Clark: May 16, 1804
On a fair Wednesday morning, the expedition departed at 5 a.m. and passed a striking bluff the French called Carbonere, noted for its apparent coal and ore deposits. They reached St. Charles around noon, where French and Indian onlookers gathered to watch the party arrive. Clark described the village of about 100 modest houses and 450 mostly French inhabitants, situated at the foot of a small hill (Petite Côte). He took sextant readings and dined with Mr. Ducett, a former Canadian merchant now reduced in circumstances, at his pleasant hillside home.
Wednesday May 16th A fair morning, Set out at 5 oClock passed the Coal
hill (Call by the natives Carbonear) this hill appears to Contain great
quantytes of Coal, and also ore of a rich appearance haveing greatly the
resemblance of Silver Arrived Opposit St Charles at 12 oClock, this
Village is at the foot of a Hill from which it takes its real name
Peeteite Coete or the little hill, it contains about 100 indefferent
houses, and abot 450 Inhabetents principally frinch, those people appear
pore and extreemly kind, the Countrey around I am told is butifull.
interspursed with Praries & timber alturnetly and has a number of
American Settlers
Took equal altituds with Sextion M a 68°37’30” Dined with the Comdr. &
Mr. Ducetts family(1) Passed an Island on the L Side just above the
bank one just above, two Small ones oposut under the St. Shore, one on Lb.
Side below St Charles, arrived at this place at 12 oClock a fine Day
—
May 16th Wednesday a fair morning Set out at 5 oClk pass a remarkable Coal
Hill on the Larboard Side Called by the French Carbonere, this hill appear
to Contain great quantity of Coal & ore of a ____ appearance from this
hill the village of St Charles may be Seen at 7 miles distancewe
arrived at St. Charles at 12 oClock a number Spectators french &
Indians flocked to the bank to See the party. This Village is about one
mile in length, Situated on the North Side of the Missourie at the foot of
a hill from which it takes its name Petiete Coete or the Little hill This
village Contns. about 100 houses, the most of them Small and indefferent
and about 450 inhabitents Chiefly French, those people appear pore, polite
& harmoniousI was invited to Dine with a Mr. Ducett this
gentleman was once a merchant from Canadia, from misfortunes aded to the
loss of a Cargo Sold to the late judge Turner he has become Somewhat
reduced, he has a Charming wife an eligent Situation on the hill Serounded
by orchards & a excellent gardain.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday May 16th. A fair morning. Set out at 5 o'clock, passed the Coal Hill (called by the natives Carbonear). This hill appears to contain great quantities of coal, and also ore of a rich appearance, having greatly the resemblance of silver. Arrived opposite St. Charles at 12 o'clock. This village is at the foot of a hill from which it takes its real name, Peeteite Coete, or the little hill. It contains about 100 indifferent houses, and about 450 inhabitants, principally French. These people appear poor and extremely kind. The country around, I am told, is beautiful, interspersed with prairies and timber alternately, and has a number of American settlers.
Took equal altitudes with sextant: M a 68°37'30". Dined with the commander and Mr. Ducett's family. Passed an island on the larboard side just above the bank, one just above, two small ones opposite under the starboard shore, one on the larboard side below St. Charles. Arrived at this place at 12 o'clock. A fine day.
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May 16th Wednesday. A fair morning. Set out at 5 o'clock. Passed a remarkable Coal Hill on the larboard side, called by the French Carbonere. This hill appears to contain great quantity of coal and ore of a ____ appearance. From this hill the village of St. Charles may be seen at 7 miles distance. We arrived at St. Charles at 12 o'clock. A number of spectators, French and Indians, flocked to the bank to see the party. This village is about one mile in length, situated on the north side of the Missouri at the foot of a hill from which it takes its name, Petiete Coete, or the Little Hill. This village contains about 100 houses, the most of them small and indifferent, and about 450 inhabitants, chiefly French. These people appear poor, polite, and harmonious. I was invited to dine with a Mr. Ducett. This gentleman was once a merchant from Canada; from misfortunes added to the loss of a cargo sold to the late Judge Turner, he has become somewhat reduced. He has a charming wife, an elegant situation on the hill surrounded by orchards, and an excellent garden.
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