University of Virginia Library

Saturday 6th. September 1806.

The Musquetors excessively troublesom we Set out early
at the great cut off Saw a herd of Elk, we landed and Sent
out Several hunters to kill Some of the Elk, they returned
without killing any as the Elk was wild and ran off much
fritened. I sent the two Small Canoes on a head with derections
to hunt in two bottoms below, and after a delay of half
an hour proceeded on wind-hard a head at the lower point

of Pelecan Island a little above the Petite River de Seeoux we
met a tradeing boat of Mr. Og. Choteaux [Auguste Chouteau]
of St. Louis bound to the River Jacque to trade with the
Yanktons, this boat was in care of a Mr. Henry Delorn,
[Delaunay?][12] he had exposed all his loading (to dry) and sent
out five of his hands to hunt they soon arived with an Elk.
we purchased a gallon of whiskey of this man (promised to pay
Choteau who would not receive any pay) and gave to each man of
the party a dram which is the first spiritious licquor which had
been tasted by any of them since the 4 of July 1805. several
of the party exchanged leather for linen Shirts and beaver
for corse hats. Those men could inform us nothing more
than that all the troops had movd. from the Illinois and that
Genl. Wilkinson was prepareing to leave St. Louis. We advised
this trader to treat the Tetons with as much contempt as possible
and stated to him where he would be benefited by such
treatment &c &c. and at 1 P. M. set out those men gave us
2 Shots from a Swivell they had on the bow of their boat
which we returned in our turn. proceeded on about 3 miles
and came up with two of the hunters, they had not killd. any
thing. at 5 miles we over took the Canoe of the other hunters
with Shannon in it floating down, the two fields being in the
woods behind we came too on a Sand bar on the N. E. Side
and delayed all the after part of the [day] for the two Fields,
sent out 3 men to hunt in the bottom up the river and observe
if they Saw any sign of the hunters. the evening proved
cloudy and the wind blew hard two pelicans were killed to
day. we came 30 Miles only to day the 2 fieldses did not
join us I think they are below. The Chief & the Squaws
& children are awarey [a-weary] of their journey. Children
cry &c.