University of Virginia Library

LXXXVII. LXXXVII

ELLIOTT COUES'S[1] DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIGINAL
JOURNALS OF LEWIS AND CLARK, NOW IN POSSESSION
OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
IN PHILADELPHIA

LXXXVII. [Condensation of paper read before the American Philosophical Society, January 20, 1893, and
published in Proceedings of the Society, vol. xxxi, No. 140, pp. 17–33.]

It is well known that the History of Lewis and Clark's Expedition was
written by Mr. Nicholas Biddle, of Philadelphia, and first published there
in 1814, in two octavo volumes, by Bradford and Inskeep. It is also
common report that the manuscripts of the famous explorers, upon
which Mr. Biddle worked, are extant. But what these are, and where
they are kept, few could have told.

All the journals and notebooks, in the handwritings respectively of
Lewis and of Clark, upon which Mr. Biddle based his work, were
deposited by him with the Philosophical Society in April, 1818.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Diligent and minute examination of these manuscripts satisfies me
that their character should be made known, as a matter of great historic
interest. Accordingly the present description is offered.

I will first describe the bound books and loose papers, just as I found
them, in general terms; next, in terms of their several deposits—for
there are more of them than Mr. Biddle deposited; and then I will give
an account of them in detail, as I have arranged them in a series of
codices, which I call alphabetically Codex A, etc., to T.

I. The Books and Papers as Found.

Of four sorts: (1), (2), (3), three different styles of bound field notebooks
and journals; (4), several lots of loose papers, mainly belonging
with one of the styles of the bound volumes.

1.

• Thirteen (13) bound volumes, all alike, forming the most conspicuous
  part of the collection, and known since Biddle's time as "the
  red books." These are journals and notebooks of Lewis and of Clark,
  respectively, all in the handwriting of one or the other of the explorers.
  Eleven (11) of these are a part of the Biddle deposit; one (1) was
  deposited by Mr. Jefferson; one (1) is an unrecorded deposit. All are
  in remarkably good order, clean and sound inside and out; form oblong;
  back along short diameter, and as the pages were written on both sides,
  up and down, across the same diameter, the books open to and from the
  reader, not right and left; covers smooth bright red morocco, gilt-tooled
  edges, marbled inside, fastened at the fore end with brass clasps (now
  gone from eight of the volumes, intact on five of them)[2] ; size of covers
  8 ⅛ × 5 ⅛ inches (very nearly same size and shape as the leaves of the
  printed Philadelphia edition of 1814); paper about one quarter inch
  smaller each way than cover, or 7 ⅞ × 4 ⅞, rather thin, rough and tough,
  white (now with a slight brownish tinge), unruled; gathering supposed
  to be 76 folios or 152 pages in each book, exclusive of a pair of flyleaves
  marbled one side like inside of cover; but the number of leaves varies a
  little, and in several cases some leaves have been intentionally torn out
  —nowhere breaking the text, but to write something else on, or for
  another purpose. These books, as a whole, are written almost entirely
  full. Lewis's hand is particularly fine, fair and even; Clark's is larger,
  stronger and less regular; both are so good, and the pages are so perfectly
  preserved, that there is perhaps not a word, possibly not a letter,
  in the whole of these manuscripts not now distinctly legible. Seven (7)
  of these thirteen books are by Lewis alone; six (6) are by Clark alone.
  Eleven (11) are "journals"—i.e., narratives of the progress of the
  Expedition day by day, entered under consecutive dates. Two (2) are
  "Notebooks"—i.e., miscellaneous entries, of various dates or none, of
  astronomical, geographical, ethnological, zoölogical, botanical, etc., items.
  In my arrangement these thirteen books become Codices D, E, F, G,
  H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P (see further on). With them belong more
  or less intimately certain parcels of loose sheets (see on).

2.

• One (1) bound volume, the "brown" book, standing alone.
  This is almost exactly the size, shape, etc., of the foregoing, but quite
  

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  413

  
  
  
  unlike them in appearance. It is bound in rough brown leather, sides and
  edges alike, not marbled inside; it is thicker than any of the other volumes,
  the paper being heavier and coarser; the leaves are 137, pages 274. This
  is mainly a journal, and mainly in Clark's hand, but with some entries by
  Lewis, and some by another hand. It includes the whole of the wintering
  of the expedition at Fort Mandan, and various other matters. For
  contents see beyond, Codex C, which this volume now forms.

3.

• Four (4) bound volumes, which may be called the "marble" books,
  from the style of their covers. Form oblong, like that of all the foregoing;
  size of covers 6 ¾ × 4 inches, leaves 6 ½ × 3 ¾; paper rough, whitish,
  unruled; covers pasteboard, overlaid with marbled paper, back and corners
  of thin, smooth, brown leather. All in good order but one, which
  is worn and shabby; all written full, and perfectly legible throughout.
  The gathering of these four books is supposed to be 92 leaves or 184
  pages; in one I find but 164 pages, though without any break in the
  text that I can discover. Two of these books are Clark's journals, from
  the starting of the Expedition to October 3, 1804; the other two are
  notebooks, chiefly natural history notes, by both Lewis and Clark. The
  four now form my Codices A, B and Q, R (see beyond).

4.

• Several parcels of loose sheets of manuscript, some in Lewis'
  hand, some in Clark's. Most of these papers are of the same size, shape
  and quality as the leaves of the red books, having been, in fact, taken
  from some of the latter, as may be seen by fitting the torn ends to the
  stubs remaining in the volumes. Those parcels which thus obviously
  belong to certain of the red books, or with the red books as a set, I have
  arranged as Codices Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, La, Lb. One of the parcels
  is a different fragment, imperfect, once part of a notebook, not found,
  like the small marble books; this is now Codex Ia. Two of the parcels
  belong with the small marble books, and thus become Codices Aa,
  Ba. Two remaining parcels, not directly connected with any of the
  bound volumes, are now Codices S, T. These manuscripts were all
  loose; as arranged they make twelve (12) parcels and as many codices,
  for the particular description of which see beyond.

  The above are all the books and papers in my hands which are
  actual manuscripts of Lewis or of Clark. They are accompanied by
  Mr. Biddle's letter of deposit, and several memoranda concerning them,
  in Biddle's or another hand.

II. The Books and Papers as Deposited.

I do not find quite all of the Biddle deposit, as itemized in the receipt
given him by the Society; for example, no vocabularies and no maps.

The "Meteorological Register" he specifies is simply certain leaves
detached from the red books, and thus already accounted for. All the
loose manuscript above specified is supposed to be included in the Biddle
deposit. But I find four books from other sources remaining to be
accounted for.[3] As to their deposits, therefore, the Lewis and Clark
manuscripts fall into the following arrangement:

1.

• The Biddle deposit, fourteen bound volumes, viz.: Two of the
  four small marble books; the one brown book; and eleven of the thirteen
  red books. With these belong all the loose papers, as above said.

2.

• The Jefferson deposit, consisting of three bound volumes. Two
  of these are small marble books, matching the other two deposited by
  Biddle. Each is by both Lewis and Clark, and each consists of miscellaneous
  field notes, mainly on zoölogy and botany. They now form
  Codices Q, R. The third volume is one of the red books. It is a
  Clark, and contains miscellaneous notes, chiefly on natural history. It
  is now Codex P. These three were deposited by Mr. Jefferson in
  November,[4] 1817, as appears by memorandum in each of them, in
  Biddle's hand.

3.

• Unknown deposit: One of the thirteen red books without record
  of source whence obtained. This is a Lewis, and consists of certain
  astronomical observations and geographical notes. It is now Codex O.[5]

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

in stiff paper covers, and for the most part interleaved with onion-skin
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:

Codex A.

• 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).

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex A a.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex B.

• 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).

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex B a.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex C.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex D.

• One of the thirteen red morocco cover books. Biddle deposit.
  Biddle's No. 4. In perfect order. Cover clean and scarcely warped. Folios
  

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  416

  
  
  
  70, pages 140, besides two flyleaves marbled one side like inside of covers; there
  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]

Codex E.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex F.

• 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.

Codex F a.

• 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.

Codex F b.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex F c.

• Fragment. Biddle deposit. No number. In perfect order.
  Folios 2, pages 4, full. Loose sheets, paper of the red books. Lewis's journal,
  

  ---

  417

  
  
  
  Sept. 9 and 10, 1805, at and near Traveler's Rest Creek. This codex comes
  after Codex Fb, but not connectedly. The dates are covered by Clark,
  Codex G.

Codex F d.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex F e.

• 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.

Codex 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex H.

• 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.

Codex I.

• 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
  

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  418

  
  
  
  plates of Biddle's Vol. ii. But the most important special matter in this Code
  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.

Codex I a.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex J.

• 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."

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex K.

• 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.

Codex L.

• 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.

Codex L a.

• 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."

  ---

  419

  
  
  

  Note.—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.

Codex L b.

• 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.

Codex M.

• 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.

Codex N.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

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Codex O.

• 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.

Codex P.

• 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
  

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  421

  
  
  
  intention miscarried; what little zoölogy was ever made out of the expedition
  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.

Codex Q.

• 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.

Codex R.

• 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.

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Codex S.

• 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.

Codex T.

• 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.

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

landmarks by the same, formally estimated distances, etc. These are of
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]