University of Virginia Library

[Clark:]

27th August Monday 1804.—

This morning the Star calld the morning Star much larger
than Common, G. Drewyer came up and informed that he
could neither find Shannon nor horses, we Sent Shields &
J Fields, back to hunt Shannon & the horses, with derections
to keep on the Hills to the Grand Calumet above on River
Kacure (quecure)[3]

We Set Sail under a gentle Breeze from the S. E. at 7
miles passed a White Clay Marl or Chalk Bluff under this
Bluff [which] is extensive I discovered large Stone much like
lime incrusted with a clear substance which I believe to be
Cobalt, also Ore is embeded in the Dark earth, resembling
Slate [but] much Softer, above this Bluff we had the Prarie

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126

At 2 oClock passed the Mouth of River Jacque [or Yeankton,][4]
one Indian at the mouth of this river Swam to the Perogue, we landed and two others Came to us, those Inds.
informed that a large Camp of Soues, were on R. Jacque near
the mouth. We sent Serjt. Pryor & a Frenchman with Mt.
Durion, the Soues interpeter to the Camp with directions to
invite the principal Chiefs to Council with us at a Bluff above
Called the Calumet. two of those Indians accompanied them
and the third continued in the Boat Showing an inclination to
Continue, this boy is a Mahar, and inform that his nation,
were gone to the Parnies [Panies] to make a peace with that
nation.

We proceeded on about one and a half miles and inCamped
on a bar makeing out from the S. S. the wind blew hard
from the South. A cool and Pleasent evening, The river
has fallen verry slowly and is now low.

Course Dist. & Refrs. August 27.

This river about 85 or 90 yds. Wide and is navagable for
Perogues a Great distance, it heads with the St. Peters, of the
Misissippi & the red River which runs into Lake Winipeck
and Hudsons Bay.

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127

28th August Tuesday 1804.—

Set out under a Stiff Breeze from the South and proceeded
on passd a Willow Island at 2 Miles several Sand bars, the
[river] Wide & Shallow at 4 miles passed a Short White Bluff
of about 70 or 80 feet high, below this Bluff the Prarie rises
gradually from the water back to the Hight of the Bluff which
is on the Starboard Side here the Indian who was in the boat
returned to the Soues [Sieoue] Camp on the R Jacque. Capt.
Lewis & my Self much indisposed owing to Some cause for
which we cannot account one of the Perogues run a Snag
thro her and was near Sinking in the opinions of the Crew.
we came too below the Calumet Bluff and formed a Camp in a
Butifull Plain near the foot of the high land which rises with
a gradual assent near this Bluff[5] I observe more timber in
the Valeys & on the Points than useal. The Perogue which
was injured I had unloaded and the Loading put into the
other Perogue which we intended to Send back & changed the
Crew after examoning her & finding that She was unfit for
service determined to Send her back by the party Some load
which was in the Perogue much Injur'd.

The wind blew hard this afternoon from the South. J.
Shields & J. Fields who was Sent back to look for Shannon
and the Horses joined us and informed that Shannon had the
horses ahead and that they Could not overtake him This
man not being a first rate Hunter, we deturmined to Send one
man in pursute of him with some Provisions.

Course Dis: & Reffrs. 28th Augt. 1804.