University of Virginia Library

Thursday (Saturday) 14th: August 1806

Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on. when we were opposit
the Minetares Grand Village[2] we Saw a number of the

Nativs viewing of [us] we derected the Blunderbuses fired
Several times, Soon after we Came too at a Croud of the
nativs on the bank opposit the Village of the Shoe Indians or
Mah-har-haś at which place I saw the principal Chief of the
Little Village of the Menitarre & the principal Chief of the
Mah-har-has. those people were extreamly pleased to See us.
the chief of the little Village of the Menetarras cried Most
imoderately, I enquired the cause and was informed it was
for the loss of his Son who had been killed latterly by the
Blackfoot Indians. after a delay of a fiew minits I proceeded
on to the black cats (Mandan) Village on the N.E. side of the
Missouri where I intended to Encamp but the Sand blew in
Such a manner that we deturmined not to continue on that
side but return to the side we had left. here we were visited
by all the inhabitants of this village who appeared equally as
well pleased to see us as those above. I walked up to the
Black Cats village & eate some simnins with him, and Smoked
a pipe this Village I discovered had been rebuilt sin[c]e I left
it and much smaller than it was; enquiring into the cause was
informed that a quarrel had taken place and (a number of)
Lodges had removed to the opposd. Side. I had soon as I
landed despatched Shabono to the Minetarras inviting the
Chiefs to visit us, & Drewyer down to the lower Village of
the Mandans to ask Mr. Jessomme to come and enterpret for
us. Mr. Jessomme arived and I spoke to the chief of the
Village informing them that we spoke to them as we had done
when we were with them last and we now repeeted our invitation
to the principal Chiefs of all the Villages to accompany
us to the U States &c. &c. the Black Cat Chief of the Mandans,
spoke and informed me that he wished to Visit the
United States and his Great Father but was afraid of the
Scioux who were yet at war with them and had killed several
of their men since we had left them, and were on the river
below and would certainly kill him if he attempted to go down.
I indeavered to do away [with] his objections by informing
him that we would not suffer those Indians to hurt any of our
red children who should think proper to accompany us, and
on their return they would be equally protected, and their
presents which would be very liberal, with themselves, conveyed
to their own Country at the expence of the U. States
&c &c. The chief promised us some corn tomorrow. after the
Council I directed the Canoes to cross the river to a brook
opposit where we should be under the wind and in a plain
where we would be clear of musquetors &c. after crossing the
Chief of the Mah-har-has told me if I would send with him he
would let me have some corn. I directed Sergt Gass & 2 men
to accompany him to his Village, they Soon returned loaded
with Corn. the Chief and his wife also came down. I gave
his wife a fiew Needles &c The Great Chief of all the Menitarras
the one eye[3] came to camp also Several other Chiefs of
the different Villages. I assembled all the Chiefs on a leavel
Spot on the band[k] and spoke to them (see next book).[4]