University of Virginia Library

Chapter V

AMONG THE MANDANS

V. Clark's Journal, October 17—December 27, 1804

[Clark:]

27th.. of October Satturday 1804, Mandans.—

WE Set out arly came too at the Village on the L.S.
this village is situated on an eminance of about 50
feet above the Water in a handsom plain it containes
[blank space in MS.] houses[1] in a kind of Picket
work, the houses are round and verry large containing several
families, as also their horses which is tied on one Side of
the enterance, a Description of those houses will be given
hereafter, I walked up & Smoked a pipe with the Chiefs of
the Village they were anxious that I would stay and eat
with them, my indisposition provented my eating which displeased
them, untill a full explenation took place, I returned
to the boat and Sent 2 Carrots of Tobacco for them to smoke,
and proceeded on, passed the 2d. Village and camped opsd. the
Village of the Weter soon[2] [or Ah wah har ways] which is
Situated on an eminance in a plain on the L.S. this Village
is Small and Contains but fiew inhabitents.[3] above this Village
also above the Knife river on the Same Side of the
Missouri the Big bellies Towns are Situated a further Description

will be given hereafter as also of the Town of
Mandans on this side of the river i.e. S. Side.

a fine warm Day we met with a frenchman by the name of
Jessomme[4] which we imploy as an interpeter. This man has a
wife & Children in the village. Great numbers on both Sides
flocked down to the bank to view us as we passed. Cap.t
Lewis with the Interpetr walked down to the village below our
camp After delaying one hour he returned and informed me
the Indians had returned to their village &c. &c., we Sent
three twists [carrots] of Tobacco[5] by three young men, to the
three villages above enviting them to come Down & Council
with us tomorrow. many Indians came to view us Some
stayed all night in the Camp of our party. We procured
some information of Mr. Jessomme of the Chiefs of the
Different Nations

Course Distance 27th

   

West	2	Miles to a bend on the L. S. passing a Cole Bank
N. 10°. W.	2/4	miles to a Wood on the S. S. passd the 2 village on S. S.

Sunday. 28th of October 1804—

a windey Day, fair and clear many of the Grosvantres (or
Big Bellies) and Watersones Came to See us and hear the
Council the wind being So violently hard from the S.W.
provented our going into Council, (indeed the Chiefs of the
Mandans from the lower village Could not Cross, we made
up the presents and entertained Several of the Curious Chiefs
whome, wished to see the Boat which was verry curious to
them viewing it as great medison, (whatever is mysterious or
unintelligible is called great medicine) as they also Viewed my
black Servent The Black Cat Grand Chief of the Mandans,
Capt Lewis & myself with an Interpeter walked up the river

about 1 1/2 miles our views were to examine the Situation &
Timber for a fort, we found the Situation good but the
Timber scerce, or at least Small timber such as would (not)
answer us, We cunsulted the Grand Chief in respect to the
other Chiefs of the Different Villages he gave the names of
12. George Drewyer cought 2 Beaver above our Camp last
night, we had Several presents from the woman of Corn
boil'd homney, Soft Corn &c. &c. I prosent a jar (earth-thern
jar glazed) to the Chiefs wife who receved it with much
pleasure. our men verry chearfull this evening. We Sent
the Chiefs of the Gross Vantres to Smoke a a pipe with the
Grand Chef of the Mandans in his Village, & told them we
would Speek tomorrow.

29th; October Monday 1804.—

a fair fine morning after Brackfast we were visited by the
old Cheaf of the Big bellies or [blank space in MS.] this
man was old and had transfired his power to his Sun, who was
then out at War against the Snake Indians who inhabit the
Rockey Mountains.[6] at 10 oClock the S.W. wind rose verry
high, we Collected the Chiefs and Commenced a Councel
ounder a orning, and our Sales Stretched around to keep out
as much wind as possible, we delivered a long Speech the
Substance of which [was] Similer to what we had Delivered to
the nations below. the old Chief of the Grosvanters was
verry restless before the Speech was half ended observed that
he Could not wait long that his Camp was exposed to the
hostile Indians, &c. &c. he was rebuked by one of the Chiefs
for his uneasiness at Such a time as the present, we at the
end of the Speech mentioned the Recare who accompanied us
to make a firm Peace, they all Smoked with him (I gave
this Cheaf a Dollar of the American Coin as a Meadel with
which he was much pleased) In Councel we prosented him

with a certificate of his sin[c]errity and good Conduct &c.
We also Spoke about the fur which was taken from 2 frenchmen
by a Mandan, and informd of our intentions of Sending
back the french hands. after the Council we gave the presents
with much serimoney, and put the Meadels on the Chiefs we
intended to make viz. one for each Town to whome we gave
coats hats & flags, one Grand Chief to each nation to whome
we gave meadels with the presidents likeness in Council we
requested them to give us an answer tomorrow or as Soon as
possible to Some Points which required their Deliberation.
after the Council was over we Shot the air gun which appeared
to astonish the nativs much, the greater part then retired
Soon after.

The Recare Cheaf Ar-ke-tar-na-shar came to me this evening
and tells me that he wishes to return to his Village &
nation, I put him off Saying tomorrow we would have an
answer to our talk to the Satisfaction & send by him a String
of Wompom informing what had passed here. a Iron or
Steel Corn Mill which we gave to the Mandins,[7] was verry
thankfully receved. The Prarie was Set on fire (or cought by
accident) by a young man of the Mandins, the fire went with
such velocity that it burnt to death a man & woman, who
Could not get to any place of Safty, one man a woman &
Child much burnt and Several narrowly escaped the flame. a
boy half white was saved unhurt in the midst of the flaim,
Those ignerent people say this boy was Saved by the Great
Medison Speret because he was white. The couse of his being
Saved was a Green buffalow Skin was thrown over him by his
mother who perhaps had more fore Sight for the pertection of
her Son, and [l]ess for herself than those who escaped the
flame, the Fire did not burn under the Skin leaveing the
grass round the boy. This fire passed our Camp last [night]
about 8 oClock P.M. it went with great rapitidity and looked
Tremendious

The following Chiefs were made in Council to day

Ma-too-ton-ha or Lower Village of the Mandans

1st.

• Chief Sha-ha-ka—or Big White[8]

2

• do Ka-goh-ha-mi. or Little Raven

Roop-tar-hee or Second Village of the Mandans.

1st.

• and Grand Chief, Pose-cop-sa-he. or black cat

2nd.

• Chief Car-gar-no-mok-she raven man Cheaf

Mah-har-ha 3rd. Village

1st.

• Cheaf Ta-tuck-co-pin-re-ha white Buffalow robe unfolded

Me-ne-tar-re Me-te-har-tan

1st.

• Cheif —Omp-se-ha-ra. Black Mockerson

2

• do. Oh-harh or Little fox

We Sent the presents intended for the Grand Chief of the
Mi-ne-tar-re or Big Belley, and the presents flag and Wompom
by the old Chief and those intended for the Chief of the Lower
Village by a young Chief.

The following Chiefs were recommended in addition to
those viz.—

1st. Village

• Oh-hee-nar Big Man a Chien (a Chayenne prisoner adopted by them)

• Sho-ta-har-ro-ra[9] [or Coal—Biddle]

2d. Village

• Taw-nuh-e-o Bel-lar-sara

• Ar-rat-tana-mock-she —Wolf man Chief

3rd Village

• Min-nis-sur-ra-ree—Neighing horse

• Lo-Cong-gar-ti-har—old woman at a distance

4th. Village

• Mar-noh-tah. the big Steeler out at war (who was then out at war &
  was killed afd.)

• Mar-se-rus-se —tale of Callumet bird

• Ea pa no pa —Two taled Calumet bird young Chief

• War ke ras sa The red Shield young Chief of Big belley—big town

5th. Village

• Shà-hakó ho pin nee —Little Wolfs Medison

• Ar-rat-toé-no-mook-ge—man wolf Chief (at war)

• Cal-tar-co ta —cherry (grows (growing) on a bush) old Chief and
  father to the above mentd. chief

• Mau-pah′-pir-re-cos-sa too —This chief is near this hunting and a
  verry considerable man[10]

To the 1st. Chiefs we gave a Medal with the Impn. of the President
of the U. S.

To the 2d. Chiefs a Medel of weaveing & Domestic animals.

To the 3rd. Chiefs a Medel with the impression of a man Sowing
Wheat.

30th. October Tuesday 1804—

Two chiefs came to have Some talk one the princapal of the
lower Village the other the one who thought himself the principal
man, & requested to hear Some of the Speech that was
Delivered yesterday they were gratified, and we put the medal
on the neck of the Big white to whome we had Sent Clothes
yesterday & a flag, those men did not return from hunting
in time to join the Councell, they were well pleased (2d. of
those is a Chien) I took 8 men in a Small perogue and went
up the river as fur as the 1st Island about 7 miles to see if a
Situation could be got on it for our Winter quarters, found
the wood on the Isd. as also on the pt. above so Distant from
the water that, I did not think that we could get a good
wintering ground there, and as all the white men here informed
us that wood was scerce, as well as game above, we Deturmined
to drop down a fiew miles near wood and game

Course to the Island

         

N. 12°. W.	3	Ml. to a Bluff 30 feet high above the point of wood. S.S.
N. 20°. W	2	Mls. to a tree under the bank about 20 feet high S. S. butifull plain
N. 30°. W.	1 1/2	Mls. to a pt-of the Same Bluff 30 feet high under which there was coal S. S.
N. 45°. W.	1 1/2	Mls. to the Lower point of an Island Current on the L. S. this Isd. abt. 1 mile long.
	7

on my return found maney Inds. at our Camp, gave the
party a dram, they Danced as is verry Comn. in the evening
which pleased the Savages much. Wind S. E.

31st.. of October Wednesday 1804—

a fine morning, the Chief of the Mandans Sent a 2d. Chief
to invite us to his Lodge to receive Som corn & here what he
had to say I walked down, and with great ceremoney was
Seeted on a roabe by the Side of the Chief, he threw a
handsom Roabe over me and after smokeing the pipe with
Several old men around, the Chief spoke

Said he believed what we had told them, and that peace
would be general, which not only gave him Satisfaction but
all his people, they now could hunt without fear, & ther
womin could work in the fields without looking everry moment
for the enemey, and put off their mockersons at night, (sign of
peace undress) as to the Ri[c]ares we will Show you that we
wish peace with all, and do not make War on any without
cause, that Chief—pointing to the 2d. and Some brave men
will accompy. the ricare Chief now with you to his village &
nation, to Smoke with that people, when you came up the
Indians in the neighbouring Villages, as well as those out
hunting when they heard of you had great expectations of
receving presents those hunting imediately on hearing returned
to the Village and all was Disapointed, and Some Dissatisfied,
as to himself he was not much So but his village
was. he would go and see his great father &c. &c.

he had put before me 2 of the Steel traps which was robed
from the french a Short time ago, [and] about 12 bushels of

Corn which was brought and put before me by the womin of
the Village after the Chief finishd & Smoked in great cerrimony,
I answered the Speech which Satisfied them verry
much, and returned to the boat. met the princapal Chief of
the 3d. Village and the Little Crow both of which I invited
into the Cabin and Smoked & talked with for about one hour.
Soon after those Chiefs left us, the Grand Chief of the
Mandans came Dressed in the Clothes we had given with his
2 small Suns, and requested to See the men Dance which they
verry readily gratified him in, the wind blew hard all the after
part of the day from the N. E. and continud all night to blow
hard from that point, in the morning it Shifted NW. Capt
Lewis wrote to the N. W. Companys agent on the Orsiniboine
River (fort &c. there about 150 miles hence) abt. 9 Days march
North of this place

1st.. of November. Thursday 1804—

the Wind hard from the NW. Mr. Mc. Crackin a Trader
Set out at 7 oClock to the Fort on the Ossiniboin by him
Send a letter, (inclosing a Copy of the British Ministers protection)
to the principal agent of the Company.[11] at about 10
oClock the Chiefs of the Lower Village came and after a Short
time informed us they wished they would us to [i.e., that we
would—Ed.] call at their Village & take Some corn, [They
said] that they would make peace with the Ricares they never
made war against them but after the Rees killed their Chiefs
they killed them like the birds, and were tired (of killing them)
and would Send a Chief and Some brave men to the Ricares
to Smoke with that people. in the evening we Set out and
fell down to the lower Village where Capt Lewis got out and
continud at the village untill after night I proceeded on &
landed on the S. S. at the upper point of the 1st. Timber on the
Starboard Side after landing & continuing all night droped

down to a proper place to build Capt. Lewis Came down after
night, and informed me he intended to return the next
morning by the perticular request of the Chiefs.

We passed the Villages on our Decent in View of Great
numbers of the inhabitents

2nd November Friday 1804—

This Morning at Daylight I went down the river with 4 men
to look for a proper place to winter proceeded down the
river three miles & found a place well Supld. with wood, &
returned, Capt. Lewis went to the Village to here what they
had to Say & I fell down, and formed a Camp, near where a
Small Camp of Indians were hunting cut down the Trees
around our Camp, in the evening Capt. Lewis returned with
a present of 11 bushels of Corn, our ricaree Chief Set out
accompanied by one Chief (of Mandans) and Several Brave
men (of Minitarees and Mandans), he called for Some small
article which we had given (promised) but as I could not
understand him he could not get [it] (afd he did get it) the
wind from the S. E. a fine day maney Indians to view us to
day

3rd.. of November Satterday 1804—

a fine morning wind hard from the West we commence
building our Cabins,[12] Send down in a perogue 6 men to hunt
engaged one man (a Canadian Frenchman who had been with
the Chayenne Inds. on the Côte noir & last summer descended thence
the Little Missouri —he was of our permanent.)[13] Set the french
who intend to return to build a perogue, many Indians pass
to hunt, Mr. Jessomme (Jesseaume) with his Squar & children
come down to live, as Interpter, we receved (hired) a
hors for our Service, in the evening the Ka goh ha me or
little ravin came & brought us on his Squar (who carried it on
of Meal &c. they Delayed all night we gave his Squar [an
her back) about 60 Wt. of Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot

ax &] a fiew Small articles & himself a piece of Tobacco, the
men were indulged with a Dram, this evening two Beaver
Cought this morning, and one Trap Lost

(The Frenchmen 9 engaged thus far now returning—but 2 or 3
volunteered to remain with us the winter which they did, & in the
Spring left us.)

4th November Sunday 1804—

a fine morning we continud to cut Down trees and raise
our houses, a Mr. Chaubonie (Chaboneau), interpeter for the
Gross Ventre nation Came to See us, and informed that the
came Down with Several Indians from a hunting expidition
up the river, to here [hear] what we had told the Indians in
Council this man wished to hire as an interpiter, the wind
rose this evening from the East & clouded up. Great numbers
of Indians pass hunting and Some on the Return

5 November Monday 1804—

I rose verry early and commenced raising the 2 range of
Huts[14] the timber large and heavy all to carry on on Hand
Sticks, cotton wood & Elm Som ash Small, our Situation
Sandy, great numbers of Indians pass to and from hunting
a camp of Mandans, A fiew miles below us Cought within two
days 100 Goats, by Driveing them in a Strong pen, derected
by a Bush fence widening from the pen &c. &c. the Greater
part of this day Cloudy, wind moderate from the N. W. I
have the Rhumitism verry bad, Cap Lewis writeing all Day
we are told by our interpeter that 4 Ossiniboins Indians, have
arrived at the Camps of the Gross Venters, & 50 Lodges are
Comeing.[15]

6th.. November Tuesday 1804 Fort Mandan—

last night late we wer awoke by the Sergeant of the Guard
to See a Nothern light, which was light, (but) not red, and appeared
to Darken and Some times nearly obscured, and open, (divided about 20 degrees above horizon—various shapes —considerable
space) many times appeared in light Streeks, and at
other times a great Space light & containing floating collomns
which appeared to approach each other & retreat leaveing the
lighter space at no time of the Same appearance

This Morning I rose a[t] Day light the Clouds to the
North appeared black at 8 oClock the [wind] began to blow
hard from the N. W. and Cold, and Continued all Day Mr.
Jo Gravelin our ricare interpeter Paul premor, Laguness, [Lajeunesse]
& 2 french Boys, who Came with us, Set out in a Small
perogue, on their return to the recare nation & the Illinois,
Mr. Gravelin has instructions to take on the recares in the
Spring &c. Continue to build the huts, out of Cotton Timber,
&c. this being the only timber we have,

7th November Wednesday 1804—

a termperate day we continued to building our hut, cloudy
and foggey all day

8th.. Nov. Thursday 1804 —

a cloudy morning Jussome our (Mandan) inturpeter went
to the Village, on his return he informed us that three English
men had arrived from the Hudson Bay Company, and
would be here tomorrow, we contd. to build our huts, many
Indians come to See us and bring their horses to Grass near
us.

9th. Nov. Friday 1804 —

a verry hard frost this morning we continue to build our
Cabens, under many Disadvantages, Day cloudy wind from
the NW. Several Indians pass with flying news (reports), we
got a white weasel, (Taile excepted which was black at the end)
of an Indian Cap.t Lewis walked to the hill ab.t 3/4 of a mile.
we are Situated in a point of the Missouri North Side in a
Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy containing

an imence quantity of water Britle (brittle) & Soft fine food
for Horses to winter (as is Said by the Indians) The Mandans
Graze their horses in the Day on Grass, and at night give them
a Stick (an arm full) of Cotton wood (boughs) to eate, Horses
Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or round
House, Covd. with earth with a fire in the middle[16] great number
of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high.

10th November Satturday 1804—

rose early continued to build our fort numbers of Indians
came to See us a Chief Half Pania came & brought a Side
of a Buffalow, in return We Gave Some fiew small things to
himself & wife & Son, he crossed the river in the Buffalow
Skin Canoo & and, the Squar took the Boat (on her back) and
proceeded on to the Town 3 miles the Day raw and cold
wind from the NW., the Gees Continue to pass in gangues as
also brant to the South, Some Ducks also pass

11th.. November Sunday 1804. Fort Mandan

a cold Day continued at work at the Fort Two men cut
themselves with an ax, The large Ducks pass to the South
an Indian gave me several roles of parched meat two Squars
of the Rock mountains, purchased from the Indians by a
frenchmen (Chaboneau) came down The Mandans out hunting
the Buffalow

12th.. November Monday 1804—

a verry Cold night early this morning the Big White princapal
Chief of the lower Village of the Mandans came Down,
he packd about 100lb. of fine meet on his squar for us, we
made Some Small presents to the Squar, & child gave a Small
ax [with] which She was much pleased 3 men Sick with the

[blank in MS.], Several, Wind Changeable verry cold evening,
freesing all day some ice on the edges of the river.

Swans passing to the South, the Hunters we Sent down
the river to hunt has not returned

"The interpeter says that the Mandan nation as they (old
men) Say came out of a Small lake (subterraneous Village & a
lake) where they had Gardins, maney years ago they lived in
Several Villages on the Missourie low down,[17] the Small pox
destroyed the greater part of the nation and reduced them to
one large village and Some Small ones, all the nations before
this maladey was affrd. (afraid) of them, after they were reduced
the Seaux and other Indians waged war, and killed a
great maney, and they moved up the Missourie, those Indians
Still continued to wage war, and they moved Still higher, until
got in the Countrey of the Panias, whith this Ntn. they lived in
friendship maney years, inhabiting the Same neighbourhood
untill that people waged war, they moved up near the Watersoons
& Winataras where they now live in peace with those
nations, the Mandans Speake a language peculial to themselves
verry much [blank in MS.] they can rase about 350
men the Winataries about 80 (the Wittassoons or Maharha 80)
and the Big bellies (or Minitarees) about 600 or 650 men. the
Mandans and Seaux have the Same word for water. The Big
bellies or Winetaries & ravin (Wattassoon as also the Crow or
Raven) Indians Speake nearly the Same language and the presumption
is they were origionally the Same nation The Ravin
Indians "have 400 Lodges & about 1200 men, & follow the
Buffalow, or hunt for their Subsistance in the plains & on the
Court Noi & Rock Mountains, & are at war with the Siaux
[and] Snake Indians

The Big bellies & Watersoons are at war with the Snake
Indians & Seauex and were at war with the Ricares untill we
made peace a fiew days passd. The Mandans are at war with
all who make war [on them, at present with the Seauex] only,
and wish to be at peace with all nations, Seldom the ogressors

13th.. Nov. Tuesday 1804 —

The Ice began to run in the river 1/2 past 10 oClock P.M.
we rose early & onloaded the boat before brackfast except, the
Cabin, & stored away in a Store house at 10 oClock A.M.
the Black Cat the Mandin Chief and Lagree (Fr. name) Che
Chank a Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan, I
gave him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with his people & a
Gold Cord, with a view to know him again, This nation consists
(This chief was one of 3 bands of Assns who rove between the
Missouri & Assn river. The 3 consist) of about 600 men, hunt
in the Plains & winter and trade on the Ossiniboin River,
(here decribe all Assns) they are the Decendants of the Seaux
and Speake their language, they come to the nations in this
quarter to trade or (make preasents) for horses[18] the Method
of this Kind of Trafick by addoption Shall be explained hereafter
etc., Snow'd all day, the Ice ran thick and air Cold.

14th of November Wednesday 1804. Fort Mandan—

a cloudy morning, ice runing verry thick, river rose 1/2
Inch last night Some snow falling, only two Indians visit
us to day owing to a Dance at the Village last night in Concluding

a serimoney of adoption,[19] and interchange of property,
between the Ossinboins, Christinoes (Knistenaux) [20] and the
nations of this neighbourhood. we Sent one man by land on
horseback to know the reason of the Delay of our hunters,
this evening 2 frenchmen who were traping below Came up
with 20 beaver. we are compelled to use our Pork which we
doe Spearingly for fear of some falur in precureing a Sufficiency
from the woods.

our Interpeter informs that 70 Lodges one of 3 bands of
Assinniboins & Some Crestinoes, are at the Mandan Village.
The Crestinoes are abt. 300 (240) men Speak the Chipaway
Language, the[y] live near Fort De prari (on Assiniboin &
Assaskashawan [Saskatchewan—Ed.] they are bands of the
Chippeways)

15th of November Thursday 1804—

a cloudy morning, the ice run much thicker than yesterday.
at 10 oClock G Drewyer[21] & the frenchman we Dispatched
yesterday came up from the Hunters, who is incamped about
30 miles below. after about one hour we Dispatched a man
with orders to the hunters to proceed on without Delay thro
the floating ice, we sent by the man Tin, to put on the parts
of the Perogue exposed to the ice & a toe roape. The wind
Changeable all hands work at their huts untill 1 oClock at
night. Swans passing to the South— but fiew fowls (water) to
be Seen not one Indian came to our fort to day

16th November Friday 1804—

a verry white frost all the trees all covered with ice, cloudy,
all the men move into the huts which is not finishd. Several
Indians come to camp to day, The Ossiniboins is at the Big
bellie Camp, some trouble like to take place between them
from the loss of horses &c. as is Said by an Indian who
visited us with 4 Buffalow robes & corn to trade for a Pistol
which we did not let him have, men imployd untill late in
dobing[22] their huts, Some horses Sent down to Stay in the
woods near the fort, to prevent the Ossniboins Steeling them.

17th November Satturday 1804—

a fine morning, last night was Cold, the ice thicker than
yesterday, Several Indians visit us, one Chief Stayed all day
we are much engaged about our huts.

18th Nov. Sunday 1804—

a cold morning Some wind the Black Cat, Chief of the
Mandans came to see us, he made great inquiries respecting
our fashions, he also Stated the Situation of their nation,
he mentioned that a Council had been held the day before
and it was thought advisable to put up with the resent insults
of the Ossiniboins & Christinoes untill they were convinced
that what had been told them by us [was true—Ed.],
Mr. Evins had deceived them & we might also, he promised
to return & furnish them with guns & amunition, we advised
them to remain at peace & that they might depend upon
Getting Supplies through the Channel of the Missourie, but
it required time to put the trade in opperation. The Ossiniboins
&c. have the trade of those nations in their power and
treat them badly, as the Soux does the Ricarees,[23] and they cannot
resent, for fear of loseing their trade.

19th Nov. Monday—

a Cold day the ice continue to run our Perogue of Hunters
arrive with 32 Deer, 12 Elk & a Buffalow, all of this meat
we had hung up in a Smoke house, a timeley supply. Several
Indians here all day. the wind blew hard from the N.W. by
W. our men move into their huts, Several little Indian
aneckdts. [anecdotes] told me to day

20th. November Tuesday 1804—

Cap Lewis & my Self move into our hut,[24] a verry hard
wind from the W. all the after part of the day a temperate
day Several Indians came Down to Eat fresh meat, three
Chiefs from the 2d. Mandan Village Stay all Day, they are
verry Curious in examining our works. Those Chiefs informs
us that the Souex settled on the Missourie above Dog (Chayenne)
River, threten to attacked them this winter, and have
treated 2 Ricares who carried the pipe of peace to them verry
roughly, whiped & took their horses from them &c. &c. & is
much displeased with the Ricares for makeing a peace with the
Mandans &c. &c. through us, we gave them a Sattisfactory
answer. &c. &c.

21st. Nov. Wednesday—

a fine Day despatched a perogue and collected stone for
our Chimneys, Some wind from the S.W. arrange our
different articles. Maney Indians visit us to day, G D hurd
his hand verry bad all the party in high Spirits. The river
Clear of ice, & riseing a little.[25]

22nd.. of November Thursday 1804—

a fine morning Dispatched a perogue and 5 men under the
Derection of Sergeant Pryor to the 2nd. Village for 100 bushels
of Corn in ears which Mr. Jessomme, let us have [did not get
more than 30 bushels]. I was allarmed about 10 oClock by
the Sentinal, who informed that an Indian was about to kill
his wife in the interpeters fire about 60 yards below the works,
I went down and Spoke to the fellow about the rash act which
he was like to commit and forbid any act of the kind near the
fort. Some misunderstanding took place between this man &
his fife [wife] about 8 days ago, and she came to this place,
& continued with the Squars of the interpeters, (he might lawfully
have killed her for running away) 2 days ago She returned
to the vill'ge. in the evening of the Same day She
came to the interpeters fire appearently much beat, & Stabed
in 3 places. We Derected that no man of this party have
any intercourse with this woman under the penalty of Punishment.
he the Husband observed that one of our Serjeants
Slept with his wife & if he wanted her he would give her to
him, We derected the Serjeant (Odway) to give the man
Some articles, at which time I told the Indian that I believed
not one man of the party had touched his wife except the one
he had given the use of her for a nite, in his own bed, no
man of the party Should touch his squar, or the wife of any
Indian, nor did I believe they touch a woman if they knew
her to be the wife of another man, and advised him to take his
squar home and live hapily together in future, at this time
the Grand Chief of the nation arrived, & lectured him, and
they both went off apparently dis (dissatisfied)

The Grand Chief continued (with us) all day, a warm Day
fair afternoon many Indian aneckdotes our Chief & his family
stay all night.

23rd..—

a fair warm Day, wind from the S.E. Send after Stone
several men with bad colds, one man Shields with the Rhumitism
the river on a Stand haveing rose 4 inches in all.

24th of November Satturday 1804—

a warm Day Several men with bad colds we continued to
cover our Huts with hewed Punchins,[26] finishd. a Cord to
draw our boat out on the bank, this is made of 9 strans of Elk
Skin, the wind from the S.E.

25th.. of Nov. Sunday 1804—

a fine day warm & pleasent Capt Lewis 2 Interpeters &
6 men Set out to see the Indians in the different Towns &
camps in this neighbourhood, we Continu to cover & dob
our huts, two Chiefs came to See me to day one named
Wau-ke-res-sa-ra, a Big belley, and the first of that Nation
who has Visited us Since we have been here, I gave him a
handkerchef Paint & a lace band, and the other Some fiew
articles, and paid a perticular attention which pleased them
verry much, the inturpeters being all with Capt. Lewis I
could not talk to them. We Compleated our huts. Several
men with bad Colds, river falls 1 1/2 inch

[Memorandum on p. 221 of this Codex:] Capt. Lewis with
Chabono & Jessomme set out to visit the Indian hunting
camps, Spent the evening with the black mockerson, the
principal Chief of the little village of Big billies.

26th.. of Nov. 1804 Monday Fort Mandan—

a little before day light the wind shifted to the N.W. and
blew hard and the air keen & cold all day, Cloudy and much
the appearance of Snow; but little work done to day it being
cold &c.

[Memorandum, p. 220:] Visited the upper camps of the
big bellies and returned to the lower Camp & passed a second
night.

27th.. of November Tuesday 1804—

a cloudy morning after a verry cold night, the River
crouded with floating ice Wind from the NW. finished
Dobing Capt. Lewis returned from the Villages with two
Chiefs Mar-noh-toh & Man-ness-sur ree & a considerate [considerable]
man with the party who accompanied him, The
Menetaries, (or Big bellies) were allarmed at the tales told
them by the Mandans viz : that we intended to join the Seaux
to Cut off them in the Course of the Winter, many Circumstances
Combin'd to give force to those reports i. e. the movements
of the interpeters & their families to the Fort, the
strength of our work &c. &c. all those reports was contredicted
by Capt. Lewis with a conviction on the minds of the
Indians of the falsity of those reports. the Indians in all the
towns & Camps treated Capt. Lewis & the party with Great
respect, except one of the principal Chiefs Mar-par-pa-parra-pas-a-too
or (Horned Weasel) who did not chuse to be Seen
by the Capt. & left word that he was not at home &c. Seven
Traders arrived from the fort on the Ossinoboin from the
NW. Company one of which Lafrance took upon himself to
speak unfavourably of our intentions &c. the principal Mr.
La Rock (& Mr. Mc. Kensey) was informed of the Conduct of
their interpeter & the Consequences if they did not put a Stop
to unfavourable & ill founded assursions &c. &c.[27]

The two Chiefs much pleased with ther treatment & the
Cherefullness of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c. &c.

The river fall 2 Inches verry Cold and began to Snow at
8 oClock PM and continued all night. Some miss understanding
with Jussomme[28] & his woman at Day the Snow
seased

28th.. Nov. Wednesday 1804—

a cold morning wind from the N.W. river full of floating
ice, began to Snow at 7 oClock a m and continued all day.
at 8 oClock the Poss-coss-so-he or Black Cat Grand Chief of
the Mandans Came to See us, after Showing those Chiefs
many thing[s] which was Curiossities to them, and Giveing a
fiew presents of Curious Handkerchiefs arm ban[d]s & paint
with a twist of Tobacco they departed at I oClock much
pleased, at parting we had Some little talk on the Subject of
the British Trader M. Le rock Giveing meadels & Flags, and
told those Chiefs to impress it on the minds of their nations
that those simbiles were not to be receved by any from them,
without they wished [to] incur the displeasure of their Great
American Father. a verry disagreeable day no work done to
day river fall 1 Inch to day

29th.. November Thursday 1804—

A verry cold windey day wind from the N.W. by W.
Some snow last night the detph of the Snow is various in the
wood about 13 inches, The river Closed at the Village above
and fell last night two feet, Mr. La Rock and one of his men
Came to visit us, we informed him what we had herd of his
intentions of makeing Chiefs &c. and forbid him to give
Meadels or flags to the Indians, he Denied haveing any
Such intention, we agreed that one of our interpeters Should

Speak for him on Conditions he did not say any thing more
than what tended to trade alone. he gave fair promises &c.[29]

Sergeant Pryor in takeing down the mast put his Sholder
out of Place, we made four trials before we replaced it a cold
afternoon wind as useal N W. river begin to rise a little.

30th.. of November Friday 1804—

This morning at 8 oClock an Indian called from the other
Side and informed that he had Something of Consequence to
Communicate, we Sent a perogue for him & he informed us
as follows. Viz: "five men of the Mandan nation out hunting
in a S.W. derection about Eight Leagues, was Suprised by
a large party of Seeoux & Panies, one man was Killed and two
wounded with arrows & 9 Horses taken, 4 of the We ter
soon nation was missing, and they expected to be attacked by
the Souex &c. &c. we thought it well to Show a Disposition
to ade and assist them against their enemies, perticularly those
who Came in oppersition to our Councels; and I Deturmined
to go to the town with Some men, and if the Seeoux were
comeing to attact the Nation to Collect the worriers from each
Village and meet them, those Ideas were also those of Capt
Lewis, I crossed the river in about an hour after the arrival
of the Indian express with 23 men including the interpeters
and flankd the Town & came up on the back part. The
Indians not expecting to receive Such Strong aide in So Short
a time was much supprised, and a littled allarmed at the
formadable appearence of my party. The principal Chiefs
met me Some Distance from the town (say 200 yards) and
invited me in to town. I ord[ered] my pty into dift. lodges

&c. I explained to the nation the cause of my comeing in
this formadable manner to their Town, was to assist and Chastise
the enemies of our Dutifull Children, I requested the
Grand Cheif to repeat the Circumstancies as they hapined,
which he did as was mentioned by the express in the morning.
I then informed them that if they would assemble their warrers
and those of the Different Towns, I would [go] to meet
the Army of Souex &c. chastise them for takeing the blood of
our dutifull Children &c. after a conversation of a fiew minits
amongst themselves, one Chief. the Big Man (Cien) (a Chayenne).
Said they now Saw that what we hade told them was the
trooth, when we expected the enemies of their Nation was
Comeing to attact them, or had Spilt their blood [we] were
ready to protect them, and kill those who would not listen to
our Good talk. his people had listened to what we had told
them and cearlessly went out to hunt in Small parties believing
themselves to be Safe from the other nations, and have
been killed by the Panies & Seauex, "I knew Said he that
the Panies were liers, and told the old Chief who Came with
you (to Confirm a piece with us) that his people were liers and
bad men and that we killed them like the Buffalow, when we
pleased, we had made peace several times and you Nation
have always commenced the war, we do not want to kill you,
and will not Suffer you to kill us or Steal our horses, we
will make peace with you as our two fathers have derected,
and they Shall See that we will not be the Ogressors, but we
fear the Ricares will not be at peace long. "My father those
are the words I spoke to the Ricare in your presents. you
See they have not opened their ears to your good Councels
but have Spuilt our blood." two Ricaries whom we sent
home this day for fear of our peoples killing them in their
greaf, informed us when they came here Several days ago, that
two Towns of the Ricares were makeing their Mockersons,
and that we had best take care of our horses &c." a numbers
"of Seauex were in their Towns, and they believed not well
disposed towards us. four of the Wetersoons are now absent
they were to have been back in 16 days, they have been
out 24 we fear they have fallen. My father the Snow is deep
and it is cold our horses Cannot travel thro the plains, those
people who have Spilt our blood have gone back? if you
will go with us in the Spring after the Snow goes off we will
raise the warriers of all the Towns & Nations around about
us, and go with you."

I told this nation that we should be always willing and
ready to defend them from the insults of any nation who
would dare to Come to doe them injury dureing the time
we would remain in their neighbourhood, and requstd. that they
would inform us of any party who may at any time be discovered
by their Patroles or Scouts; I was sorry that the
snow in the Plains had fallen so Deep Sence the Murder of
the young Chief by the Sieoux as prevented their horses from
traveling. I wished to meet those Seeoux & all others who
will not open their ears, but make war on our dutifull Children,
and let you see that the Wariers of your Great father
will chastize the enimies of his dutifull Children the Mandans,
Wetersoons & Winetarees, who have opend. their ears to his
advice. you say that the Panies or Ricares were with the
Seeaux, some bad men may have been with the Seeaux you
know there is bad men in all nations, do not get mad with
the recarees untill we know if those bad men are Counternancd.
by their nation, and we are convsd those people do not
intend to follow our Councils. You know that the Seeaux
have great influence over the ricarees, and perhaps have led
Some of them astray you know that the Ricarees, are Dependant
on the Seeaux for their guns, powder, & Ball, and it
was policy in them to keep on as good tirms as possible with
the Seaux untill they had Some other means of getting those
articles &c. &c. You know yourselves that you are compelled
to put up with little insults from the Christinoes & Ossinaboins
(or Stone Indd.) because if you go to war with those people,
they will provent the traders in the North from bringing you
Guns, Powder & Ball and by that means distress you verry
much, but whin you will have certain Supplies from your
Great American father of all those articles you will not Suffer
any nation to insult you &c. after about two hours conversation
on various Subjects all of which tended towards their

Situation &c. I informed them I should return to the fort,
the Chief said they all thanked me verry much for the fatherly
protection which I shewed towards them, that the village had
been crying all the night and day for the death of the brave
young man, who fell but now they would wipe away their
tears, and rejoice in their fathers protection, and cry no more.

I then Paraded & Crossed the river on the ice and Came
down on the N. Side, the Snow So Deep, it was verry
fatigueing arived at the fort after night, gave a little Taffee[30]
(dram to my party), a cold night the river rise to its former
hite. The Chief frequently thanked me for comeing to protect
them—and the whole village appeared thankfull for that
measure

1st. of December Satturday 1804—

Wind from the NW. all hands ingaged in gitting pickets
&c. at 10 oClock the half brother of the man who was killed
came & informd us that after my departure last night Six
Chiens so called by the french or Shar ha Indians had arrived
with a pipe and said that their nation was at one days march
and intended to come & trade &c. three Panies had also
arrived from the nation, (their nation was then within 3 days
march & were coming on to trade with us Three Pawnees
accompd these Chayennes The mandans call all ricaras Pawnees
don't use the name of rics. but the rics call themselves Rics) The
Mandans apprehended danger from the Shar has as they were
at peace with the Seaux; and wished to Kill them and the
Ricaries (or panies) but the Chiefs informed the nation it was
our wish that they Should not be hurt, and forbid their being
killed &c." We gave a little Tobacco &c. & this man
Departed well satisfied with our Councils and advice to him.

in the evening a Mr. G Henderson [arrived —Ed.] in the
imploy of the hudsons bay Company sent to trade with the
Gros ventre, or Big bellies so called by the french traders

2nd.. of December Sunday 1804—

The latter part of last night was verry warm and continued
to thaw untill [blank in MS.] oClock when the wind Shifted
to the North at 11 oClock the Chiefs of the Lower Village
of the Mandans [came] with many of theire young men and
4 of the Shar-ha's who had come to Smoke with the pipe of
Peace with the Mandans, we explained to them our intentions
our views and advised them to be at peace, Gave them
a flag for theire nation, Some Tobacco with a Speech to
Dilever to their nation on theire return, also Sent by them a
letter to Mrs. Tabbo & Gravoline, at the Ricares Village, to
interseed in proventing Hostilities, and if they Could not
effect those measures to Send & inform us of what was going
on, Stateing to the Indians the part we intend to take if the
Rickores & Seauex did not follow our Derections and be at
peace with the nations which we had addopted. we made
Some fiew Small presents to those Shar-ha's and also Some to
the Mandans & at 3 oClock they all Departed well pleased,
haveing Seen many Curesostties, which we Showed them.
river rise one inch

3rd. December Monday 1804—

a fine morning the after part of the day cold & windey the
wind from the NW. the Father of the Mandan who was
killed came and made us a present of Some Dried Simnins
(Pumpkins) & a little pimecon, (pemitigon) we made him Some
small preasents for which he was much pleased

4th.. of December Tuesday 1804—

a cloudy raw Day wind from the N.W. the Black cat and
two young Chiefs Visit us and as usial Stay all Day the river
rise one inch fini[s]h the main bastion, our interpetr. (Jessaume)
we discover to be assumeing and discontent'd.[31]

5th.. December Wednesday—1804

a cold raw morning wind from the S.E. Some Snow, two
of the NW. Company Came to See us, to let us Know they intended
to Set out for the establishment on the ossinniboin
River in two Days, & their party would Consist of 5 men,
Several Indians also visited us one brought Pumpkins or Simnins
as a preasent. a little Snow fell in the evening at which
time the wind Shifted round to N.E.

6th.. of December Thursday 1804 Fort Mandan—

The wind blew violently hard from the N.N.W. with Some
Snow the air Keen and cold. The Thermometer at 8 oClock
A.M. Stood at 10 dgs. above 0. at 9 oClock a man & his
squar Came down with Some meat for the interpeter his dress
was a par mockersons of Buffalow Skin & Pr. Legins of Goat
Skin & a Buffalow robe, 14 ring of Brass on his fingers, this
Metel (ornament) the Mandans ar verry fond off. cold after
noon river rise 1 1/2 Inch to day.

[Memorandum, p. 220 :] Cap.t Clark Set out with a hunting
party Killed 8 Buffalow & returned next day

7th.. of December Friday 1804—

a verry cold day wind from the NW. the Big White Grand
Chief of the 1st Village, came and informed us that a large
Drove of Buffalow was near and his people was wating for us
to join them in a chase Capt. Lewis took 15 men & went out
joined the Indians, who were at the time he got up, Killing
the Buffalow on Horseback with arrows which they done with
great dexterity,[32] his party killed 10 Buffalow, five of which
we got to the fort by the assistance of a horse in addition to
what the men Packed on their backs. one cow was killed on
the ice after drawing her out of a vacancey in the ice in which
She had fallen, and Butchered her at the fort. those we did

not get in was taken by the indians under a Custom which is
established amongst them i e. any person seeing a buffalow
lying without an arrow Sticking in him, or some purticular
mark takes possession, many times (as I am told) a hunter
who kills maney Buffalow in a chase only Gets a part of one,
all meat which is left out all night falls to the Wolves which
are in great numbers, always in [the neighborhood of—Ed.]
the Buffalows. the river Closed opposit the fort last night
1 1/2 inches thick, The Thermometer Stood this Morning at
1 d. below 0. three men frost bit badly to day.

8th. December Satturday 1804—

a verry Cold morning, the Thermometer Stood at 12d. below
0 which is 42d. below the freesing point, wind from the NW.
I with 15 men turned out (Indians joined us on horseback shot
with arrows rode along side of buffaloe) and killed 8 buffalow
& one Deer, one Cow and calf was brought in, two Cows
which I killed at 7 miles Dst. I left 2 men to Skin & keep off
the Wolves, and brought in one Cow & a calf, in the evening
on my return to the fort Saw great numbers of Buffalow
Comeing into the Bottom on both Sides of the river this day
being Cold Several men returned a little frost bit, one of [the]
men with his feet badly frost bit my Servents feet also frosted
& his P—s a little, I felt a little fatigued haveing run after
the Buffalow all day in Snow many Places 18 inches Deep,
generally 6 or 8, two men hurt their hips verry much in
Slipping down. The Indians kill great numbers of Buffalow
to day. 2 reflectings Suns to day.

9th.. December Sunday 1804—

The Thermometer Stood this morning at 7° above 0, wind
from the E. Capt. Lewis took 18 men & 4 horses (3 hired I
bought) and went out [to] Send in the meet killed yesterday
and kill more, the Sun Shown to day Clear, both interpeters
went to the Villages to day at 12 oClock two Cheifs came
loaded with meat, one with a dog & Slay also loaded with meat,
Capt. Lewis Sent 4 Hors's loaded with meat, he continued at
the hunting Camp near which the[y] killed 9 buffalow.

10th Monday Dec. 1804 Fort Mandan—

a verry Cold Day The Thermometer to day at 10 & 11
Degrees. below 0.[33] Capt. Lewis returned, to day at 12 oClock
leaveing 6 Men at the Camp to prepare the meat for to pack
4 Horse loads came in, Capt. Lewis had a Cold Disagreeable
night last in the Snow on a Cold point with one Small Blankett,
the Buffalow crossed the river below in imence herds without
brakeing in. only 2 buffalow killed to day one of which was
too pore to Skin, The men which was frost bit is getting
better. the [river] rise 1 1/2 inch wind North.

11th.. December Tuesday 1804—

a verry Cold morning Wind from the north The Thermometer
at 4 oClock A M. at 21°. [sunrise at 21°. see list]
below 0 which is 53°. below the freesing point and getting
colder, the Sun Shows and reflects two imigies, the ice floating
in the atmospear being So thick that the appearance is like
a fog Despurceing.

Sent out three horses for meat & with Derections for all the
hunters to return to the fort as Soon as possible at 1 oClock
the horses returned loaded, at night all the hunters returned,
Several a little frosted, The Black Cat Chief of the Mandans
paid us a Visit to day, continue Cold all day river at a
Stand.

12th.. December Wednesday 1804—

a Clear Cold morning Wind from the north the Thermometer
at Sun rise Stood at 38° below 0., moderated untill 6
oClock at which time it began to get Colder. I line my Gloves
and have a Cap made of the Skin of the Louservia[34] (Lynx) (or
wild Cat of the North) the fur near 3 inches long, a Indian
of the Shoe[35] (Maharha or Mocassin) Nation Came with the half

of a Cabra ko kâ or Antilope which he killed near the Fort.
Great numbers of those animals are near our fort (so that they
do not all return to rock mountain Goat) but the weather is So
Cold that we do not think it prudent to turn out to hunt in
Such Cold weather, or at least untill our Consts. are prepared
to under go this Climate. I measure the river from bank to
bank on the ice and make it 500 yards

13th. December Thursday 1804—

The last night was verry Clear & the frost which fell covered
the ice old Snow & those parts which was naked 1/6 of an inch,
The Thermometer Stands this morning at 20°. below 0, a fine
day. find it imposible to make an Observation with an arteficial
Horrison. Joseph Fields kill a Cow and Calf to day,
one mile from the Fort. River fall.

14th.. December Friday 1804—

a fine Morning. wind from the S. E. the Murckerey Stood
at 0 this morning I went with a party of men down the river
18 miles[36] to hunt Buffalow, Saw two Bulls too pore to kill,
the Cows and large gangues haveing left the River, we only
killed two Deer & Camped all night with Some expectation
of Seeing the Buffalow in the morning, a verry Cold night,
Snowed.

15th.. of December 1804 Satturday —

a Cold Clear morning, Saw no buffalow, I concluded to
return to the fort & hunt on each Side of the river on our
return which we did without Success. the Snow fell 1 1/2 inches
deep last night. Wind North. on my return to the fort
found Several Chiefs there.

16th. December Sunday 1804—

a clear Cold morning, the Thermtr. at Sun rise Stood at 22°.
below 0, a verry singaler appearance of the Moon last night,
as She appeared thro: the frosty atmispear. Mr. Henny from
the Establishment on River Ossinniboin, with a letter from,

Mr. Charles Chaboillez one of the C° arrived in 6 Days,[37] Mr.
C. in his letter expressed a great anxiety to Serve us in any
thing in his power.[38]

* a root Discribed by Mr. Henny for the Cure of a Mad
Dog [blank in MS.— Ed.]

Mr. LeRock a clerk, of the NW. Company and Mr. George
Bunch a Clerk of the Hudsons beey Compy accompanied
Mr Henry from the village.

17th.. December Monday 1804—

a verry Cold morning the Thmt. Stood a[t] 45° below 0.
We found Mr. Henny a Verry intelligent Man from whome
we obtained Some Scetches of the Countrey between the Mississippi
& Missouri, and Some Sketches from him, which he
had obtained from the Indins. to the West of this place also the
names and charecktors of the Seeaux &c. about 8 oClock
P M. the thermometer fell to 74° below the freesing pointe.
the Indian Chiefs Sent word that Buffalow was in our Neighbourhood,
and if we would join them, in the morning they
would go and kill them.

18th. December Tuesday 1804—

The Themometer the Same as last night Mrs. Haney &
La Rocke left us for the Grossventre Camp, Sent out 7 men
to hunt for the Buffalow they found the weather too cold &
returned, Several Indians Came, who had Set out with a
View to Kill buffalow, The river rise a little I imploy my
Self makeing a Small Map of Connextion &c. Sent Jessomme
to the Main Chief of the mandans to know the Cause of his

detaining or takeing a horse of Chabonoe our big belly interpeter,
which we found was thro: the rascallity of one Lafrance
a trader from the NW. Company, who told this Chief that
Chabonat owd him a horse to go and take him he done So
agreeable to an indian Custom. he gave up the horse

19th. December Wednesday 1804—

The Wind from the S.W. the weather moderated a little, I
engage my Self in Connecting the countrey from information.
river rise a little[39]

20th. December Thursday 1804—

The Wind from the NW a moderate day, the Thermometer
37° (24°) above O, which givs an oppertunity of
putting up our pickets next the river, nothing remarkable
took place to Day river fall a little

21st.. December Friday 1804—

a fine Day warm and wind from the NW by W, the
Indian whome I stoped from Commiting Murder on his wife,
'thro jellosy of one of our interpeters, Came & brought his
two wives and Shewed great anxiety to make up with the man
with whome his joulussey Sprung. a Womon brought a
Child with an abcess on the lower part of the back, and offered
as much Corn as she Could Carry for some Medison, Capt.
Lewis administered &c.

22nd.. December Satturday 1804—

worm. a number of Squars & men Dressed in Squars
Clothes[40] Came with Corn to Sell to the men for little things,
We precured two horns of the animale the french Call the

rock Mountain Sheep those horns are not of the largest kind
The Mandans Indians Call this Sheep Ar-Sar-ta it is about
the Size of a large Deer, or Small Elk, its Horns Come out
and wind around the head like the horn of a Ram and the
tecture (texture) not unlike it much larger and thicker, perticelarly
that part with which they but[t] or outer part which
is [blank in MS.] inchs thick, the length of those horns,
which we have is [blank in MS.]

23rd.. December Sunday 1804—

a fine Day great numbers of indians of all discriptions
Came to the fort many of them bringing Corn to trade, the
little Crow, loadd his wife & Sun with Corn for us, Cap.
Lewis gave him a few presents as also his wife, She made a
kittle of boiled Cimnins, beens, Corn & Choke Cheries with
the Stones, which was palitable This Desh is Considered, as
a treat among those people, the Chiefs of the Mandans are
fond of stayin' & Sleeping in the fort

24th.. December Monday 1804—

Several Chiefs and numbers of Men Womin and Children
at the fort to Day, Some for trade, the most as lookers on,
we gave a fellet of Sheep Skin (which we brought for Spunging)
to 3 Chiefs one to each of 2 inches wide, [on] which they
lay Great value (priseing those felets equal to a fine horse), a
fine Day we finished the pickengen (picketing) around our
works.

25th. December Christmass Tuesday—

I was awakened before Day by a discharge of 3 platoons
from the Party and the french, the men merrily Disposed, I
give them all a little Taffia and permited 3 Cannon fired, at
raising Our flag, Some Men Went out to hunt & the others
to Danceing and Continued untill 9 oClock P.M. when the
frolick ended &c.[41]

26th.. Decr. Wednesday 1804—

a temperate day no Indians to day or yesterday. A man
from the NW. Company Came Down from the Gross Ventres
to get one of our interpeters to assist them in trade This
man informed that the Party of Gross Ventres who persued
the Assiniboins that Stold their horses, had all returned in
their useal way by Small parties, the last of the party bringing
8 horses which they Stole from a Camp of Assiniboins which
they found on Mouse River.

27th.. December 1804 Thursday—

a little fine Snow weather Something Colder than yesterday
Several Indians here to Day, much Suprised at the Bellos
(Bellows)[42] & method of makeing Sundery articles of Iron
Wind hard from the NW.[43]