polite
& harmonious. I was invited to Dine with a Mr. Ducett
[Duquet], this gentleman was once a merchant from Canadia,
from misfortunes aded to the loss of a Cargo, Sold to the late
Judge Turner he has become Somewhat reduced, he has a
Charming wife an elegent Situation on the hill Serounded by
orchards & a excellent gardain.

Course & Distance assending the Missourie the 16th. of May—

       
Course  Mls 
South   .  2 . 0 -  To a pt. on Lbd. Side 
S. 85° W. .  7 . 0 -  To the mid. of St. Charles passed
much hard water & 3 Is.ds
9 - 0