Journals of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition

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Your search returned 608 results from all items Search Only Journals

November 13, 1804 - Clark, William
  • 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 (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) the Mandin (Mandan Indians) Chief and Lagru (La Grue) [NB: Fr: name] Che Chark (La Grue) 〈Christans a〉 〈Ossiniboin (Assiniboine Indians) 〉 Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan (Fort Mandan (N. Dak.)) , I gave him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with his people & a Gold Cord with a view to Know him again, The nation [NB: bands] [NB: This Chief was one of 3 bands of Assns (Assiniboine Indians) who rove between the Missouri (Missouri River) & Assn river (Assiniboine River) .
  • Apparently Clark (Clark, William) first identified La Grue (La Grue) as a "Kristinaux (Cree Indians) ," that is, a Cree (Cree Indians) (see below, November 14, 1804), then crossed this out because the chief was actually an Assiniboine (Assiniboine Indians) , which designation he also lined through. 4.
  • November 13, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 9, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 9th of March Satturday 1805 a Cloudy Cold and windey morning    wind from the North—    walked up to See the Party that is makeing Perogues, about 5 miles above this, the wind hard and Cold    on my way up I met The [NB: The Borgne] (Le Borgne (One Eye)) Main Chief of the Manitarres (Hidatsa Indians) with four Indians [NB: see note of 9 March after] on Thier way to [NB: 10th March 1805] See us, I requested him to proceed on to the fort where he would find Capt. Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether)    I should be there my Self in corse of a fiew hours, Sent the interpeter back with him and proceeded on my Self to the Canoes    found them nearly finished, the timber verry bad, after visiting all the perogues where I found a number of Indans I wind to the upper mandan (Mandan Indians) Village & Smoked a pipe the greatest mark of friendship and attention with the Chief and returned    on my return found the Manitarree (Hidatsa Indians) Chief about Setting out on his return to his village, having recieved of Captain M.
  • It was also used as merchandise in the Indian trade and as a gift to chiefs. Criswell, 43; Woodward, 25–26, 30–37.
  • March 9, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 26th of October Friday 1804 Set out early    wind from the S W    proceeded on    Saw numbers of the Mandins (Mandan Indians) on Shore, we Set the Ricare (Arikara Indians) Chief on Shore, and we proceeded on to the Camp of two of their Grand Chiefs where we delayed a fiew minits, with the Chiefs and proceeded on takeing two of their Chiefs on board & Some of the heavy articles of his house hole, Such as earthen pots & Corn, proceeded on, at this Camp Saw a [NB: Mr] McCracken (McCracken, Hugh) Englishmon from the N.
  • Soon after our arrival many men women & Children flocked down to See us, Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) walked to the village with the principal Chiefs and our interpters, my rhumatic Complaint increasing I could not go—    if I was well only one would have left the Boat & party untill we new the Disposition of the 〈party〉 Inds.
  • October 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 30, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • this they call merrit &.C    they would confess how many they had killed & of what nation they were off & how many horses they had Stole &-C—they Camped along Side of us & behaved honestly & cleaver &C. &C— N. B. The Chiefs had time untill next morning to give answers to the questions which had been asked them by Capt.
  • Clark (Clark, William) identifies the principal chief as "Shake Hand (The Shake Hand) ," a name that bears no apparent relation to Ordway's (Ordway, John) rendition of the Dakota or French. See Ordway's (Ordway, John) next entry for a discussion of the identity of the Indian chiefs.
  • August 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
April 28, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • So our officers concluded to Stay this day.    the head chief brought up a good horse & Said he wished to give it to us but as he was poor he wished us to give him Some kind of a kittle, but as we could not Spare a kittle Capt.
  • they tryed to learn Singing with us with a low voice.    the head chief then made a Speech & it was repeated by a warrier that all might hear.   
  • Sacagawea (Sacagawea) . Yelleppit (Yelleppit) , chief of the Walulas (Walula Indians) , is discussed at Clark's (Clark, William) entry of October 19, 1805.
  • April 28, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
October 18, 1805 - Clark, William
  • &c. this was conveyed by Signs thro: our 2 Chiefs who accompanied us, and was understood, we made a 2d Chief and gave Strings of wompom to them all in remembrance of what we Said—    four men in a Canoe came up from a large encampment on an Island in the River about 8 miles below, they delayed but a fiew minits and returned, without Speaking a word to us.
  • every thing being arranged we took in our Two Chiefs, and Set out on the great Columbia river (Columbia River) , haveing left our guide and the two young men two of them 〈not〉 enclined not to proceed on any further, and the 3rd could be of no Service to us as he did not know the river below Took our leave of the Chiefs and all those about us and proceeded on down the great Columbia river (Columbia River)    passed a large Island at 8 miles about 3 miles in length, a Island on the Stard.
  • Side is nine large Lodges of Indians Drying fish on Scaffolds as above    at this place we were called to land, as it was near night and no appearance of wood, we proceeded on about 2 miles lower to Some willows, at which place we observed a drift log    formed a Camp on the Lard Side under a high hill nearly opposit to five Lodges of Indians; Soon after we landed, our old Chiefs informed us that the large camp above "was the Camp of the 1st Chief of all the tribes in this quarter, and that he had called to us to land and Stay all night with him, that he had plenty of wood for us &"    This would have been agreeable to us if it had have been understood perticelarly as we were compelled to Use drid willows for fuel for the purpose of cooking, we requested the old Chiefs to walk up on the Side we had landed and call to the Chief to come down and Stay with us all night which they did; late at night the Chief came down accompanied by 20 men, and formed a Camp a Short distance above, the chief brought with him a large basket of mashed berries which he left at our Lodge as a present.
  • October 18, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 8, 1806 - Clark, William
  • M. we loaded up and Set on on the roade leading as we were informed to the lodge of the twisted hair (Twisted Hair (Walamotinin)) , the Chief in whoes Care we had left our horses.    we were accompanied by the Cut nose (Cut Nose) Chief our old Chief who had accompanied us down the river and Several men.   
  • he also informed us that the great Chief hering of our distressed Situation had Sent his Son and 4 men to meet us and have us furnished on the way &c.   
  • and the day after tomorrow to proceed on to the lodge of the Grand Chief.    accordingly we informed the Indians of our intentions.    we all Smoked and conversed untill about 10 P M.   
  • May 8, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
Images from the Gallery of the Open Frontier
  • Pacer (Peso, Essa-queta) Pacer (Peso, Essa-queta), a Kiowa-Apache chief; wearing earrings. Peso, Essa-queta 75-bae-2581a Collection: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs—William S.
  • Tribal chiefs
  • N.D.
  • Images
Lewis & Clark among the Indians 4. The Mandan Winter
  • Leadership in the village, as recognized by Lewis and Clark, came from First Chief Ompsehara, or Black Moccasin, and Second Chief Ohharh, or Little Fox.
  • Once in the village, the explorer was greeted by several chiefs. Although Clark did not record which chiefs were present, it is most likely that he met Sheheke and perhaps Little Raven, the Second Chief.
  • On his way back to the keelboat, Clark met Tatuckcopinreha, chief of Mahawha, and Little Crow, a prominent Mandan and second chief at Mitutanka.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • James P. Ronda
Lewis & Clark among the Indians 2. The Teton Confrontation
  • As Clark and his men stood by the pirogue, the chiefs walked down the bank for a private council. After waiting some time, Clark approached the chiefs and offered to shake hands.
  • Again hindered by the lack of a skilled interpreter, Lewis and Clark understood little of what the chief said. Clark recorded in his journal that the chief spoke "to the same purpose" as did the Brulé elder.
  • Tactfully, they suggested to the chiefs that everyone must now be tired. Taking the hint, the chiefs ended the festivities and returned with the captains to spend the night on the keelboat.
  • N.D.
  • Texts
  • James P. Ronda
August 15, 1806 - Clark, William
  • being informed by one of our enterpreters that the 2d Chief of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Comonly Called the little Crow (Little Crow (Ka-goh-ha-me)) intended to accompany us down, I took Charbono (Charbonneau, Toussaint) and walked to the Village to See this Chief and talk with him on the Subject.   
  • The Maharha (Hidatsa Indians, Awaxawi) Chief brought us Some Corn, as did also the Chief of the little village of the Menetarras (Hidatsa Indians) on mules of which they have Several.   
  • The sheer numbers of whites in the East often impressed Western Indian chiefs more than anything else on their travels to Washington (Washington D.C.) .
  • August 15, 1806
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
May 8, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • we met the twisted hair (Twisted Hair (Walamotinin)) the chief of the Chopen-nish tribe (Flathead Indians) who we left our horses with.   
  • (Shoshone Indians) to ask him where our horses were but he did not incline to Speak, So we proced on to a small run where we Camped.    the chiefs kept themselves at a distance for a while then by an invitation came and Smoaked and the intreptrs Spoke & we got information concerng our horses and found that the twisted hair (Twisted Hair (Walamotinin)) & the head chief cut nose (Cut Nose) as we call him is not at a good understanding with each other respecting our horses, caused by jealousy but informd. us that the most of our horses and pack Saddles were Safe, but Some of boath had been use of by the admittance of the head chief.   
  • May 8, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 31, 1804 - Clark, William
  • My Father —    my father was a Chief, and you have made me a Chief    I now think I am a chief agreeable to your word as I am a young man and inexperienced, cannot say much    What the Great Chief has Said is as much as I could Say— Par nar ne Ar par be (Struck by a Ree (Parnarne Arparbe, Pan-dan-apappy))    Struck by the Pana (Struck by a Ree (Parnarne Arparbe, Pan-dan-apappy)) [Pawnee] 3d Chief My father's    I cant Speek much    I will Speek a litle to you My fathers. —    ther's the Chiefs you have made high, we will obey them, as also my young men, the Pipe I hold in my hand is the pipe of my father, I am pore as you See, take pity on me    I believe what you have Said My fathers —    You think the great meadel you gave My great Chief pleases me and the small one you gave me gives me the heart to go with him to See my Great father. What the Great Chief has Said is all I could Say. I am young and Cant Speek.
  • I was on[c]e a Chiefs boy    now I am a man and a Chief of Some note My Fathr's—    I am glad you have made my old Chief a fine and a great man, I have been a great warrier but now I here your words, I will berry my hatchet and be at peace with all & go with my Great Chief to see my great father.
  • August 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 27, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) & the Chiefs went on Shore, as a verry large part of their nation was Comeing in, the Disposition of whome I did not know one of us being Suffcent on Shore, I wrote a letter to Mr.
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) returned with 4 Chiefs & a Brave man [NB: Conside man] named War cha pa (On His Guard) or on his Guard (On His Guard) .   
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) came on Shore and we Continued untill we were Sleepy & returned to our boat, the 2nd Chief & one principal man accompanid us, those two Indians accompanied me on board in the Small Perogue, Capt.
  • September 27, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 27, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • About 3 o'clock we went aboard the boat accompanied with the old chief and his little son. In the evening Captain Clarke (Clark, William) and some of the men went over, and the Indians made preparations for a dance.
  • In this manner they continued till 1 o'clock at night, when we returned to the boat with two of the chiefs. On coming aboard, the periogue run across the bow of the boat and broke the cable.
  • Not identified, but the captains regarded Black Buffalo (Black Buffalo) as the ranking chief. On September 30, Gass (Gass, Patrick) calls Buffalo Medicine (Buffalo Medicine (Tar-ton-gar-wa-ker)) "our old chief."
  • September 27, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
April 7, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • Ree (Arikara Indians) to our officers with news that 3 of the Souix (Sioux Indians) chiefs was going down on the Big barge to see their Great father and that Some of the Rick a Ree (Arikara Indians) chiefs was going also.   
  • we Set three of Sd. Rick Rees (Arikara Indians) chiefs across the River.    the other one being lame Stayed in order to go down to his nation in the Barge.
  • their was 10 which went down in the barge, but only two who had engaged for the route.— Clark (Clark, William) mentioned only one chief, Kakawita (Raven Man (Kakawita)) or Raven Man (Raven Man (Kakawita)) .
  • April 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
November 30, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 30h of Nov.    an Indian Chief Came and informed us that five Men of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) Nation was on a hunting party to the S W, distance about Eight Leagues, they were Surprised    one man Killed two wounded and nine horses taken, Severale others men wet on hunting partes & were to have returned Several days ago & had not yet returned, & that they expected to be attacked by an army of Sioux (Sioux Indians)    I took 23 men and went to the Village deturmined to Collect the warriers of the Different Villages and meet the Sioux (Sioux Indians) —    The village not expecting Such Strong aid in So Short a time was a little alarmed of the formable appearance of my party—    The principal Chiefs met me at 200 yards Distance from the Town, and envited me to his Lodge. I told the Nation the Cause of Comeing &. was to assist in Chastiseing the enimies of my Dutifull Children—    I requested great Chief to repeat the Cercunstance of the Sioux (Sioux Indians) attack as it realy happined which he did—    I told them to Send runners to the other villages & assemble the warriers & we Would go and Chastize the Sioux (Sioux Indians) for Spilling the Blood of my Dutifull Children—    after a Conversation of a few minits amongst themselves, a Chief Said that they now Saw that what we had told them was the trooth and we were ready to protect them and Kill those who did not listen to our Councils (and after a long Speech) he concluded    Said ["]the Sious (Sioux Indians) who Spilt our Blood is gorn home—    The Snow is deep and it is Cold, our horses Cannot Travel thro the plains in pursute—    If you will go and conduct us in the Spring after the Snow is gorn, we will assemble all the warriers & Brave men in all the villages and go with you."
  • November 30, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 23, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark Septr. 23rd Sunday Traded with the Indians, made 3 Chiefs and gave them meadels & Tobacco & Handkerchif & knives, and a flag & left a Flag & hand kerches for the great Chief when he returns from war, in the evening proceeded to the 2d Vilg 2 miles, a hard wind and rain at dark, traded for Some root Bread & Skins to make Shirts.   
  • September 23, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 12, 1804 - Clark, William
  • you come to See the water & roads to Clear them as Clear as possible you just now Come to See us, & we wish you to tell our Grand ftar that we wish the road to be kept Clear & open. I expect the Chief in the next Town will tell you the Same to move on & open the road I think when you Saw the nations below the[y] wish you to open the road—    (or something to that amount: when you passd. the Souex (Sioux Indians) they told you the Same I expect.   
  • I always look at the 1t Chief & the 2d whin they go & will also follow ther example & go on also You See those 2 men they are chiefs, when I go they will take Care, they beleve your words.
  • What is the matter if we was to go for nothing    my great Chief wish to go, I wish to go also. when I go to See my Grand father I wish to return quicke for fear of my people being uneasy.
  • October 12, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 29, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • At 11 o'clock, when the Council met, a shot was fired from our bow piece, and the commanding officers took the chiefs by the hand. Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) , through an interpreter, delivered a speech; gave a suit of clothes to each of the chiefs and some articles for their villages. He also sent a suit to the chief of the Grossventers (Hidatsa Indians) . At three o'clock another gun was fired at the breaking up of the council, and they all appeared satisfied.
  • October 29, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
August 15, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • Clark (Clark, William) went over and tryed to perswade Some of the chief of that village to go down with us but they could not find any one willing to go with us.    the chiefs of the 1st village wished us to Stay 1 or 2 days longer with them    we gave the Swivvel to the Big Belleys or Grousevauntaus (Hidatsa Indians) .— Simlins, which are summer squashes.
  • Big White (Big White (Sheheke)) , or Sheheke (Big White (Sheheke)) , and Little Crow (Little Crow (Ka-goh-ha-me)) were the principal chiefs of Mitutanka (Mitutanka (Matootonha) village) , but Clark (Clark, William) seems to have visited only with Little Crow (Little Crow (Ka-goh-ha-me)) on this day.
  • August 15, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
December 24, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 24 December Monday 1804 Several Chiefs and members 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, which they lay great value (priseing those felets equal to a fine horse[)], a fine Day    we finished the pickingen [NB: Riqueting] around our works
  • December 24, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 3, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 3rd of March Sunday 1805 a fine Day    wind from the W, a large flock of Ducks pass up the River—visited by the black Cat (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) , Chief of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) 2d Cheif and a Big Belley (Hidatsa Indians) , they Stayed but a Short time    we informed those Chiefs of the news recved from the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) , all hands employd
  • March 3, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 12, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark 12th of October Friday    after Brackfast we joined the Chiefs & Indians on the bank who wer waiting for us, and proseeded to the 1st village and Lodge of the Pocasse (Hay (Pocasse)) , This man Spok at Some lengths, to the Sam[e] purpote of the 1s Chief, & Declareing his intentions of visiting his great father, Some Doubts as to his Safty in Passing the Sioux (Sioux Indians) , requested us to take a Chief of their nation and make a good peace with the Mandan (Mandan Indians) for them, that they Knew that they were the Cause of the war by Killing the 2 Mandan (Mandan Indians) Chiefs—    this Chief & people gave us about 7 bushels of Corn, Some Tobacco of their own make, and Seed Legins & a Robe    We proceeded to the 3rd Chiefs Village which is the largest, after the usial Seremoney of Eating Smokg. &. he Spoke to near the Same amount of the last Chief, & more pleasently, he gave us 10 bushels of Corn, Some Beens & Simmins, after he had Spoken, and [I] gave Some Sketches of the Power & Magnitude of Our Countrey, we returned to our Boat, I have the rhumetism on my neck [blot]    the Chiefs accompanied us on board, w[e] gave them Some Sugar Salt and a Sun Glass each, and after eating a little they returned on Shore leaveing one to accompany us to the Mandans (Mandan Indians) , and we Set out viewed by men womin & children of each village    proceeded on about 9½ miles and Camped on the S S.   
  • For his speech and that of the next chief see below in this day's entry. Nicotiana quadrivalvis Pursh.
  • October 12, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 28, 1804 - Clark, William
  • We could not meet the Indians in Councils, those who visited us we Sent to the nearest village, Consulted the Black Cat (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) M Chief about the Chiefs of the Different Villages, who gave his Oppinion to us.
  • The captains were impressed with this chief's intelligence and friendliness, and thought he would be useful to American interests.
  • October 28, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
April 7, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Whitehouse Sunday April 7th    This day we had fair weather,—    in the morning the Rick a Rees (Arikara Indians) chief came to the Fort, on a Visit to our Officers; he informed them, that the Chiefs of their Nation, was ready to descend the River in our boat, in Order to pay a Visit to the President of the United States.   
  • They are of a very light Colour, the Men are very well featur'd and Stout; the Women are in general handsome; this Town or Village Contains from the best calculation we could make 2,000 Inhabitants, they are Governed by a Chief called the Big White (Big White (Sheheke)) and the Indians here live to a very old age, numbers being 100 Years old.— Kakawita (Raven Man (Kakawita)) , or Raven Man (Raven Man (Kakawita)) , an Arikara (Arikara Indians) chief; see Clark's (Clark, William) entry for the date.
  • April 7, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 26, 1805 - Gass, Patrick
  • In the afternoon about 20 of the natives came to our camp (among whom were the head chiefs of the two villages about the falls) who had been out hunting when we passed down. The Commanding Officers gave medals to the chiefs, and some other small articles; and they appeared satisfied and some remained with us all night.
  • October 26, 1805
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
October 12, 1804 - Gass, Patrick
  • We had a pleasant morning, and remained here the forenoon to hear the chief of this village speak. Last night the Indians stole an axe from our cook, which of course in some degree diminished our confidence, and lessened the amicable character we had conceived of them. At 9 o'clock Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) , Captain Clarke (Clark, William) and myself went to the 2nd Village, and talked with its chief; then to the third Village, about half a mile beyond a small creek, and talked with the chief of that Village; and got some corn and beans from them.
  • October 12, 1804
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
October 31, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Clark [undated, October 31, 1804] black Cat (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) or Pose-cop-sa-he (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) 1st Chief of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) & 2d Village "I believe what you have told us in Council, & that peace will be general, which not only givs me pleasure, but Satisfaction to all the nation, they now Can hunt without fear, and our womin Can work in the fields without looking every moment for the enimey—"    as to the Ricares (Arikara Indians) we will Show you that we wish piace with all, and do not make [war] on any with out Cause, that Chief pointing to the 2d of the Village and Some young men will accompany the Ricrea (Arikara Indians) Chief home to his Nation to Smoke with that people—    When the Indians of the Different Villages heard of your Comeing up they all Came in from hunting to See, they expected Great presents.   
  • October 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 6, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Gravolin (Gravelines, Joseph) our Ricara (Arikara Indians) Interpreter & 2 of our french hands & 2 boys Set out in a Canoe for the Ricaras (Arikara Indians)    Mr. ravelli[n] (Gravelines, Joseph) is to accompany the Ricaras (Arikara Indians) Chiefs to the City of Washington (Washington D.C.) in the Spring, Great numbers of Geese pass to the South which is a certain approach of ice— Arketarnashar (Toone) , or Piaheto (Toone) , the chief Gravelines (Gravelines, Joseph) accompanied, died in Washington (Washington D.C.)
  • November 6, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
November 10, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • Ordway Saturday 10th Nov. Cloudy & cold.    the 2nd Chief & a Squaw came from the 1st village down in a buffaloe hide cannoe.   
  • Probably Sho-ta-harro-ra (Coal, The (Sho-ta-harro-ra)) , The Coal (Coal, The (Sho-ta-harro-ra)) , the second chief of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) and apparently an Arikara (Arikara Indians) by birth, from Mitutanka (Mitutanka (Matootonha) village) .
  • November 10, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
March 9, 1805 - Ordway, John
  • a nomber of the Savages called the Big Belleys (Hidatsa Indians) , chiefs came to the Fort to See the Commanding officers    Capt. Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Shewed them the air Gun quadron & Spy Glass &.C. which they thought was Great Medicines. Among them Le Borgne (Le Borgne (One Eye)) , or One Eye (Le Borgne (One Eye)) , principal chief of the Hidatsas (Hidatsa Indians) . The expedition's quadrant.
  • March 9, 1805
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
August 21, 1806 - Gass, Patrick
  • When we halted and landed at the villages, the natives generally assembled, and Captain Clarke (Clark, William) held a council with them; when they declared they would live in peace with all nations; but that their chiefs and warriors would not go to the United States at present, as they had sent one chief already, and he had not returned.
  • Captain Clarke (Clark, William) gave one of their chiefs a medal, which he gave back with a buffaloe robe, and said he was afraid of white people, and did not like to take any thing from them: but after some persuasion he accepted the meadal, and we left them.
  • McKeehan's (McKeehan, David) note: "We think that some further proof is necessary to establish the weakness and superstition of these Indians. Had the chief persevered in his rejection of the medal, we, instead of thinking him silly and superstitious, would have been inclined to the opinion, that he was the wisest Indian on the Missouri (Missouri River) ."
  • August 21, 1806
  • Journals
  • Gass, Patrick
October 17, 1804 - Clark, William
  • I walked on Shore with the Ricara (Arikara Indians) Chief and an Inteprieter, the[y] told me maney extroadenary Stories, I Killed 3 Dear & a Elk, the Chief Killed a Deer and our hunters Killed 4 Deer, in my absenc the wind rose So high that the Boat lay too all Day; Latd 46° 23' 57" N, I caught a Small uncommon whiperwill    we observe emence herds of Goats, or Antelopes flocking down from the N E Side & Swiming the River, the Chief tels me those animals winter in the Black Mountain (Black Hills) , and in the fall return to those mounts from every quarter, and in the Spring disperse in the planes, those emence herds we See all of which is on the N E Side of the River is on their way to the mountain, and in the Spring they will be as noumeroes on their return (some ganges winter on the Missouri (Missouri River) )—    camped on the L.
  • October 17, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
June 2, 1806 - Ordway, John
  • So Some of our men went and Shot him &C.    towards evening the head chief of the cho-pennish (Nez Perce Indians) nation came to our Camp with George Drewyer (Drouillard, George) and brought and gave up a tommahawk which Capt Clark (Clark, William) lost last fall which the chief kept for us. Camp Chopunnish (Camp Chopunnish (Idaho)) . Actually two chiefs, Cut Nose (Cut Nose) and Hohots Ilppilp (Hohots Ilppilp) . Actually two, report Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark (Clark, William) , one of which had been stolen and was Sergeant Floyd's (Floyd, Charles) , which Clark (Clark, William) hoped to return to the dead soldier's friends.
  • June 2, 1806
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
September 28, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • about 9 oClock we went to Set off    Some of the chiefs was then on board and concluded to go a little ways with us.   
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) was near cutting the cable with his Sword and giving orders for the party to fire on them.    then the chiefs went out and Spoke to them.    they Said if we would Give them a carrit of tobacco they would loose the rope.    we gave them tobacco.    the chief after Some hesitation loosed the rope himself.    we then Set of[f] under a fine breese of wind.   
  • September 28, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
September 23, 1805 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • a Small peace of red cloath, as wide as a mans hand they gave as much for as they would for double the value in any other article.    our officers gave the chiefs of this village a flag & one to the chief of the next village about 2 miles further on our road, which they hoisted.   
  • They gave our Officers for a Small piece of that article as broad as ones hand, double the quantity of Salmon & bread, that they would for any article of the same Value, (excepting the large blue beads) however as Merchandise of all sorts are scarce among them, they appeared to be fond of every article that we had of Merchandise among us.    Our officers gave the Chiefs of this Village a Flag; they also gave a Flag to a Chief who resided at a Village 2 Miles from this Village on our Road.—    They hoisted the flag at the Chiefs lodge, & seemed very much pleased at the present their Chiefs had received.—    These Indians live very well.   
  • September 23, 1805
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 31, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • Captain Clark (Clark, William) and several of our Men went down to the Second 〈Town〉 Village of the Mandan (Mandan Indians) Indians, The head Chiefs of this Village gave Captain Clark (Clark, William) between 9 & 10 bushels of Indian Corn and some Buffalo Robes, and behaved to him very friendly.— The Men that went with Captain Clark (Clark, William) found among the Indians at this Village, Corn, Beans, Simlins, and many kind of Garden Vegetables, They & the Rick a Ree (Arikara Indians) nation are the only Indians that we saw that cultivated the Earth, that reside on the Mesouri River (Missouri River) .—    Their Village consisted of about 200 Lodges built in the manner, that the Rick a Ree (Arikara Indians) build their lodges.—    This Village we supposed contained 1500 Souls.    they were Govern'd by a Chief called the Black Cat (Black Cat (Posecopsahe)) , They behaved extreamly kind to the party, and the only animal that was among them, was some horses, which are stout servicable Animals, This Village 〈is〉 was situated, on a large high plain, and they plant in a Bottom lying below it and to appearance are a very Industrious sett of people, Ruptáre (Ruptáre (Rooptahee) village) , McLean County (McLean County, N. Dak.) , North Dakota (North Dakota) , called the Black Cat site (Black Cat site) after the village chief of Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) and Clark's (Clark, William) time.
  • October 31, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
December 15, 1804 - Ordway, John
  • although the day was cold & Stormy we Saw Several of the chiefs and warries were out at a play which they call [blank]    they had flattish rings made out of clay Stone & two men had Sticks abt. 4 feet long with 2 Short peaces across the fore end of it, and neathing on the other end, in Such a manner that they would Slide Some distance    they had a place fixed across their green from the head chiefs house across abt. 50 yds. to the 2 chiefs lodge, which was Smothe as a house flour    they had a Battery fixed for the rings to Stop against.   
  • December 15, 1804
  • Journals
  • Ordway, John
The Salish People and the Lewis and Clark Expedition Excerpt 9
  • In a famous speech printed in 1876 by Montana newspapers, the Head Chief of the Bitterroot Salish from 1870 to 1910, Sx̴ m̓ x̣e Q̓ wox̣ wqeys (Claw of the Small Grizzly Bear, or Chief Charlo), bitterly expressed this profound sense of betrayal, of how tribal people had their kindnesses repaid with injustice and impoverishment.
  • We were happy when he first came...To take and to lie should be branded on his forehead, as he burns the sides of my horses with his own name. Had heaven's Chief burnt him with some mark, we might have refused him. No, we did not refuse him in his weakness.
  • N.D.
  • Multimedia
  • Salish Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee and Elders Cultural Advisory Council, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
September 25, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • We delayed to wait for the Indian chiefs and warries to come which we expected.    about 10 OClock they came about 50 in nomber.    our officers made three of them chiefs, and Gave them meddels & Some presents.    5 of them came on board & Stayed a long time.   
  • Tuesday Septemr 25th    We waited at an Anchor this morning, in expectation of the Indian Chiefs and Warriors arrival here.    about 10 o'Clock A M they came to the bank of the River, there was fifty in number; our officers went on shore to them, where they held a Council, and made three of them Chiefs, and gave them Medals, and some presents.   
  • September 25, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
October 24, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Came too on an Island Caused by the river cutting through a narrow point 7 years ago, on this Island we wer visited by the grand Chief of the mandans (Mandan Indians) a 2d Chief and Some other, who wer Camped on the Island, those Chief met our Ricarra (Arikara Indians) Chief with great Corduallity, & Smoked together    Cap Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) Visited the Camps 5 Lodges, and pro-ceeded on & Camped near a 2d Camp of Mandans (Mandan Indians) on the S.
  • October 24, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
February 15, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Clark 15th of February Friday 1805 at 10 oClock P M. last night the men that dispatched 〈last night〉 yesterday for the meat, returned and informed us that as they were on their march down at the distance of about 24 miles below the Fort "about 105 Indians which they took to be Souis (Sioux Indians) rushed on them and Cut their horses from the Slays, two of which they carried off in great hast, the 3rd horse was given up to the party by the intersetion of an Indian who assumd Some authority on the accasion, probably more thro' fear of himself or Some of the Indians being killed by our men who were not disposed to be Robed of all they had tamely, they also forced 2 of the mens knives & a tamahawk, the man obliged them to return the tamahawk    the knives they ran off with G Drewyer (Drouillard, George) Frasure (Frazer, Robert) , S Gutterage (Goodrich, Silas) , & Newmon (Newman, John) with a broken Gun we dispatched two men to inform the mandans, and if any of them chose to pursue those robers, to come down in the morning, and join Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) who intended to Set out with a party of men verry early, by 12 oClock the Chief of the 2ed Village Big white Came down, and Soon after one other Chief and Several men—    The Chief observed that all the young men of the 2 Villages were out hunting, and but verry fiew guns were left,—Capt.
  • Several Indians accompanied him Some with Bows & arrows Some withe Spears & Battle axes, a 〈fiew〉 2 with fusees [NB: fusils]—    the morning fine the Thermometer Stood at 16° below 0, Nought, visited by 2 of the Big Bellies (Hidatsa Indians) this evening,—    one Chief of the Mandans (Mandan Indians) returned from Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) es Party nearly blind—    this Complaint is as I am infomd.
  • February 15, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 22, 1805 - Clark, William
  • Lack (Larocque, François-Antoine) [Larocque (Larocque, François-Antoine) ] McKinsey (McKenzie, Charles) & the 2d Chief of the Bigbellies (Hidatsa Indians) , the white wolf (White Wolf) and many other Menataries (Hidatsa Indians) , we gave a Medal Some Clothes and wampoms to the 2 Chief and Delivered a Speach, which they all appeared well pleased with    in The evening the men Danced    Mr.
  • March 22, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
March 23, 1805 - Clark, William
  • McKinsey (McKenzie, Charles) and the Chiefs & men of the Minetarras (Hidatsa Indians) leave us—    Soon after we were visited by a Brother of the Burnia (Le Borgne (One Eye)) [NB: of the Borgne (Le Borgne (One Eye)) , 〈gro〉 or one eyed chief (Le Borgne (One Eye)) of the Minitarees (Hidatsa Indians) ] who gave us a Vocabulary of his Language—    the Coal (Coal, The (Sho-ta-harro-ra)) & many other Mandans (Mandan Indians) also visit us to Day.   
  • March 23, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) & 5 men went on Shore with the Chiefs, who appeared desposed to make up & be friendly, after Captain Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) had been on Shore about 3 hours I became uneasy for fear of Some Deception & sent a Serjeant to See him and know his treatment which he reported was friendly, & thy were prepareing for a Dance this evening The made frequent Selecitiation for us to remain one night only and let them Show their good disposition towards us, we deturmined to remain, after the return of Capt. Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) , I went on Shore 〈on landing I was recved on a elegent painted B. robe & taken to the village by 6 men & was not permited to touch the ground untill I was put down in the grand Councl house on a White dressed robes—〉    I saw Several Maha (Omaha Indians) Prisoners and Spoke to the Chiefs    it was necessary to give those prisoners up & become good friends with the Mahars (Omaha Indians) if they wished to follow the advice of their Great father    I was in Several Lodges neetly formed as before mentioned as to the Bauruly (Sioux Indians, Brulé or Bois Brule) [NB: Bois brulé (Sioux Indians, Brulé or Bois Brule) ] Tribe—    I was [NB: on landing from the boat] met by about 10 well Dressd. yound men who took me up in a roabe Highly a decrated and Set me Down by the Side of their Chief on a Dressed robe in a large Council House    this house formed a ¾ Cercle of Skins well Dressed and Sown together under this Shelter about 70 men Set forming a Circle in front of the Chiefs    a plac of 6 feet Diameter was Clear and the pipe of peace raised on [NB: forked] Sticks [NB: about 6 or 8 inches from the ground] under which there was Swans down Scattered, on each Side of the Circle two Pipes, The [NB: two] flags of Spain (Spain) 2 & the Flag we gave them in front of the Grand Chief    a large fire was near in which provisions were Cooking, in the Center about 400 wt. of excellent Buffalo Beif as a present for us— Soon after they set me Down, the men went for Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) brough him in the same way and placed him also by the Chief    in a fiew minits an old man rose & Spoke approveing what we had done & informing us of their Situation requesting us to take pity on them &c which was answered—The Great Chief then rose with great State to the Same purpote as far as we Could learn & then with Great Solemnity took up the pipe of peace [(NB: see 27 Septr in here)] [NB: this belongs to 26 Sepr] whin the principal Chiefs Spoke with the 〈Knife〉 pipe of Peace he took in one hand Some of the most Delicate parts of the Dog which was prepared for the feist & made a Sacrifise to the flag—    & after pointing it to the heavins the 4 quarter of the Globe & the earth, [NB: then made a Speech] 〈he made Some divistation〉, lit it and prosist presented the Stem to us to Smoke, after a Smoke had taken place, & a Short Harange to his people, we were requested to take the meal [NB: & then put before us the dog which they had been cooking, & Pemitigon & ground potatoe in Several platters.
  • five or six young men selected    accompanied    with songs the tamborin—    making the song extempore words & music—    every now & then one of the men come out & repeat some exploit in a sort of song—    this taken up by the young men and the women dance to it]    they then retired & we Accompd. by 4 Chiefs returned to our boat, they Stayed with us all night. Those people have Some brave men which they make use of as Soldiers    those men attend to the police of the Village Correct all errors    I saw one of them to day whip 2 Squars who appeared to have fallen out, when he approachd all about appeared to flee with great turrow    at night thy keep two 3 4 or 5 men at deffinit Distances walking around Camp Singing the accurrunces of the night all the men on board 100 paces from Shore    wind from the S.
  • September 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
August 18, 1804 - Whitehouse, Joseph
  • the Deserter, likewise the pettevaliar the Big chief of the Zottous (Oto Indians) & another called the Big horse (Big Horse) , a frenchman & 7 of the warriers &c—    they all came for the purpose of treating & making friends with the Mahars (Omaha Indians) , &c    M.
  • tried & towards evening he Recd. his punishment, the chiefs Sorry to have him punished &c.    La Liberty (La Liberté) has not returned.   
  • Wallow (Little Thief) , the big chief of the Zoto (Oto Indians) Indians, also another Indian of the same Nation called the Big horse (Big Horse) , and a frenchman 7 Indian Warriors, and a number of Indians all of the same tribe 〈of Indians.〉   
  • August 18, 1804
  • Journals
  • Whitehouse, Joseph
December 27, 1805 - Clark, William
  • rained last night as usial and the greater part of this day, the men Complete Chimneys & Bunks to day, in the evening a Chief and 4 men Come of the Clotsop (Clatsop Indians) nation, Chief [another spelling of name blotted out] Co-ma-wool (Coboway) 〈We order〉 we Sent out R.
  • Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) —    Those Indians gave is, a black root they Call 〈Shan-nâ-tock-we〉 Shan-na-tah que a kind of Licquerish which they rostin embers and Call Cul ho-mo, a black berry the Size of a Cherry & Dried which they call Shel-well,—    all of which they prise highly and make use of as food to live on, 〈tho〉 for which Capt Lewis (Lewis, Meriwether) gave the chief a Cap of Sheep Skin and I his Son, ear bobs, Piece of riben, a pice of brass, and 2 Small fishing hooks, of which they were much pleased—    Those roots & berres, are greatfull to our Stomcks as we have nothing to eate but Pore Elk meet, nearly Spiled; & this accident of Spoiled meet, is owing to wormth & the repeeted rains, which cause the meet to tante before we Can get it from the woods    Musquetors troublesom Perhaps crane flies, family Tipulidae.
  • December 27, 1805
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
October 12, 1804 - Clark, William
  • rais'g a Doubt as to the Safty on passing the nations below particularly the Souex (Sioux Indians) .    requested us to take a Chief of their nation and make a good pact with Mandins (Mandan Indians) & nations above.    after answering those parts of the 2d Chiefs Speech which required it, which appeared to give General Satisfaction we went to the Village of the 3rd Chief and as usial Some Serimony took place before he Could Speek to us on the Great Subject. This Chief Spoke verry much in the Stile on nearly the Same Subjects of the other Chief who Set by his Side, more Sincear & pleasently, he presented us with about 10 bushels of Corn Some beens & quashes all of which we acksepted with much pleasure, after we had ansd. his Speech & give them Some account of the Magnitude & power of our Countrey which pleased and astonished them verry much we returned to our boat, the Chiefs accompanied us on board, we gave them Some Sugar a little Salt, and a Sun Glass, & Set 2 on Shore & the third proceeded on with us to the Mandens (Mandan Indians) by name _____, at 2 oClock we Set out the inhabitints of the two Villages Viewing us from the banks, we proceeded on about 9½ miles and Camped on the S.
  • October 12, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William
September 26, 1804 - Clark, William
  • S. 26th of Septr    Set out early and proceeded on—    the river lined with indians, came too & anchored by the particular request of the Chiefs to let their Womin & Boys See the Boat, and Suffer them to Show us some friendship—    great members [numbers?]
  • requesting us to take pitty on them &C. answered—    They form their Camp in a circle The great Chief then rose in great State and Spoke to the Same purpos and with Solemnity took up the pipe of peace and pointed it to the heavens, the 4 quartrs and the earth, he made Some divistation [dissertation?], & presented the Sten [stem] to us to Smoke, after Smokeing & a Short Harrang to his people we were requested to take the meat, and the Flesh of the Dog gavin us to eat—    We Smoked untill Dark, at which time all was cleared away & a large fire made in the Center, Several men with Tamborens highly Decorated with Der & Cabra Hoofs to make them rattle, assembled and began to Sing & Beat—    The women Came forward highly decerated with the Scalps & Trofies of war of their fathes Husbands & relations, and Danced the war Dance, which they done with great chearfulness untill 12 oClock, when we informed the Chief we intended return on bord, (they offered us women, which we did not except)    4 Chiefs accompanied us to the boat and Staid all night—    Those people have a Description of Men which they Call Soldiars, those men attend to the police of the Band, Correct all vices &.   
  • September 26, 1804
  • Journals
  • Clark, William

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