Clark: August 19, 1804

19th of August, Sunday 1804. A fine morning, wind from the S.E. I prepared a present from the Chiefs and Warriors. The main Chief breakfasted with us, naked, and begged for a sun glass. At 10 o'clock we assembled the Chiefs and Warriors under an awning and delivered a speech, explanatory of the one sent to this nation from the Council Bluff, etc., etc.

Children: When we sent the 4 men to your towns, we expected to see and speak with the Mahas by the time you would arrive, and to lay the foundation of a peace between you and them.

The Speech of Petieit Villeu (Little Thief): If you think right and can wait until all our warriors come from the buffalo hunt, we can then tell you who is our men of consequence. My fathers always lived with the father of the B together, and we always live with the Big Horse. All the men here are the sons of Chiefs and will be glad to get something from the hands of their fathers. My father always directed me to be friendly with the white people; I have always done so and went often to the French. Give my party pieces of paper and we will be glad.

The names:

A medal to Car ka pa ha (Crow's Head).

A Comsi or Cfte. Sar na no ne (Iron Eyes), an Ottoe, approves and says he is brave. Nee Swor un ja (Big Axe), an Ottoe, approves. Star gra hun ja (Big Blue Eyes), an Ottoe, delivers up his commission. Ne ca sa wa (Black Cat), a Missouri, approves the council, and he wants paper for his men at home; he afterwards came and petitioned for his paper. War-sar sha co (Brave Man), approves.

The Speech of the Big Horse: I went to hunt buffalo. I heard your word and I returned. I and all my men with me will attend to your words. You want to make peace with all; I want to make peace also. When the young men want to go to war, where are the goods you give me to keep them at home? If you give me some whiskey to give a drop to my men at home.

I came here naked and must return home naked. If I have something to give the young men, I can prevent their going to war. You want to make peace with all; it is good. We want something to give my men at home. I am a poor man, and can't keep them quiet without means. A spoonful of your milk will quiet all.

2nd Speech of the Little Thief: I want Mr. Faufon and Mr. La Bieche to make a peace with the Pawnees Loups. I want William to go and make a peace with the Loups; he can speak English and will do well to go. Refused that William LaBiech shall accompany Faufon.

Those people were not well satisfied with the presents given them. They were much surprised at the air gun and several curiosities which were shown them, none more than the magnet. Those people became extremely troublesome to us, begging whiskey and little articles. Sergeant Floyd was taken violently ill with the bilious colic and is dangerously sick. We attempt in vain to relieve him; I am much concerned for his situation. We could get nothing to stay on his stomach a moment. Nature appears exhausting fast in him. Every man is attentive to him; York particularly.

19th August, Sunday 1804. A fine morning, wind from the S.E. Prepared a small present for the Chiefs and Warriors present. The main Chief breakfasted with us and begged for a sun glass. Those people are all naked, covered only with breech cloths, blankets, or buffalo robes, the flesh side painted with different colors and figures. At 10 o'clock we assembled the Chiefs and Warriors, 9 in number, under an awning, and we explained the speech sent to the nation from the Council Bluffs by Mr. Faufon. The 3 Chiefs and all the men or warriors made short speeches approving the advice and counsel their great father had sent them, and concluded by giving themselves some credit for their acts.

We then brought out the presents and exchanged the Big Horse's medal and gave him one equal to the one sent to the Little Thief, and gave all some small articles and 8 carrots of tobacco. We gave one small medal to one of the Chiefs and a certificate to the others of their good intentions.

Names:

The Little Thief, Grand Chief, I have mentioned before.

The Big Horse.

Crow's Head (or Kar Ka paha), Missouri.

Black Cat (or Ne ma Sa wa), ditto.

Iron Eyes (or Sar na no no), Ottoe.

Big Axe (or Nee Swar Un ja), ditto.

Big Blue Eyes (Star gea Hun ja), ditto.

Brave Man (or War Sar Sha co).

One of those Indians, after receiving his certificate, delivered it again to me—the Big Blue Eyes. The Chief petitioned for the certificate again. We would not give the certificate, but rebuked them very roughly for having in object goods and not peace with their neighbors. This language they did not like at first, but at length all petitioned for us to give back the certificate to the Big Blue Eyes. He came forward and made a plausible excuse. I then gave the certificate to the Great Chief to bestow it to the most worthy; they gave it to him. We then gave them a dram and broke up the council. The Chiefs requested we would not leave them this evening. We determined to set out early in the morning. We showed them many curiosities and the air gun, at which they were much astonished. Those people begged much for whiskey. Sergeant Floyd is taken very bad all at once with a bilious colic. We attempt to relieve him without success as yet; he gets worse, and we are much alarmed at his situation. All attention to him.