Clark: January 13, 1806
Captain Lewis led a party from Fort Clatsop to retrieve the elk killed the previous day, finding the meat untouched by wolves, which are scarce in the area. The group returned by 1 P.M. with the second and final load. The expedition's candles ran out, but they began making more using brought molds, wicks, and elk tallow. Clark also recorded notes on regional trade: European traders anchor in a bay near Cape Disappointment from April to October, bartering with coastal and river tribes who serve as intermediaries with interior nations.
Monday 13th January 1806 Capt. Lewis took all the men which Could be
Speared from the Fort and Set out in quest of the flesh of the Seven Elk
which were killed yesterday they found the meat all Secure untouched by
the Wolves, of which indeed there are but fiew in this Countrey; at 1 P.M.
the party returned with the 2d and Last load of meat to the fort. this
evening we finished all last of our Candles, we brought with us, but
fortunately had taken the precaution to bring with us moulds and wick, by
means of which and Some Elk tallow in our possession we do not think our
Selves distitute of this necessary article, the Elk which have been killed
have a verry Small portion of tallow. The Traders usially arrive in this
quarter, in the month of april, and remain until October; when here they
lay at anchor in a Bay within Cape Disapointment on the N. Side of the
river; here they are visited by the nativs in their Canoes who run along
Side and barter their Comodities with them, their being no houses or
fortification on Shore for that purpose.
The nations who repare thither ar first those of the Sea Coast S. E &
N W of the enterance of the river, who reside in the order in which their
names are mentioned to the S E. the Clat Sops, Kil-a-mox, and those to the
N W. the Chin nooks, and Chiltch; and Secondly the Cath-lah-mah,
War-ki-a-cum, and Skil-lutes, the latter noumerous and inhabiting those
last may be considered or intermedeate traders between the whites and
nations on the Sea Coast, and the E-ne-churs, the E-chee-lutes, and the
Chil-luck-kitte-quaws, who inhabit the river up to the great falls
inclusive, and who prepare most of the pounded fish which is brought to
Market.
The Bay in which the trade is Carried on is Spacious and Commodious, and
perfectly Secure from all except the S. & S E Winds and those blow but
Seldom the most prevalent & Strong winds are from the S W & N W in
the Winter Season. fish water and wood are very Convenient and excellent
timber for refitting and repareing vessels.-.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Monday 13th January 1806. Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) took all the men who could be spared from the Fort and set out in search of the meat from the seven elk that were killed yesterday. They found the meat all secure and untouched by the wolves, of which indeed there are but few in this country. At 1 P.M. the party returned with the second and last load of meat to the fort. This evening we finished the last of our candles that we brought with us, but fortunately we had taken the precaution to bring molds and wick along, by means of which—and some elk tallow in our possession—we do not consider ourselves destitute of this necessary article. The elk that have been killed have only a very small portion of tallow. The traders usually arrive in this quarter in the month of April and remain until October. When here, they lie at anchor in a bay within Cape Disappointment on the north side of the river. Here they are visited by the natives in their canoes, who pull alongside and barter their commodities with them, there being no houses or fortifications on shore for that purpose.
The nations who travel there are, first, those of the sea coast southeast and northwest of the entrance of the river, who reside in the order in which their names are mentioned. To the southeast: the Clatsops, Killamox (Kilamox), and to the northwest: the Chinooks and Chiltch. Secondly, the Cathlahmah, Wahkiacum, and Skillutes—the latter numerous, and these last may be considered intermediate traders between the whites and the nations on the sea coast, and the Enechurs, the Echeelutes, and the Chilluckittequaws, who inhabit the river up to and including the Great Falls, and who prepare most of the pounded fish that is brought to market.
The bay in which the trade is carried on is spacious and commodious, and perfectly secure from all winds except the south and southeast, and those blow but seldom. The most prevalent and strong winds are from the southwest and northwest in the winter season. Fish, water, and wood are very convenient, and there is excellent timber for refitting and repairing vessels.
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