Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 printed from the original manuscripts in the library of the American Philosophical Society and by direction of its committee on historical documents |
Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | ||
III. The Books and Papers as Arranged.
I have gone very carefully through these precious manuscripts, and
arranged them in what appears to be their natural sequence or logical
order. All the red books, making the bulk of the collection, fall easily
together, preceded by two of the small marble books and by the brown
book, followed by the other two small marble books, and the set of
bound volumes is interspersed with the twelve parcels of unbound manuscripts
which I have made up from the loose sheets, securely fastened
writing paper. I have also paginated the whole of the manuscripts,
which can now be cited by codex and page throughout, as if by volume
and page of a published work. There are in all upward of 2,000 pages.
Description in detail of the now thirty (30) codices here follows:
One of the four small marbled cover books. Biddle deposit No. 1.
* * * * * * * *
Clark's original No. 1. In good order. Folios 92, pages 184. Being Clark's
journal, complete, from May 13, 1804, to Aug. 14, 1804. This takes the expedition
from the 1803–4 winter camp on Du Bois or Wood River up the Missouri
to the creek on which the Omahas resided (to p. 44, vol. i, of the printed
text).Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number; collate with Clark
* * * * * * * *
Codex A. In good order. Folios 4, loose, torn from a book like one of the
red books; 5 ½ pages written. Being Lewis's journal, of dates May 20 and 15,
1804, covering starting of the expedition, which Lewis joined at St. Charles
on the 20th.One of the small marbled cover books. Biddle deposit No. 2.
* * * * * * * *
Clark's original No. 2. In good order. Folios 90, pages 180, counting front
flyleaf; one leaf and the flyleaf gone at end, but no break in the MS., which
continues on from p. 180 to inside of cover. Being Clark's journal, complete,
from Aug. 15, 1804, to Oct. 3, 1804. This takes the expedition from the
creek on which the Omahas resided to next day beyond Caution Island (pp. 44–97
of vol. i, of the printed text).Fragment, torn from a book like one of the red books. Biddle
* * * * * * * *
deposit. No number; collate with Clark Codex B. In fair order; some corners
gone; loose folios 4, pages 7 ½ written. Being Lewis's journal, Sept. 16 and
17, 1804, when the expedition was at Corvus Creek.The brown leather cover book above described, and which may be
* * * * * * * *
also known as "The Mandan Codex." Biddle deposit No. 3. Clark's No. 3.
Biddle's No. 3. In perfect order. Folios 137, pages 274, and inside of both
covers written over. Being Clark's journal, complete, traversing dates Oct. 1–3,
1804, from Codex B, then of dates Oct. 4, 1804, to April 7, 1805, when the
expedition left Fort Mandan; Lewis enters Feb. 3–13, 1805, when Clark was
away on a hunt; another hand invoices, etc. This journal covers route from
Cheyenne River to the Mandans, and residence there.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
Biddle's No. 4. In perfect order. Cover clean and scarcely warped. Folios
70, pages 140, besides two flyleaves marbled one side like inside of covers; there416
should be folios 76, pages 152, but several leaves are torn out at end (these are
preserved, being now part of Codex Fe, which see). This is Lewis's journal,
complete, April 7, 1805, to May 23, 1805, from the Mandans to a little above
Musselshell River, and corresponding with dates to Biddle's pp. 177–226 of
vol. i; but the printed text follows mainly a Clark journal I have not found.[6]One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
Biddle's No. 5. In perfect order inside, brass clasp gone, covers clean, one of
them creased crosswise. Folios 78, pages 156, and both marbled flyleaves written
over one side. Being Lewis's journal, complete, pp. 1–156, and both flies,
May 24, 1805, to July 16, 1805, carrying the expedition from North Mountain
Creek to the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, followed in the Biddle text, mainly,
pp. 226–303 of vol. i.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
Biddle's No. 6. In perfect order inside and out, except brass clasp gone. Folios
76, pages 152, and one side of both marbled flyleaves written over = pages 154;
p. 153, on back fly, continued as p. 154 on front fly. Being Lewis's journal,
complete and intact, July 17, 1805, to Aug. 22, 1805 (except Aug. 1–4), carrying
the expedition from the Gates to the Three Forks of the Missouri, thence
up Jefferson River and over the Rocky Mountains to the Shoshone village; corresponding
to pp. 303–398 of vol. i, of the Biddle text.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
Folios 4, pages 8, loose sheets, written over 6 ½ pages, same paper as one of the
red books. Being Lewis's journal, Aug. 1–4, 1805, but merely another narrative
of those days, already fully written up at pp. 52–66 of Codex F, with which
collate.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
* * * * * * * *
Folios 13, pages 26, written 25 ¼, loose sheets, same paper as the red books.
Lewis's journal, Aug. 23–26, 1805, therefore in direct continuation of Codex F.
Text mainly the account of the Shoshone Indians as given in Biddle's chap. xvi,
vol. i. The dates are included in Clark's journal, Codex G.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
Folios 2, pages 4, full. Loose sheets, paper of the red books. Lewis's journal,
Sept. 9 and 10, 1805, at and near Traveler's Rest Creek. This codex comes417
after Codex Fb, but not connectedly. The dates are covered by Clark,
Codex G.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
* * * * * * * *
Folios 4, pages 8, full. Loose sheets, paper of the red books. Lewis's journal,
Sept. 18–22, 1805, Hungry Creek, Chopunnish Indians, etc. Follows Codex
Fc, but not connectedly. Dates covered by Clark, Codex G.Two fragments. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect
* * * * * * * *
order. Folios 5 + 3 = 8, pages 10 + 6 = 16. Paper like that of the red
book, from two of which these fragments have been torn. Lewis's weather
diary for April, May and June, 1805, and for July, Aug. and Sept., 1805.Note.—This codex is the basis of Biddle's meteorological tables, April 1 to
Sept. 30, 1805, in Vol. ii, pp. 484–488, and of the "Remarks and Reflections"
pertaining to these dates, 503–508. By dates Codex Fe is to be collated with
Codices D, E, F, G.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
Clark's No. 5. Biddle's No. 7. In perfect order inside and out; brass clasp intact.
Folios 76, pp. 152, besides the marbled flyleaves, one of which is written
on. Clark's journal, complete, July 1, 1805, to Oct. 10, 1805, covering the
whole of the route from White Bear islands, at the head of the Great Falls of
the Missouri, to mouth of the Kooskooskee or Clearwater River.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit
* * * * * * * *
No. 8. No Clark number. In perfect order, inside and out; brass clasp intact.
Folios 76, pages 152, besides back and front marbled flyleaves. Clark's journal,
complete, Oct. 11, 1805, to Nov. 19, 1805, going down "Lewis'" River and
the Columbia to the mouth of the latter.Note.—Codex H is main basis of Biddle, vol. ii, pp. 1–81.
One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit
* * * * * * * *
No. 9. No Clark number. In perfect order, inside and out; only brass clasp
gone. Folios 78, pages 156, besides the two marbled flyleaves. Clark's journal,
complete, Nov. 19, 1805 (directly continued from same date in Codex H)
to Jan. 29, 1806, at and about the mouth of the Columbia and residence in Fort
Clatsop, with various other matter, for which see contents following.Note.—Codex I is the main basis of Biddle's printed text, vol. ii, pp. 80–
146, though of course with collation of Lewis's parallel narrative. The list of
traders is on Biddle's p. 145. Biddle also uses the weather diary in one part, for
the months not taken from Lewis. The sketch map forms the third of the copper
plates of Biddle's Vol. ii. But the most important special matter in this Code418
is the "Estimate of the Western Indians," an original basis of Biddle's pp. 471–
476. The printed pages, however, do not follow this Clark Codex I, but are
from some revised manuscript furnished by Clark.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
* * * * * * * *
Folios 5, pages written 8; small paper like that of one of the small marble cover
books. Lewis's journal, Nov. 29–Dec. 1, 1805, when he explored by himself
a place on the S. W. side of the Columbia.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
No. 10. In Perfect order inside and out, only clasp gone. Folios 76, pages
152, besides marbled flyleaves. Lewis's journal, complete, Jan. 1, 1806,
to March 20, 1806, thus covering the residence of the party in Fort Clatsop.
The manuscript is very close, clear and clean, and illustrated with numerous pen
and ink sketches of Indian implements and utensils, birds, fishes, etc. There is a
well-drawn head of the California condor, the white-fronted goose, and some full-length
fishes, size of the page. We will specify this as "The Clatsop Codex."One of the thirteen red morocco books. Biddle deposit. Biddle's
* * * * * * * *
No. 10. In perfect order inside and out, only brass clasp gone. Folios 76,
pages 152, and two marbled flyleaves. Lewis's journal, complete, March 21,
1806, to May 23, 1806, in direct continuation of Codex J, covering voyage up
the Columbia, and journey over the Bitter-root Mountains.Note.—The Journal of this codex, so far as it is utilized, makes Biddle's pp.
205–299, of vol. ii.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
Biddle's No. 12. In good order inside and out, brass clasp intact. Total folios
75, pages 150, inclusive of three folios I have fastened in where they belong, exclusive
of the two marbled flyleaves, both written on one side. Lewis's journal, not
complete, May 24, 1806, to Aug. 8, 1806, excepting July 5–14, which is Codex
La, completing the Journal between dates said. This Codex L, together with La,
covers the making of "Lewis and Clark's Pass," Lewis's exploration of Maria's
River, and his Indian fight. It is continued by Lb, which see.Note.—This codex, with its important belongings La and Lb, is the sole
basis of Biddle's vol. ii, pp. 332–365, relating to Lewis's party, at the said
dates separated from Clark's.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In poor order;
one sheet in bad order. Sheets 4 ½, folios 9, pages 18, of a folded notepaper,
not matching paper from any of the bound books, and one sheet not matching the
rest. Lewis's journal, July 3–15, 1806, the making of "Lewis and Clark's
Pass." We will call it "The Pass Codex."419Note.—This is by far the most important of all the fragments, and unhappily
in the worst order of all the manuscripts. Sheet 1, folios 2, pages 4, is larger
than the rest, thin and now very brittle. Having been handled and packed with
smaller sheets, the edges are ragged, especially at bottom. The last line on each
of the four pages was probably going in Biddle's time, for he has interlined some
words that were then in danger of becoming illegible. Others that were only
made out with difficulty when I got the manuscript I have interlined to like
purpose; and certainly every word is saved. The top was in the same state,
but has no lines so near the edge, and I have trimmed it smooth. This sheet is
badly stained, also, perhaps from getting wet when Lewis forded a river with
it in his pocket. The Pass is made July 7, at the bottom of p. 7 of this fragment.
The MS. ends illegibly near the bottom of p. 18. Two other hands make a
memorandum across the blank space, to the effect that this fragment belongs to
Biddle's No. 12, my Codex L, where 10 folios were left blank by Lewis for
its insertion, and where it should be carefully copied into the clean book.Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In good order.
Folios 4, pages 7 written + 1 blank, paper like that of the red books. Lewis's
journal, Aug. 9–12, 1806, and last; includes his being shot by Cruzatte.Note.—Sole basis of Biddle's pp. 363–365, vol. ii.
One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
Biddle's No. 13. In perfect order inside and out. Folios 76, but
pages 154, including one side of each marbled flyleaf. Clark's journal, complete,
June 7, 1806, to Aug. 14, 1806. Parallel narrative with Lewis's to
July 3, when the party separated, then Clark's sole narrative of the journey from
Traveler's Rest Creek to the Jefferson River, making "Clark's Pass," thence down
the Jefferson, up the Gallatin, over to the Yellowstone, and down this to its mouth,
below which the separated parties reunited; also weather diary, June to Aug.,
1806. This may be known as "The Yellowstone Codex."Note.—A sketch map therein, is that mentioned in Biddle, as drawn by
Chopunnish Indians and copied on paper by Clark. It was never engraved.
With Lewis's parallel narrative to July 3, this codex is the basis of Biddle, vol.
ii, pp. 309–332: then it is sole basis of pp. 366–404.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
* * * * * * * *
Biddle's No. 14, and last. In perfect order inside and out, only brass clasp
gone. Folios 76, but pages 154, one side of both flyleaves being written over.
Clark's journal, complete, Aug. 15 to Sept. 26, 1806, and his last, bringing the
reunited party down the Missouri to St. Louis; also various other matter.Note.—An important codex. As Lewis kept no journal after Aug. 12, 1806,
* * * * * * * *
when he had been shot, the remainder of Biddle vol. ii is based on this codex, as
far as p. 433, end of the history.One of the thirteen red morocco books. No Biddle number.
Not deposited by Biddle; perhaps by Jefferson; by whom unknown; not one
of the regular series of journals[7] . In perfect order inside and out. Folios 64
only, pages 128 only, exclusive of the two flyleaves, probably up to the usual
72 folios, cut out of end. Text as far as it goes perfect and signed "Mcriwether
Lewis," showing end there. Whole MS. is in Lewis's hand. The gone leaves
were probably taken to be used for other writing, and their absence in no way
affects what is in the book.Contains description of the Missouri and other rivers, etc., from the mouth
of the Missouri to the Mandans, according to the observations of the expedition,
and beyond the Mandans upon Indian and other information, pp. 69–128.
This is a connected general account, the original draft of which was doubtless
written at Fort Mandan, winter of 1804–5, as text to accompany the map which
was sent thence to President Jefferson, April 7, 1805. Hence I infer that the
substance of this codex was among the papers dispatched to the President at
that date; but I have no record of how or when it came into the possession of
the Philosophical Society. It does not seem to have been known to Biddle, or
at any rate was not used by him in writing the history of the expedition.One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. No Biddle number.
Not one of the regular journals. Jefferson deposit, Nov., 1817. In perfect
order inside and out; only brass clasp gone. Folios only 68, pages 136,
exclusive of two flyleaves written on; 4 folios = 8 pages gone, but no break
in the manuscript. Clark's natural history notes, etc., April 9, 1805, to Feb.
17, 1806.Note.—This codex is important as containing numerous and various zoölogical
and botanical notes which are the main though not the sole basis of Biddle's natural
history chapter vii, in vol. ii. Some of this chapter is almost literally from
this codex, but zoölogical and botanical matter from various other codices is there
compiled. I may here give the simple explanation of the extreme meagreness and
paucity of the natural history notes in Lewis and Clark, with the sole exception
of what is in chap. vii, vol. ii. It was intended that Dr. B. S. Barton should
work up the natural history in both branches, as stated by Biddle in the Preface.
The codices (journals) are everywhere rich in such materials—often giving elaborate
descriptions of animals and plants which the printed text barely mentions.
These manuscripts will doubtless suffice for the scientific identification of the
objects described, in nearly all cases. But these passages are almost always cancelled
in red ink by Biddle or by Clark, with the remark, "Dr. Barton," "Copy
for Dr. Barton," "Copied for Dr. Barton," etc., showing that the editor designedly
passed them by for the purpose thus indicated. But Dr. Barton never did
anything with this wealth of new material; his death occurred soon after the volumes
were published, and nothing that I know of bearing on the zoölogy and
botany of Lewis and Clark was ever found among his papers. Thus the whole
intention miscarried; what little zoölogy was ever made out of the expedition421
was done by Wilson, Ord and Rafinesque, mainly, and what little botany, I
think, by Pursh. In 1876 I worked out the mammals and birds as well as I
could from the printed text of chap. vii, vol. ii.One of the four small marbled cover books. No Biddle number.
* * * * * * * *
Jefferson deposit. In good order. Folios 92, pages 184. Lewis and Clark's
miscellaneous notes, chiefly on natural history, 1804–1806. A mate to Codex
R (see contents).Note.—This and R are the only codices of the whole series of which Lewis
and Clark are joint authors—though Lewis has a few entries in Clark Codex C.
I observe no marks by Biddle in the MS., and probably he did not use this codex
at all. It has some valuable descriptions, found nowhere else, but on the whole
is of much less importance to the naturalist than Codex P.One of the four small marbled cover books. No Biddle number.
* * * * * * * *
Jefferson deposit. Cover most worn of any of the books, and very shabby; inside
sound and clean, except a torn flyleaf. Folios 82, pages 164. Lewis and
Clark's miscellaneous notes, chiefly on botany and zoölogy, May, 1804, to March,
1806. A mate to Codex Q.Fragment. Biddle deposit. Loose sheets 4 = folios 8 = pages
16, of notepaper, unlike the paper of any of the bound codices. In good order.
Lewis, Two letters of.(1) letter to President Jefferson, dated St. Louis, Sept. 23, 1806, announcing
the return of the expedition. This is the rough original, full of interlineations
and erasures, from which a fair copy was doubtless made and mailed to the President,
Lewis retaining the present MS. It is of great historic interest as a curiosity,
but of no special value otherwise. It is complete, with official signature
and address; it makes 5 ½ folios, or 11 pages, the second letter being on the
same sheets as the first one, occupying the remaining 2 ½ folios, or 5 pages. (2)
A letter, fragmentary, without signature or address, presumably intended for the
President, in Lewis's hand, misdated St. Louis, Sept. 21 (probably meant for 24),
1806, and proceeding to give a general account of the expedition, till it breaks
off in the middle of a sentence at bottom of p. 16. It announces the discovery
of the Yellow Rock or "Roghejone" river—that is, of the Yellowstone or
Roche jaune.Fragment. No record or identification. One folio, 2 pages,
apparently Clark's hand, but "Capt. Clark" spoken of in the third person.
It is a half sheet of notepaper, not from any one of the bound books, and a mere
excerpt, without proper beginning or end, speaking of some geographical and
other matters of no special consequence.
Codex A.
Codex A a.
Codex B.
Codex B a.
Codex C.
Codex D.
Codex E.
Codex F.
Codex F a.
Codex F b.
Codex F c.
Codex F d.
Codex F e.
Codex G.
Codex H.
Codex I.
Codex I a.
Codex J.
Codex K.
Codex L.
Codex L a.
Codex L b.
Codex M.
Codex N.
Codex O.
Codex P.
Codex Q.
Codex R.
Codex S.
Codex T.
Note to Codices A–T.—The four small marble cover codices, and the brown
codex, were actually penned in the field, day by day, as the Expedition proceeded.
So were some of the fragmentary codices, notably the "Pass Codex."
But this cannot have been the case with the red books, nor with those of the
fragmentary codices which are on paper of the same size, shape and quality as
that of the red books. The covers are too fresh and bright, the paper too clean
and sound, for these books to have ever been through the wear and tear of such
a journey. The handwritings are too good, and too uniform, for either of the
explorers to have executed them in the vicissitudes of the camp. The red books
were certainly written after the return of the expedition, and before Lewis's
death in October, 1809—that is, in 1806–9. They were certainly put in Mr.
Biddle's hands very early in 1810, and were probably written at St. Louis.
I suppose the explorers bought a stock of these blank books, and proceeded to
copy into them their journals and notes, from rough field-books like the marble
ones and the brown one. They appear to have agreed upon a fair division of
the work of authorship—each to write certain portions of the narrative, each in
the first person singular speaking of the other in the third person, and each drawing
what he wished from the rough field-books of both. They evidently intended
to become the joint authors of their own Travels, though each should write
certain portions himself. This design was frustrated by Lewis's untimely and
tragic death; upon which Clark at once secured Mr. Biddle's invaluable
services as editor and virtual author. But in making this explanation concerning
the red books, I must not be misread as saying that they are not "original"
manuscripts of Lewis and of Clark; simply that they are not books which were
written in the field. Every word of them all is in the handwriting of one or
the other of the explorers; they are original, they are genuine, and they are
authentic.[8]
If the actual texts of Lewis and Clark are ever published, they should
be printed word for word, letter for letter, and point for point. This
would make a wonderful book, and I am inclined to think it should be
done.
The only serious criticism of Mr. Biddle's most admirable performance,
which examination of the original manuscripts induces me to
venture, concerns the exclusion of all tabular matter from the body of
his text. The manuscripts of both the explorers, and of Clark especially,
are replete with astronomical observations for latitude and longitude,
tabulated courses by points of the compass, bearings of prominent
great intrinsic interest in meandering the Missouri and other rivers, and
invaluable in tracking the routes of the explorers across the mountains.
It is true that such things do not make easy reading, and perhaps the
publisher objected; but the benefit to the student of Lewis and Clark
that would have resulted from the publication of these data is simply
incalculable.[9]
One of Clark's journals is now in the possession of his son, Mr. Jefferson K.
Clark, of St. Louis. I am not informed of the dates covered by this volume, nor of
the nature of its contents.—Coues.
As will be seen upon reference to vol. i, of our series, pp. l–liii, the present Editor
was led by the above note to institute a search for the Ordway journal. This quest
led to the discovery of the remarkable collection of Clark MSS. in the possession of
his heirs in New York city, whither the family papers had been removed from St.
Louis; but the Ordway journal is still missing.—Ed.
Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | ||