Clark: December 2, 1804

William Clark · Fort Mandan, North Dakota

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): left shore, Fort Mandan, ND

2d of Decr. 1804 Visited by Several Mandan Chiefs and 4 Chyannes Inds. who
Came with a pipe to the Mandans, Sent a Speech to ther Nation a flag &
Some tobacco, also written a Speech to the Ricaras & Sioux, informe
them what they might depend on if they would not open their ears, &
&.

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2nd of December Sunday 1804 The latter part of last night was verry warm
and Continued to thaw untill ____ oClock when the wind Shifted to the
North at 11 oClock the Chiefs of the Lower village of the Mandans with
maney of theire young men and 4 of the Shar-ha’s who had come to Smoke
with the pipe of Peace with the Mandans, we explained to them our
intentions our views and advised them to be at peace, Gave them a flag for
theire nation, Some Tobacco with a Speech to Deliver to their nation on
theire return, also Sent by them a letter to Mrs. Tabbo & Gravoline,
at the Ricares Village, to interseid in proventing Hostilities, and if
they Could not effect those measures to Send & informe us of what was
going on, Stateing to the Indians the part we intend to take if the
Rickores & Seauex did not follow our Derections and be at peace with
the nations which we had addoptedWe made Some fiew Small presents
to those Shar ha’s and also Some to the Mandans & at 3 oClock they all
Departed well pleased, haveing Seen many Curisossties, which we Showed
them-. river rise one inch