Clark: December 18, 1804
Bitterly cold weather continued, matching the previous night's temperature. Traders Hugh Heney and François-Antoine Larocque departed for the Gros Ventre (Hidatsa) camp. Seven hunters sent out for buffalo turned back due to the cold, and visiting Indians on a similar hunt also gave up. The river rose slightly. Clark worked on a small connecting map and sent interpreter Jusseaume to question the principal Mandan chief about a horse taken from interpreter Charbonneau. The trouble traced back to a North West Company trader, Lafrance, who falsely claimed Charbonneau owed him a horse; the chief returned it.
18th December Tuesday 1804 The Themometer the Same as last night Mr. Haney
& La Rocke left us for the Grossventre Camp, Sent out 7 men to hunt
for the Buffalow They found the weather too cold & returned, Several
Indians Came, who had Set out with a veiw to Kill buffalow, The river rise
a little I imploy my Self makeing a Small map of Connection &. Sent
Jessomme to the Main Chief of the mandans to know the Cause of his
detaining or takeing a horse of Chabonoe our big belly interpeter, which
we found was thro the rascallity of one Lafrance a trader from the N W.
Company, who told this Cheif that Chabonah owd. him a horse to go and take
him he done So agreeable to an indian Customhe gave up the horse
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
18th December, Tuesday 1804. The thermometer was the same as last night. Mr. Haney and La Rocke left us for the Grossventre (Gros Ventre) camp. Sent out 7 men to hunt for the buffalo; they found the weather too cold and returned. Several Indians came, who had set out with a view to kill buffalo. The river rose a little. I employed myself making a small map of connection, etc. Sent Jessomme to the main chief of the Mandans to know the cause of his detaining or taking a horse from Chabonoe (Charbonneau), our Big Belly interpreter, which we found was through the rascality of one Lafrance, a trader from the N. W. Company, who told this chief that Chabonah (Charbonneau) owed him a horse and to go and take it. He did so, agreeable to an Indian custom. He gave up the horse.
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