University of Virginia Library

LXVII. LXVII

CONTEMPORARY NEWSPAPER NOTICES

The first newspaper notices of the return of the expedition
appear to have been based on letters from residents of St.
Louis, or others who were personally interested in the affair.
The following are excerpts from and summaries of the most
important of these notices:

Extract from letter to editors of the Baltimore Federal Gazette, under
date of St. Louis, September 23, 1806:[1]

Concerning the safe arrival of Messrs. Lewis and Clark, who went 2 years and
4 months ago to explore the Missouri, to be anxiously wished for by everyone, I
have the pleasure to mention that they arrived here about one hour ago, in good
health, with only the loss of one man who died. They visited the Pacific
Ocean, which they left on the 27th of March last. They would have been
here about the 1st of August, but for the detention they met with from snow and
frost in crossing mountains on which are eternal snows. Their journal will no
doubt be not only importantly interesting to us all, but a fortune for the worthy
and laudable adventurers. When they arrived 3 cheers were fired. They really
have the appearance of Robinson Crusoes—dressed entirely in buckskins. We
shall know all very soon—I have had no particulars yet.

Letter in the Philadelphia Register for October 28, 1806, taken from
"a Kentucky paper" of October 4:[2]

Dear Sir—Captains Lewis and Clark are just arrived, all in good health.
They left the Pacific Ocean the 23d of March last—they wintered there.

They arrived there in last November; there was some American vessels there
just before their arrival. They had to pack one hundred and sixty miles from
the head of the Missouri to Columbia river.—One of the hands, an intelligent
man, tells me that Indians are as numerous on Columbia as the whites are in any
part of the U States—They brought but one family of Indians, of the Mandan
nation. They have brought several curiosities with them from the ocean. The
Indians are represented as being very peaceable. The winter was very mild on
the Pacific.

Extract from "a letter from a gentleman at St. Charles, to a gentleman
in this town, dated 23d September, 1806," in the Frankfort (Ky.)
Palladium for October 9, 1806:[3]

I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of Captains Lewis and Clark.

They were the first white people that ever visited that country. By the best
accounts they could get there are about ninety or one hundred thousand inhabitants,
(Indians) on the west side of the Rocky mountains; horses without number.
It Is thought to be a very poor Indian that did not own 300 horses. Not
an iron tool among them.—They erected a fort on the sea shore and engraved
their names. They have a number of curiosities; among which is a wild sheep;
its head and horns weigh about 80 or 90 pounds. He was caught on the Rocky
Mountains.

Summary of official report, in the National Intelligencer for October
27, 1806:[4]

It is a pleasure to announce the arrival of Captain Lewis with his exploring
party at St. Louis. They wintered near the mouth of the Columbia river;
leaving thence Mar. 27, were detained by snows in the mountains until June 24.
He found it 2575 miles from the mouth of Missouri to the great falls; thence by
land over the Rocky mountains 340 miles, of which 200 would admit a good
road, the rest over tremendous mountains. Then 73 miles down the Kooskooske
into a south eastwardly branch of the Columbia, 154 miles down that to the
Columbia, and then 413 miles to the Pacific; 3555 miles in all. Speaks of the
whole country furnishing valuable furs. Says it was fortunate he sent no men
back, since they owed their lives more than once to their numbers. Captain
Lewis will remain a few days in St. Louis, and then proceed to Washington accompanied
by the Mandan chief. He speaks of his colleague Captain Clark in
the most affectionate terms, and ascribes to him an equal share in the success of
this enterprise.

Summary of article from the New York Gazette:[5]

Have lately been told that Mr. Lewis and party passed last winter near mouth
of Columbia, this is in lat. 46, 19′ N. and long. 123°, 38′ W. from London; it
was named by Captain Gray in 1791 or '92, for his ship, and the southern cape
for the late president Adams. The bay is some miles broad and 20 or 30 long;
the tide rises 12 feet at the mouth of the river, but the current is so strong it does
not run up it more than 60 miles. The river and its tributary streams abound in
salmon. The timber is pine, maple, ash, poplar, and oak. The natives are
badly armed, though some have copper swords.

The head of Columbia river lies south of the 45th degree; the distance from
the mouth of the Missouri to that of the Columbia is 1440 miles in a direct
course, which will probably never be travelled.

Letter in the Philadelphia Aurora, December 22, 1806:

Captain Lewis arrived at this place on Thursday last, and on Saturday morning
proceeded on his journey to the city of Washington, by way of the old wilderness
road. He was accompanied by the chief of the Mandane Indians; and a
party of the Osages. Mr. Choteau, with the latter, took their route through
Lexington.

Note in the Philadelphia Aurora, December 24, 1806:

Mr. Choteau with a party of the Osage Indians has arrived in Washington.
Captain Lewis, accompanied by the Mandane chief is also expected every day.

Note in Relf's Philadephia Gazette and Daily Advertiser, January
5, 1807:

Captain Lewis and the Indians who came with him on his return from the
Pacific, were, it is said, at the President's levee day.