Part III: Journal Entries of September 1806

[Clark, September 1, 1806]
 Monday 1st of September 1806
 Musquitors very troublesom last night, we set out at the usial hour and
 had not proceeded on far before the fog became So thick that we were
 oblige to come too and delay half an hour for the fog to pass off which
 it did in Some measure and we again proceded on R. Jo. Fields and
 Shannon landed on an Ponceras Island to try to kill Some deer which was
 Seen on the beech and the Canoes all passed them at 9 A. M we passed
 the enterance of River Quiequur which had the Same appearance it had
 when we passed up water rapid and of a milky white Colour about two
 miles below the Quicurre, 9 Indians ran down the bank and beckened to
 us to land, they appeared to be a war party, and I took them to be
 Tetons and paid no kind of attention to them further than an enquirey
 to what tribe they belonged, they did not give me any answer, I prosume
 they did not understand the man who Spoke to them as he Spoke but
 little of their language. as one Canoe was yet behind we landed in an
 open Commanding Situation out of Sight of the indians deturmined to
 delay untill they Came up. about 15 minits after we had landed Several
 guns were fired by the indians, which we expected was at the three men
 behind. I calld out 15 men and ran up with a fill deturmination to
 Cover them if possible let the number of the indians be what they
 might. Capt Lewis hobled up on the bank and formed the remainder of the
 party in a Situation well calculated to defend themselves and the
 Canoes &c. when I had proceeded to the point about 250 yards I
 discovered the Canoe about 1 mile above & the indians where we had left
 them. I then walked on the Sand beech and the indians came down to meet
 me I gave them my hand and enquired of them what they were Shooting at,
 they informed me that they were Shooting off their guns at an old Keg
 which we had thrown out of one of the Canoes and was floating down.
 those Indians informed me they were Yanktons, one of the men with me
 knew one of the Indians to be the brother of young Durion's wife.
 finding those indians to be Yanktons I invited them down to the boats
 to Smoke. when we arived at the Canoes they all eagerly Saluted the
 Mandan Chief, and we all Set and Smoked Several pipes. I told them that
 we took them to be a party of Tetons and the fireing I expected was at
 the three men in the rear Canoe and I had went up with a full intention
 to kill them all if they had been tetons & fired on the Canoe as we
 first expected, but finding them Yanktons and good men we were glad to
 See them and take them by the hand as faithfull Children who had opened
 their ears to our Councils. one of them Spoke and Said that their
 nation had opened their years, & done as we had directed them ever
 Since we gave the Meadel to their great Chief, and Should Continue to
 do as we had told them we enquired if any of their Chiefs had gone down
 with Mr. Durion, the answered that their great Chief and many of their
 brave men had gone down, that the white people had built a house near
 the Mahar village where they traded. we tied a piec of ribon to each
 mans hair and gave them Some Corn of which they appeared much pleased.
 The Mandan Cheif gave a par of elegant Legins to the principal man of
 the indian party, which is an indian fashion. the Canoe & 3 men haveing
 joined us we took our leave of this party telling them to return to
 their band and listen to our councils which we had before given to
 them. Their band of 80 Lodges were on plum Creek a fiew miles to north.
 those nine men had five fusees and 4 bows & quivers of arrows. at 2
 P.M. we came too on the upper point of bon homme opposit the antient
 fortification and Sent out men to hunt on each Side and on the island.
 and the canoes on each Side of the island to receive any meat might be
 killed I walked on the N. E. main Shore found the bottom rich and
 thickly covered with Peavine rich weed grass interwoven in Such a
 manner with grape vines that I could not get through and was obliged to
 assend a high plains the passing through which I also found tiresom.
 the grass was nearly as high as my head and the musquitors excessively
 bad. at the lower point of the Island all the Canoes & hunters Came
 together. Labeech killed an Elk only the flesh of which was brought on
 in the perogue. at this island we brought 2 years together or on the
 1st of Septr. 1804 we Encamped at the lower point of this Island. after
 we all Came together we again proceeded on down to a large Sand bar
 imediately opposit to the place were we met the Yanktons in Council at
 the Calumet Bluffs and which place we left on the it of Septr. 1804. I
 observed our old flag Staff or pole Standing as we left it. the
 musquitors excessively troublesom untill about 10 P.M. when the S W
 wind became Strong and blew the most of them off. we came 52 miles to
 day only with a head wind. the Country on either Side are butifull and
 the plains much richer below the Queiquer river than above that river.
 
 
 [Clark, September 2, 1806]
 Tuesday 2nd of September 1806
 Set out at the usial hour passed the River Jacque at 8 A.M. in the
 first bottom below on the N E. Side I observed the remains of a house
 which had been built since we passed up, this most probably was
 McClellins tradeing house with the Yanktons in the Winter of 1804 & 5
 the wind was hard a head & continued to increas which obliged us to lay
 by nearly all day. as our Store of meat, I took with me 8 men and
 prosued a Small Gang of Cows in the plains 3 miles and killed two which
 was in very good order, had them butchered and each man took a load as
 much as he Could Carry and returned to the Canoes, the wind Still high
 and water rough we did not Set out untill near Sun Set we proceded to a
 Sand bar a Short distance below the place we had Come too on account of
 the wind and Encamped on a Sand bar, the woods being the harbor of the
 Musquetors and the party without the means of Screaning themselves from
 those tormenting insects. on the Sand bars the wind which generaly
 blows moderately at night blows off those pests and we Sleep Soundly.
 The wind Continued to blow hard from the Same point S. E untill 3 P. M
 I saw in my walk to day Lynn and Slipery Elm. the plains are tolerably
 leavel on each Side and very fertile. I saw 4 prarie fowls Common to
 the Illinois, those are the highest up which have been Seen, white Oak
 is very Common also white ash on the riveens and high bottoms. two
 turkys killed to day of which the Indians very much admired being the
 first which they ever Saw. Capt L. is mending fast--we made only 22
 Miles to day.
 
 
 [Clark, September 3, 1806]
 Wednesday 3rd of September 1806
 Wind Continued to blow very hard this morning. it Shifted last night to
 the S. W. and blew the Sand over us in Such a manner as to render the
 after part of the night very disagreeable. the wind luled a little and
 we Set out and proceeded on with the wind a head passed the enterance
 of redstone River on the N E. Side at 11 A M. and at half past 4 P. M
 we Spied two boats & Several men, our party peyed their Ores and we
 Soon landed on the Side of the Boats the men of these boats Saluted us
 with their Small arms I landed & was met by a Mr. James Airs from
 Mackanaw by way of Prarie Dechien and St. Louis. this Gentleman is of
 the house of Dickson & Co. of Prarie de Chian who has a Licence to
 trade for one year with the Sieoux he has 2 Batteaux loaded with
 Merchendize for that purpose. This Gentleman receved both Capt. Lewis
 and my Self with every mark of friendship he was himself at the time
 with a chill of the agu on him which he has had for Several days. our
 first enquirey was after the President of our country and then our
 friends and the State of the politicks of our country &c. and the State
 Indian affairs to all of which enquireys Mr. Aires gave us as
 Satisfactory information as he had it in his power to have Collected in
 the Illinois which was not a great deel. soon after we Landed a violent
 Storm of Thunder Lightning and rain from the N W. which was violent
 with hard Claps of thunder and Sharp Lightning which continued untill
 10 P M after which the wind blew hard. I set up late and partook of the
 tent of Mr. Aires which was dry. Mr. Aires unfortunately had his boat
 Sunk on the 25 of July last by a violent Storm of Wind and hail by
 which accident he lost the most of his usefull articles as he informd.
 us. this Gentleman informed us of maney Changes & misfortunes which had
 taken place in the Illinois amongst others the loss of Mr. Cady
 Choteaus house and furniture by fire. for this misfortune of our friend
 Choteaus I feel my Self very much Concernd &c. he also informed us that
 Genl. Wilkinson was the governor of the Louisiana and at St. Louis. 300
 of the american Troops had been Contuned on the Missouri a fiew miles
 above it's mouth, Some disturbance with the Spaniards in the Nackatosh
 Country is the Cause of their being Called down to that Country, the
 Spaniards had taken one of the U, States frigates in the Mediteranean,
 Two British Ships of the line had fired on an American Ship in the port
 of New York, and killed the Capts. brother. 2 Indians had been hung in
 St. Louis for murder and several others in jale. and that Mr. Burr &
 Genl. Hambleton fought a Duel, the latter was killed &c. &c. I am happy
 to find that my worthy friend Capt L's is so well as to walk about with
 ease to himself &c., we made 60 Miles to day the river much crowded
 with Sand bars, which are very differently Situated from what they were
 when we went up.
 
 
 [Clark, September 4, 1806]
 Thursday 4th September 1806
 The Musquitors became troublesom early this morning I rose at the usial
 hour found all the party as wet as rain could make them. as we were in
 want of Some tobacco I purposed to Mr. Airs to furnish us with 4
 Carrots for which we would Pay the amount to any Merchant of St. Louis
 he very readily agreed to furnish us with tobacco and gave to each man
 as much as it is necessary for them to use between this and St. Louis,
 an instance of Generossity for which every man of the party appears to
 acknowledge. Mr. Airs also insisted on our accepting a barrel of
 flourwe gave to this gentleman what Corn we Could Spear amounting to
 about 6 bushels, this Corn was well Calculated for his purpose as he
 was about to make his establishment and would have it in his power to
 hull the Corn & The flower was very acceptable to us. we have yet a
 little flour part of what we carried up from the Illinois as high as
 Maria's river and buried it there untill our return &c. at 8 A. M we
 took our leave and Set out, and proceeded on very well, at 11 A.M.
 passed the Enterance of the big Sieoux River which is low, and at
 meridian we came too at Floyds Bluff below the Enterance of Floyds
 river and assended the hill, with Capt Lewis and Several men, found the
 grave had been opened by the nativs and left half Covered. we had this
 grave Completely filled up, and returned to the Canoes and proceeded on
 to the Sand bar on which we encamped from the 12th to the 20th of
 August 1804 near the Mahar Village, here we came to and derected every
 wet article put out to dry, all the bedding of the party and Skins
 being wet. as it was late in the evening we deturmined to continue all
 night. had issued to each man of the party a cup of flour. we See no
 Species of Game on the river as usial except wild geese and pelicans. I
 observed near Sergt Floyds Grave a number of flurishing black walnut
 trees, these are the first which I have seen decending the river. a
 little before night Several Guns were heard below and in a direction
 towards the Mahar village which induced us to suspect that Mr.
 McClellin who we was informed was on his way up to trade with the
 Mahars had arived at the Creek below and that those reports of Guns was
 Some of his party out hunting. every thing being dry we derected the
 Perogue & Canoes to be loaded and in readiness to Set out in the
 morning early. at dark the Musquetors became troublesom and continued
 So all night the party obtained but little Sleep--we made 36 miles only
 to daye.
 
 
 [Clark, September 5, 1806]
 Friday 5th September 1806
 The Musquetors being So excessively tormenting that the party was all
 on board and we Set out at day light and proceeded on very well. here
 the river is bordered on both sides with timber &c becoms much narrower
 more Crooked and the Current more rapid and Crouded with Snags or
 Sawyers than it is above, and continus So all day. We did not meet with
 McClellen as we expected at the Creek. the report of the guns which was
 heard must have been the Mahars who most probably have just arrived at
 their village from hunting the buffalow. this is a Season they usialy
 return to their village to Secure their Crops of Corn Beens punkins &c
 &c. proceeded on very well passd. the blue Stone bluff at 3 P. M here
 the river leaves the high lands and meanders through a low rich bottom.
 Encamped on the S W Side on a Sand bar at a cut off a little below our
 Encampment of the 9th of August 1804. haveing made 73 Miles to day-
 Capt. Lewis still in a Convelesent State. We Saw no game on the Shores
 to day worth killig only Such as pelicans Geese ducks, Eagles and Hawks
 &c.-
 
 
 [Clark, September 6, 1806]
 Saturday 6th of September 1806
 The Musquetors excessively troublesom we Set out early at the great Cut
 off Saw a herd of Elk, we landed and Sent out Several hunters to kill
 Some of the Elk, they returnd. without killing any as the Elk was wild
 and ran off much fritened. I Sent the two Small Canoes on a head with
 derections to hunt in two bottoms below, and after a delay of half an
 hour proceeded on wind-hard a head at the lower point 7 of Pelecan
 Island a little above the Petite River de Seeoux we met a tradeing boat
 of Mr. Ag. Choteaux of St Louis bound to the River Jacque to trade with
 the Yanktons, this boat was in Care of a Mr. Henry Delorn, he had
 exposed all his loading and Sent out five of his hands to hunt they
 Soon arived with an Elk. we purchased a gallon of whiskey of this man
 and gave to each man of the party a dram which is the first Spiritious
 licquor which had been tasted by any of them Since the 4 of July 1805.
 Several of the party exchanged leather for linen Shirts and beaver for
 Corse hats. Those men Could inform us nothing more than that all the
 troops had movd. from the Illinois and that Genl. Wilkinson was
 prepareing to leave St. Louis. We advised this trader to treat the
 Tetons with as much Contempt as possible and Stated to him where he
 would be benefited by such treatment &c &c. and at 1 P. M Set out those
 men gave us 2 Shots from a Swivell they had on the bow of their boat
 which we returned in our turn. proceeded on about 3 miles and Came up
 with two of the hunters, they had not killd. any thing. at 5 miles we
 over took the Canoe of the other hunters with Shannon in it floating
 down, the two fields being in the woods behind we Came too on a Sand
 bar on the N. E. Side and delayed all the after part of the day for the
 two Fields, Sent out 3 men to hunt in the bottom up the river and
 observe if they Saw any Sign of the hunters. the evening proved Cloudy
 and the wind blew hard two pelicans were killed to day. we came 30
 Miles only to day the 2 fieldses did not join us I think they are
 below. The Chief & the Squaws & children are awarey of their journey.
 Children cry &c.
 
 
 [Clark, September 7, 1806]
 Sunday 7th September 1806
 as we were doubtfull that the two fieldses were behind I derected
 Sergt. Ordway with 4 men to Continue untill Meridian and if those men
 did not arive by that hour to proceed on. if we met with them at any
 Short distance a gun Should be fired which would be a Signal for him to
 proceed on. we had proceeded on about 8 miles by water and the distance
 through not more than 1 mile when we Saw the fire of those 2 men, I
 derected a gun fired as a Signal for Sergt. ordway to proceed on, and
 took the boys on board. they had killed nothing & informed me they had
 been Somewhat almd. at our delay, that the distance across from the
 little Sieoux river was about 1 1/2 miles only, the bottoms thick and
 Grass very high. we proceded on with a Stiff Breeze ahead (note the
 evaperation on this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we
 assended this river, and it now appears to be greater than it was at
 that time. I am obliged to replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh
 ink at least 9/10 of which must evaperate.) we proceded on to a bottom
 on the S W Side a little above the Soldiers river and Came too and Sent
 out all the hunters. they killed 3 Elk which was at no great distance
 we Sent out the men and had the flesh brought in Cooked and Dined.
 Sergt. Ordway Came up & after takeing a Sumptious Dinner we all Set out
 at 4 P M wind ahead as usial. at Dusk we came too on the lower part of
 a Sand bar on the S W side found the Musquetors excessively tormenting
 not withstanding a Stiff breeze from the S. E. a little after dark the
 wind increased the Musquetors dispersed our Camp of this night is about
 2 miles below our Encampment of the 4th of august 1804 ascending we
 came 44 miles to day only
 
 
 [Clark, September 8, 1806]
 Munday 8th September 1806
 Set out very early this morning, passed an old tradeing house on the S
 W Side a few miles above the Council bluffs, at 11 A M we Came too at
 the bluffs and Capt Lewis and myself walked up on the bluffs and around
 to examine the Country and Situation more particularly, the Situation
 appeared to us eaqually as eligable as when we passed up for an
 establishment, the hill high and Commanding with a high rich bottom of
 great extent below. we proceeded on very well all being anxious to get
 to the River Platt to day they ply'd their orers very well, and we
 arived at our old encampment at White Catfish Camp 12 miles above the
 river platt at which place we lay from the 22th to the 26th of July
 1804 here we encamped haveing made 78 Miles to day. The Missouri at
 this place does not appear to Contain more water than it did 1000 Miles
 above this, the evaperation must be emence; in the last 1000 miles this
 river receives the water 20 rivers and maney Creeks Several of the
 Rivers large and the Size of this river or the quantity of water does
 not appear to increas any-
 
 
 [Clark, September 9, 1806]
 Tuesday 9th September 1806
 Set out early at 8 A. M passed the enterance of the great river Platt
 which is at this time low the water nearly clear the Current turbelant
 as usial; the Sand bars which Choked up the Missouri and Confined the
 river to a narrow Snagey Chanel are wastd a way and nothing remains but
 a fiew Small remains of the bear which is covered with drift wood,
 below the R. Platt the Current of the Missouri becomes evidently more
 rapid than above and the Snags much more noumerous and bad to pass late
 in the evening we arived at the Bald pated prarie and encamped
 imediately opposit our encampment of the 16th and 17th of July 1804.
 haveing made 73 miles only to day. The river bottoms are extencive rich
 and Covered with tall large timber, and the hollows of the reveins may
 be Said to be covered with timber Such as Oake ash Elm and Some walnut
 & hickory. our party appears extreamly anxious to get on, and every day
 appears produce new anxieties in them to get to their Country and
 friends. My worthy friend Cap Lewis has entirely recovered his wounds
 are heeled up and he Can walk and even run nearly as well as ever he
 Could. the parts are yet tender &c. &.
 The Musquetors are yet troublesom, tho not So much So as they were
 above the River platt. the Climate is every day preceptably wormer and
 air more Sultery than I have experienced for a long time. the nights
 are now So worm that I sleep Comfortable under a thin blanket, a fiew
 days past 2 was not more than Sufficient
 
 
 [Clark, September 10, 1806]
 Wednesday 10th of September 1806
 we Set out very early this morning and proceeded on very well with wind
 moderately a head at ____ P M we met a Mr. Alexander La fass and three
 french men from St. Louis in a Small perogue on his way to the River
 Platt to trade with the Pania Luup or Wolf Indians. this man was
 extreemly friendly to us he offered us any thing he had, we axcepted of
 a bottle of whisky only which we gave to our party, Mr. la frost
 informed us that Genl. Wilkinson and all the troops had decended the
 Mississippi and Mr. Pike and young Mr. Wilkinson had Set out on an
 expedition up the Arkansaw river or in that direction after a delay of
 half an hour we proceedd on about 3 miles and met a large perogue and 7
 Men from St. Louis bound to the Mahars for the purpose of trade, this
 perogue was in Charge of a Mt. La Craw, we made Some fiew enquiries of
 this man and again proceeded on through a very bad part of the river
 Crouded with Snags & Sawyers and incamped on a Sand bar about 4 miles
 above the Grand Nemahar. we find the river in this timbered Country
 narrow and more moveing Sands and a much greater quantity of Sawyers or
 Snags than above. Great caution and much attention is required to Stear
 Clear of all those dificuelties in this low State of the water. we made
 65 Miles to day. we Saw Deer rackoons and turkies on the Shores to day
 one of the men killed a racoon which the indians very much admired.
 
 
 [Clark, September 11, 1806]
 Thursday 11th Septr. 1806
 a heavy Cloud and wind from the N W. detained us untill after Sunrise
 at which time we Set out and proceeded on very well, passed the nemahar
 which was low and did not appear as wide as when we passed up. Wolf
 river Scercely runs at all, at 3 P. M we halted a little above the
 Nadawa river on the S. Side of the Missouri to kill Some meat that
 which we killed a fiew days past being all Spoiled. Sent out 6 hunters
 they killed and brought in two Deer only, we proceeded on a fiew miles
 below the Nadawa Island and encamped on a Small Isld. near the N. E.
 Side, haveing Came 40 Miles only to day, river rapid and in maney
 places Crouded with Snag's. I observe on the Shores much deer Sign--the
 mosquitoes are no longer troublesome on the river, from what cause they
 are noumerous above and not So on this part of the river I cannot
 account. Wolves were howling in different directions this evening after
 we had encamped, and the barking of the little prarie wolves resembled
 those of our Common Small Dogs that 3/4 of the party believed them to
 be the dogs of Some boat assending which was yet below us. the barking
 of those little wolves I have frequently taken notice of on this as
 also the other Side of the Rocky mountains, and their Bark so much
 resembles or Sounds to me like our Common Small Cur dogs that I have
 frequently mistaken them for that Speces of dog--The papaws nearly ripe
 
 
 [Clark, September 12, 1806]
 Friday 12th of September 1806
 a thick fog a litile before day which blew off at day light. a heavy
 Dew this morning. we Set out at Sunrise the usial hour and proceeded on
 very well about 7 miles met 2 perogues from St. Louis one contained the
 property of Mr. Choteau bound to the panias on River Platt, the other
 going up trapping as high as the Mahars. here we met one of the french
 men who had accompanied us as high as the Mandans he informed us that
 Mr. McClellen was a fiew miles below the wind blew a head Soon after we
 pased those perogues, we Saw a man on Shore who informed us that he was
 one of Mr. McClellens party and that he was a Short distance below, we
 took this man on board and proceeded on and Met Mr. McClellin at the
 St. Michl. Prarie we came too here we found Mr. Jo. Gravelin the
 Ricaras enterpreter whome we had Sent down with a Ricaras Chief in the
 Spring of 1805 and old Mr. Durion the Sieux enterpreter, we examined
 the instructions of those interpreters and found that Gravelin was
 ordered to the Ricaras with a Speach from the president of the U.
 States to that nation and some presents which had been given the Ricara
 Cheif who had visited the U. States and unfortunately died at the City
 of Washington, he was instructed to teach the Ricaras agriculture &
 make every enquirey after Capt Lewis my self and the party Mr. Durion
 was enstructed to accompany Gravelin and through his influence pass him
 with his presents & by the tetons bands of Sieux, and to provale on
 Some of the Principal chiefs of those bands not exceeding six to Visit
 the Seat of the Government next Spring he was also enstructed to make
 every enquirey after us. we made Some Small addition to his
 instructions by extending the number of Chiefs to 10 or 12 or 3 from
 each band including the Yanktons &c. Mr. McClellin receved us very
 politely, and gave us all the news and occurrences which had taken
 place in the Illinois within his knowledge the evening proveing to be
 wet and Cloudy we Concluded to continue all night, we despatched the
 two Canoes a head to hunt with 5 hunters in them
 
 
 [Clark, September 13, 1806]
 Saturday 13th September 1806
 rose early Mr. McClellen gave each man a Dram and a little after
 Sunrise we Set out the wind hard a head from the S E at 8 A M we landed
 at the Camp of the 5 hunters whome we had Sent a head, they had killed
 nothing, the wind being too high for us to proceed in Safty through the
 emecity of Snags which was imediately below we concluded to lye by and
 Sent on the Small Canoes a Short distance to hunt and kill Some meat,
 we Sent out 2 men in the bottom they Soon returned with one turky and
 informed that the rushes was so high and thick that it was impossible
 to kill any deer. I felt my Self very unwell and derected a little
 Chocolate which Mr. McClellen gave us, prepared of which I drank about
 a pint and found great relief at 11 A.M. we proceeded on about 1 mile
 and come up with the hunters who had killed 4 deer, here we delayed
 untill 5 P. M when the hunters all joined us and we again proceded on
 down a fiew miles and encamped on the N E Side of the Missouri haveing
 decended 18 Miles only to day. the day disagreeably worm. one man
 George Shannon left his horn and pouch with his powder ball and knife
 and did not think of it untill night. I walked in the bottom in the
 thick rushes and the Growth of timber Common to the Illinois Such as
 cotton wood, Sycamore, ash mulberry, Elm of different Species, walnut,
 hickory, horn beem, pappaw arrow wood willow, prickly ash, &c and Grape
 vines, pees of 3 species &c &c. Birds most Common the buzzard Crow the
 hooting owl and hawks, &c. &c.-
 
 
 [Clark, September 14, 1806]
 Sunday 14th Sept. 1806
 Set out early and proceeded on very well. this being the part of the
 Missouri the Kanzas nation resort to at this Season of the year for the
 purpose of robbing the perogues passing up to other nations above, we
 have every reason to expect to meet with them, and agreeably to their
 Common Custom of examining every thing in the perogues and takeing what
 they want out of them, it is probable they may wish to take those
 liberties with us, which we are deturmined not to allow of and for the
 Smallest insult we Shall fire on them. at 2 P.M. a little below the
 lower of the old Kanzas Village we met three large boats bound to the
 Yanktons and Mahars the property of Mr. Lacroy, Mr. Aiten & Mr. Coutau
 all from St. Louis, those young men received us with great friendship
 and pressed on us Some whisky for our men, Bisquet, Pork and Onions, &
 part of their Stores, we continued near 2 hours with those boats,
 makeing every enquirey into the state of our friends and Country &c.
 those men were much affraid of meeting with the Kanzas. we Saw 37 Deer
 on the banks and in the river to Day 5 of which we killed those deer
 were Meager. we proceeded on to an Island near the middle of the river
 below our encampment of the 1st of July 1804 and encamped haveing
 decended only 53 miles to day. our party received a dram and Sung Songs
 untill 11 oClock at night in the greatest harmoney.
 
 
 [Clark, September 15, 1806]
 Monday 15th of September 1806
 we set out early with a Stiff Breeze a head saw Several deer Swiming
 the river soon after we Set out. at 11 A.M. passed the enterance of the
 Kanzas river which was very low, about a mile below we landed and Capt
 Lewis and my Self assended a hill which appeared to have a Commanding
 Situation for a fort, the Shore is bold and rocky imediately at the
 foot of the hill, from the top of the hill you have a perfect Command
 of the river, this hill fronts the Kanzas and has a view of the
 Missouri a Short distance above that river. we landed one time only to
 let the men geather Pappaws or the Custard apple of which this Country
 abounds, and the men are very fond of. we discovered a Buck Elk on a
 Small Island, and sent the 2 fields and Shannon in pursute of it they
 Soon Came up with and killed the Elk, he was large and in fine order we
 had his flesh Secured and divided. as the winds were unfabourable the
 greater part of the day we only decended 49 Miles and encamped a Short
 distance Above Hay Cabin Creek we are not tormented by the Musquetors
 in this lower portion of the river, as we were above the river plat and
 as high up as the Rochejhone and for a fiew miles up that river, and
 above its enterance into the Missouri. we passd Some of the most
 Charming bottom lands to day and the uplands by no means bad, all well
 timberd. the weather disagreeably worm and if it was not for the
 constant winds which blow from the S. and S E. we Should be almost
 Suficated Comeing out of a northern Country open and Cool between the
 Latd. Of 46° and 49° North in which we had been for nearly two years,
 rapidly decending into a woody Country in a wormer Climate between the
 Latds. 38°& 39° North is probably the Cause of our experiencing the heat
 much more Senceable than those who have Continued within the parralel
 of Latitude.
 
 
 [Clark, September 16, 1806]
 Tuesday 16th September 1806
 we Set out early this morning and proceded on tolerably well the Day
 proved excessively worm and disagreeable, So much So that the men rowed
 but little, at 10 A M we met a large tradeing perogue bound for the
 Panias we continued but a Short time with them. at 11 A. M we met young
 Mr. Bobidoux with a large boat of six ores and 2 Canoes, the licenes of
 this young man was to trade with the Panias Mahars and ottoes reather
 an extroadanary a license for young a man and without the Seal of the
 teritory anexed, as Genl. Wilkensons Signeture was not to this
 instrement we were Somewhat doubtfull of it. Mr. Browns Signeture we
 were not acquainted with without the Teritorial Seal. we made Some
 enquireys of this young man and Cautioned him against prosueing the
 Steps of his brother in attempting to degrade the American Charector in
 the eyes of the Indians. we proceeded on to an Island a little above
 our encampment of the 16th & 17th of June 1804 haveing Came 52 miles
 only to day.
 
 
 [Clark, September 17, 1806]
 Wednesday 17th September 1806
 We Set out as usial early pass the Island of the little Osage Village
 which is considered by the navigater of this river to be the worst
 place in it. at this place water of the Missouri is confined between an
 Island and the S E main Shore and passes through a narrow chanel for
 more than 2 miles which is crouded with Snags in maney places quite
 across obligeing the navigater to pica, his passage between those Snags
 as he can, in maney places the current passing with great velocity
 against the banks which cause them to fall &c. at 11 A.M. we met a
 Captain McClellin late a Capt. of Artily of the U States Army assending
 in a large boat. this gentleman an acquaintance of my friend Capt.
 Lewis was Somewhat astonished to See us return and appeared rejoiced to
 meet us. we found him a man of information and from whome we received a
 partial account of the political State of our Country, we were makeing
 enquires and exchangeing answers &c. untill near mid night. this
 Gentleman informed us that we had been long Since given out by the
 people of the U S Generaly and almost forgotton, the President of the
 U. States had yet hopes of us; we received some civilities of Capt.
 McClellin, he gave us Some Buisquit, Chocolate Sugar & whiskey, for
 which our party were in want and for which we made a return of a barrel
 of corn & much obliges to him. Capt. McClellin informed us that he was
 on reather a speculative expedition to the confines of New Spain, with
 the view to entroduce a trade with those people. his plan is to
 proceede up this river to the Entcrance of the river platt there to
 form an establishment from which to trade partially with the Panas &
 Ottoes, to form an acquaintance with the Panias and provail Some of
 their principal Chiefs to accompany him to Santa Fee where he will
 appear in a stile calculated to atract the Spanish government in that
 quarter and through the influence of a handsome present he expects to
 be promited to exchange his merchindize for Silver & gold of which
 those people abound. he has a kind of introductory Speach from Govr.
 Wilkinson to the Panias and Ottoes and a quantity of presents of his
 own which he purposes distributing to the Panias and ELeatans with a
 view to gain their protection in the execution of his plans, if the
 Spanish Governmt. favour his plans, he purposes takeing his merchendize
 on mules & horses which Can easily be procured of the panias, to Some
 point convenient to the Spanish Settlements within the Louisiana
 Teritory to which place the inhabitants of New mexico may meet him for
 the purpose of trade &c. Capt McClellins plan I think a very good one
 if strictly prosued &c.
 we Sent 5 hunters a head with directions to halt below Grand river and
 hunt untill we arived which would be in the morning. This day proved
 worme. we decended only 30 miles to day and encamped 4 miles above
 Grand river on S E. Side.
 
 
 [Clark, September 18, 1806]
 Thursday 18th of September 1806
 we rose early Capt McClellin wrote a letter and we took our leave, and
 proceeded on passed the Grand river at 7 A M. a Short distance below we
 came up with our hunters, they had killed nothing. at 10 oClock we Came
 too and gathered pottows to eate we have nothing but a fiew Buisquit to
 eate and are partly compelled to eate poppows which we find in great
 quantities on the Shores, the weather we found excessively hot as
 usial. the lands fine particularly the bottoms. a charming Oake bottom
 on the S E Side of the Missouri above the 2 Charletons rivers we find
 the Current of this part of the Missouri much more jentle than it was
 as we assended, the water is now low and where it is much confin'd it
 is rapid. we saw very little appearance of deer, Saw one bear at a
 distance and 3 turkeys only to day. our party entirely out of
 provisions Subsisting on poppaws. we divide the buiskit which amounted
 to nearly one buisket per man, this in addition to the poppaws is to
 last is down to the Settlement's which is 150 miles the party appear
 perfectly contented and tell us that they can live very well on the
 pappaws. we made 52 miles to day only. one of our party J. Potts
 complains very much of one of his eyes which is burnt by the Sun from
 exposeing his face without a cover from the Sun. Shannon also complains
 of his face & eyes &c. Encamped on an Island nearly opposit to the
 enterance of Mine river.
 
 
 [Clark, September 19, 1806]
 Friday 19th of Sept. 1806
 Set out this morning a little after day & proceeded on very well the
 men ply their oares & we decended with great velocity, only Came too
 once for the purpose of gathering pappows, our anxiety as also the wish
 of the party to proceed on as expeditiously as possible to the Illinois
 enduce us to continue on without halting to hunt. we Calculate on
 ariveing at the first Settlements on tomorrow evening which is 140
 miles, and objecet of our party is to divide the distance into two
 days, this day to the Osarge River, and tomorrow to the Charriton a
 Small french Village--we arived at the Enterance of Osage River at dark
 and encamped on the Spot we had encamped on the 1st & 2d of June 1804
 haveing Came 72 miles. a very singular disorder is takeing place
 amongst our party that of the Sore eyes. three of the party have their
 eyes inflamed and Sweled in Such a manner as to render them extreamly
 painfull, particularly when exposed to the light, the eye ball is much
 inflaimed and the lid appears burnt with the Sun, the cause of this
 complaint of the eye I can't account for. from it's Sudden appearance I
 am willing to believe it may be owing to the reflection of the Sun on
 the water
 
 
 [Clark, September 20, 1806]
 Saturday 20th Septr. 1806
 as three of the party was unabled to row from the State of their eyes
 we found it necessary to leave one of our Crafts and divide the men
 into the other Canoes, we left the two Canoes lashed together which I
 had made high up the River Rochejhone, those Canoes we Set a drift and
 a little after day light we Set out and proceeded on very well. The
 Osage river very low and discharges but a Small quantity of water at
 this time for so large a river. at meridian we passed the enterance of
 the Gasconnade river below which we met a perogue with 5 french men
 bound to the Osarge Gd. village. the party being extreemly anxious to
 get down ply their ores very well, we Saw Some cows on the bank which
 was a joyfull Sight to the party and Caused a Shout to be raised for
 joy at ____ P M we Came in Sight of the little french Village called
 Charriton the men raised a Shout and Sprung upon their ores and we soon
 landed opposit to the Village. our party requested to be permited to
 fire off their Guns which was alowed & they discharged 3 rounds with a
 harty Cheer, which was returned from five tradeing boats which lay
 opposit the village. we landed and were very politely received by two
 young Scotch men from Canada one in the employ of Mr. Aird a Mr. ____
 and the other Mr. Reed, two other boats the property of Mr. Lacomb &
 Mr. ____ all of those boats were bound to the Osage and Ottoes. those
 two young Scotch gentlemen furnished us with Beef flower and Some pork
 for our men, and gave us a very agreeable supper. as it was like to
 rain we accepted of a bed in one of their tents. we purchased of a
 Citizen two gallons of Whiskey for our party for which we were obliged
 to give Eight dollars in Cash, an imposition on the part of the
 Citizen. every person, both French and americans Seem to express great
 pleasure at our return, and acknowledged them selves much astonished in
 Seeing us return. they informed us that we were Supposed to have been
 lost long Since, and were entirely given out by every person &c.
 Those boats are from Canada in the batteaux form and wide in perpotion
 to their length. their length about 30 feet and the width 8 feet &
 pointed bow & Stern, flat bottom and rowing Six ores only the
 Skeneckeity form. those Bottoms are prepared for the navigation of this
 river, I beleive them to be the best Calculated for the navigation of
 this river of any which I have Seen. they are wide and flat not Subject
 to the dangers of the roleing Sands, which larger boats are on this
 river. the American inhabitants express great disgust for the govermt
 of this Teritory. from what I can lern it arises from a disapmt. of
 getting all the Spanish Grants Confirmed-. Came 68 ms. to day.
 
 
 [Clark, September 21, 1806]
 Sunday 21st Septr. 1806
 rose early this morning Colected our men Several of them had axcepted
 of the invitation of the Citizens and visited their families. at half
 after 7 A. M we Set out. passed 12 canoes of Kickapoos assending on a
 hunting expedition. Saw Several persons also Stock of different kind on
 the bank which reviv'd the party very much. at 3 P M we met two large
 boats assending. at 4 P M we arived in Sight of St. Charles, the party
 rejoiced at the Sight of this hospital village plyed thear ores with
 great dexterity and we Soon arived opposit the Town, this day being
 Sunday we observed a number of Gentlemen and ladies walking on the
 bank, we Saluted the Village by three rounds from our blunderbuts and
 the Small arms of the party, and landed near the lower part of the
 town. we were met by great numbers of the inhabitants, we found them
 excessively polite. we received invitations from Several of those
 Gentlemen a Mr. Proulx, Taboe, Decett, Tice Dejonah & Quarie and
 several who were pressing on us to go to their houses, we could only
 visit Mr. Proulx and Mr. Deucett in the course of the evening. Mr.
 Querie under took to Supply our party with provisions &c. the
 inhabitants of this village appear much delighted at our return and
 seem to vie with each other in their politeness to us all. we Came only
 48 miles today. the banks of the river thinly Settled &c.
 
 
 [Clark, September 22, 1806]
 Monday 22nd of Sept. 1806
 This morning being very wet and the rain Still Continueing hard, and
 our party being all Sheltered in the houses of those hospitable people,
 we did not think proper to proceed on untill after the rain was over,
 and continued at the house of Mr. Proulx. I took this oppertunity of
 writeing to my friends in Kentucky &c. at 10 A M. it seased raining and
 we Colected our party and Set out and proceeded on down to the
 Contonemt. at Coldwater Creek about 3 miles up the Missouri on it's
 Southern banks, at this place we found Colo. Hunt & a Lieut Peters &
 one Company of Artillerists we were kindly received by the Gentlemen of
 this place. Mrs. Wilkinson the Lady of the Govr. & Genl. we wer Sorry
 to find in delicate health.
 we were honored with a Salute of ____ Guns and a harty welcom at this
 place there is a publick Store kept in which I am informed the U. S
 have 60000$ worth of indian Goods
 
 
 [Clark, September 23, 1806]
 Thursday 23rd of Septr. 1806
 we rose early took the Chief to the publick store & furnished him with
 Some clothes &c. took an early breckfast with Colo. Hunt and Set out
 decended to the Mississippi and down that river to St. Louis at which
 place we arived about 12 oClock. we Suffered the party to fire off
 their pieces as a Salute to the Town. we were met by all the village
 and received a harty welcom from it's inhabitants &. here I found my
 old acquaintance Majr. W. Christy who had Settled in this town in a
 public line as a Tavern Keeper. he furnished us with Store rooms for
 our baggage and we accepted of the invitation of Mr. Peter Choteau and
 took a room in his house we payed a friendly visit to Mr August Chotau
 and Some of our old friends this evening. as the post had departed from
 St. Louis Capt Lewis wrote a note to Mr. Hay in Kahoka to detain the
 post at that place untill 12 tomorrow which was reather later than his
 usial time of leaveing it
 
 
 [Clark, September 24, 1806]
 Wednesday 24th of September 1806
 I sleped but little last night however we rose early and Commencd
 wrighting our letters Capt. Lewis wrote one to the presidend and I
 wrote Govr. Harrison & my friends in Kentucky and Sent of George
 Drewyer with those letters to Kohoka & delivered them to Mr. Hays &. we
 dined with Mr. Chotoux to day, and after dinner went to a Store and
 purchased Some Clothes, which we gave to a Tayler and derected to be
 made. Capt Lewis in opening his trunk found all his papers wet, and
 Some Seeds spoiled
 
 
 [Clark, September 25, 1806]
 Thursday 25th of Septr. 1806
 had all of our Skins &c. Suned and Stored away in a Storeroom of Mr.
 Caddy Choteau. payed Some visits of form, to the gentlemen of St.
 Louis. in the evening a dinner & Ball
 
 
 [Clark, September 26, 1806]
 Friday 26th of September 1806
 a fine morning we commenced wrighting &c.