Clark: January 13, 1805
On a cold, clear Sunday, about half the Mandan nation traveled down the river to hunt buffalo, a common practice though their habit of sharing meat widely often leaves them without provisions; corn and beans are saved for summer and as reserve against feared Sioux attacks. Interpreter Charbonneau returned from visiting Hidatsa lodges near Turtle Hill, with both he and his companion frostbitten. He reported that a Hudson's Bay Company clerk had spoken unfavorably of the Americans, that the North West Company planned to build a fort among the Hidatsa, and that the Big Bellies' grand chief spoke dismissively of the Americans.
13th of January Sunday (1805) a Cold Clear Day (great number of Indians
move Down the River to hunt) those people Kill a number of Buffalow near
their Villages and Save a great perpotion of the meat, their Custom of
makeing this article of life General leaves them more than half of their
time without meat Their Corn & Beans &c they Keep for the Summer,
and as a reserve in Case of an attack from the Soues, which they are
always in dread, and Sildom go far to hunt except in large parties, about
1/2 the Mandan nation passed this to day to hunt on the river below, they
will Stay out Some Days, Mr. Chabonee (our inturpeter) and one man that
accompanied him to Some loges of the Minatarees near the Turtle Hill
returned, both frosed in their faces.
Chaboneu informs that the Clerk of the Hudsons Bay Co. with the Me ne tar
res has been Speaking Some fiew expressns. unfavourable towards us, and
that it is Said the N W Co. intends building a fort at the Mene tar re’she
Saw the Grand Chief of the Big bellies who Spoke Slightly of the
Americans, Saying if we would give our great flag to him he would Come to
See us.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
13th of January, Sunday (1805). A cold, clear day. (A great number of Indians moved down the river to hunt.) These people kill a number of buffalo near their villages and save a great proportion of the meat. Their custom of sharing this article of life generally leaves them more than half of their time without meat. Their corn, beans, etc., they keep for the summer, and as a reserve in case of an attack from the Sioux, which they are always in dread of, and they seldom go far to hunt except in large parties. About half of the Mandan nation passed by here today to hunt on the river below; they will stay out some days. Mr. Chabonee (Charbonneau), our interpreter, and one man who accompanied him to some lodges of the Minatarees (Minnetarees) near the Turtle Hill, returned, both frostbitten in their faces.
Chaboneu (Charbonneau) informs us that the clerk of the Hudson's Bay Company with the Menetarres has been speaking a few expressions unfavorable towards us, and that it is said the North West Company intends building a fort at the Menetarres. He saw the Grand Chief of the Big Bellies, who spoke slightingly of the Americans, saying that if we would give our great flag to him, he would come to see us.
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