Clark: January 19, 1806
Two hunting parties were sent out, one toward Point Adams and another up the Netul River by water. Two Clatsop men and a woman visited to trade, selling a sea otter skin for blue and white beads and a knife, train oil for brass arm bands, and a woven cedar-bark and bear-grass hat for fishhooks. Clark described these durable native-made hats, which the Clatsops and Chinooks also trade to white visitors. He also recorded observations on local family structure, marriage customs, and the non-hereditary nature of chieftainship.
Tuesday 19th of January 1806 This morning Sent out two parties of hunters,
one party towards Point adams and the other party up Ne tel River by
water. we were visited to day by two Clatsop men and a woman who brought
for Sale Some Sea otter Skins of which we purchased one gave in exchange
the remainder of our blue heeds Consisting of 6 fathoms, and the Same
quantity of Small white beids and a knife. we also purchased a Small
quantity of train oil for a par of Brass arm bands, and a hat for Som
fishinghooks. these hats are of their own manufactory and are Composed of
Cedar bark and bear grass interwoven with the fingers and ornimented with
various Colours and figures, they are nearly water proof, light, and I am
Convinced are much more dureable than either Chip or Straw,These
hats form a article of traffic with Clatsops an Chinnooks who dispose of
them to the whites, the form of the Hats is that which was in voge in the
U States and Great Britain in 1800 & 1801 with a high Crown rather
larger at the top than where it joins the brim, the brim narrow about 2 or
21/2 inches.
Several families of those people usially reside together in the Same room;
they appear to be the father mother with their Sons and their Sons wives
and children; their provisions appears to be in common and the greatest
harmoney appears to exist among them. the old man is not always respected
as the head of the family that duty generally devolves on one of the young
men. They have Sildom more than one wife, yet plurality of wives are not
denyed them by their Customs. those families when associated form bands of
nations each acknowledgeing the authority of its own Chieftains, who does
not appear to be herititary, or has power to extend further than a mear
repremand for any improper deportment of the indevidual; the Creation of a
Chief depends upon the upright Conduct of the individual his abiltity and
disposition to render Service to the Comunity, and his authority and the
defference paid him is in extent equilibrio with the popolarity or
volintary esteem he has acquired among the individuals of his band, or
nation. Their Laws like all uncivilized Indians Consist of a Set of
customs which has grown out of their local Situations. not being able to
Speak their language we have not been able to inform ourselves of the
existance of any peculiar Customs among them.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Tuesday 19th of January 1806. This morning I sent out two parties of hunters, one party toward Point Adams and the other party up the Netel River by water. We were visited today by two Clatsop men and a woman who brought some sea otter skins for sale, of which we purchased one. In exchange we gave the remainder of our blue beads, consisting of 6 fathoms, the same quantity of small white beads, and a knife. We also purchased a small quantity of train oil for a pair of brass arm bands, and a hat for some fishing hooks. These hats are of their own manufacture and are composed of cedar bark and bear grass interwoven with the fingers and ornamented with various colors and figures. They are nearly waterproof, light, and I am convinced are much more durable than either chip or straw. These hats form an article of trade with the Clatsops and Chinnooks (Chinooks), who dispose of them to the whites. The form of the hats is the same as was in vogue in the United States and Great Britain in 1800 and 1801, with a high crown rather larger at the top than where it joins the brim, the brim narrow, about 2 or 2 1/2 inches.
Several families of these people usually reside together in the same room; they appear to be the father and mother with their sons, their sons' wives, and their children. Their provisions appear to be held in common, and the greatest harmony appears to exist among them. The old man is not always respected as the head of the family; that duty generally falls upon one of the young men. They seldom have more than one wife, yet plurality of wives is not denied them by their customs. These families, when associated, form bands or nations, each acknowledging the authority of its own chieftains, who do not appear to be hereditary and whose power does not extend further than a mere reprimand for any improper conduct of an individual. The creation of a chief depends upon the upright conduct of the individual, his ability and disposition to render service to the community, and his authority and the deference paid to him are in proportion to the popularity or voluntary esteem he has acquired among the individuals of his band or nation. Their laws, like those of all uncivilized Indians, consist of a set of customs that have grown out of their local situations. Not being able to speak their language, we have not been able to inform ourselves of the existence of any peculiar customs among them.
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