University of Virginia Library

[Lewis:]

Saturday April 27th. 1805

Previous to our seting out this morning I made the following
observations.

Point of observation No. 8.

                         

Suns magnetic azimuth by Circumferentor	N. 81°. E.
	h m s
Time by Chronometer A.M.	9. 27. 14.
Altitude by sextant	44°. 56′. 30″.
Sun's magnetic azimuth by Circumftr.	N. 82°. E.
	h m s
Time by Chronometer A. M.	9. 34. 29.
	° ′ ″
Altitude by Sextant	47. 22. -.
Sun's Magnetic azimuth by Circumftr.	N. 83°. E.
	h m s
Time by Chronometer. A.M.	9. 42. 17.
Altitude by Sextant	49. 56. 30.

This morning I walked through the point formed by the
junction of the rivers; the woodland extends about a mile,
when the rivers approach each other within less than half a
mile; here a beatifull level low plain commences and extends
up both rivers for many miles, widening as the rivers recede
from each other, and extending back half a mile to a plain
about 12 feet higher than itself; the low plain appears to be a
few inches higher than high water mark and of course will not
be liable to be overflown; tho' where it joins the high plain a
part of the Missouri when at it's greatest hight, passes through
a channel of 60 or 70 yards wide and falls into the yellowstone
river. on the Missouri about 2 1/2 miles from the entrance of
the yellowstone river, and between this high and low plain, a
small lake is situated about 200 yards wide extending along the
edge of the high plain parallel with the Missouri about one
mile. on the point of the high plain at the lower extremity of
this lake I think would be the most eligible site for an establishment
between this low plain and the Yellow stone river
their is an extensive body of timbered land extending up the
river for many miles. this site recommended is about 400
yards distant from the Missouri and about double that distance
from the river yellow stone; from it the high plain, rising very
gradually, extends back about three miles to the hills, and continues
with the same width between these hills and the timbered
land on the yellowstone river, up that stream, for seven or
eight miles; and is one of the ha[n]dsomest plains I ever beheld.
on the Missouri side the hills sircumscribe it's width,
& at the distance of three miles up that river from this cite, it
is not more than 400 yards wide. Capt Clark thinks that the
lower extremity of the low plane would be most eligible for
this establishment; it is true that it is much nearer both rivers,
and might answer very well, but I think it reather too low to
venture a permanent establishment, particularly if built of
brick or other durable materials, at any considerable expence;
for so capricious, and versatile are these rivers, that it is difficult
to say how long it will be, untill they direct the force of
their currents against this narrow part of the low plain, which
when they do, must shortly yeald to their influence; in

such case a few years only would be necessary, for the annihilation
of the plain, and with it the fortification.[35] I continued
my walk on shore; at 11. A. M. the wind became very hard
from N.W. insomuch that the perogues and canoes were unable
either to proceede or pass the river to me; I was under the
necessity therefore of shooting a goose and cooking it for my
dinner, the wind abated about 4. P.M. and the party proceeded
tho' I could not conveniently join them untill night,
altho' game is very abundant and gentle, we only kill as
much as is necessary for food. I believe that two good hunters
could conveniently supply a regiment with provisions, for
several days past we have observed a great number of buffaloe
lying dead on the shore, some of them entire and others partly
devoured by the wolves and bear, those anamals either
drownded during the winter in attempting to pass the river on
the ice during the winter or by swiming acr[o]ss at present to
bluff banks which they are unable to ascend, and feeling themselves
too weak to return remain and perish for the want of
food; in this situation we met with several little parties of
them, beaver are very abundant, the party kill several of them
every day. The Eagles, Magpies, and gees have their nests
in trees adjacent to each other; the magpy particularly appears
fond of building near the Eagle, as we scarcely see an Eagle's
nest unaccompanyed with two or three Magpies nests within a
short distance. The bald Eagle are more abundant here than
I ever observed them in any part of the country.

Courses and distances 27th. April 1805.

           

		Miles
N . 9°. E.	to the upper part of the timber on Lard. in the point, the same being the commencement of the low plain, at which the Missouri and yellowstone rivers are about 250 yards distant.	1.
West.	to the lower part of the timber in the bend on Lard. side	1.
N. 32. W.	to a point of the timbered bottom on Lard. opposite to a low bluff, between two points of wooded bottom 1/2 a mile distant from each other; a beautifull plain back, several high open situations, between the woodlands on the Stard. side	3
West.	to a point of small willows on the Stard. side,[36] opposite a low white bluff bordering a beautifull rising plain; some woodland below this bluff on the Lard. side, and a thick wooded bottom on Stard side, on this course the river is wide, and crouded with sandbars. a little below the low bluff on the Lard. side, a timbered bottom commences; here the country rises gradually from the river on the Lard. side	3-
		Miles 8.