Clark: October 10, 1804
On a windy day that shifted from southeast to northwest, the expedition held a council with the Arikara at 1 p.m. under an awning near the boat and the American flag. Traders Tabeau and Gravelines joined them, and Gravelines was sent to fetch chiefs from the upper villages amid jealousy over which leader would be named first. The captains delivered the same speech given to the Otoes and Sioux, named three chiefs—Kakawissassa, Pocasse, and Piaheto—and distributed clothes, flags, and presents. Firing the air gun amazed the Arikara, who were also fascinated by Clark's Black servant York. Two Sioux were observed at the council. The Arikara declined liquor.
10th of October 1804 at 11 oClock the wind Shifted from S. E to N W. Mr.
Taboe visited uswe hear that Some jealousy exists as to the Chiefs
to be madeat 1 oclock the Cheifs all assembled under an orning near
the Boat, and under the American Flag. we Delivered a Similar Speech to
those delivered the Ottoes & Sioux, made three Chiefs, one for each
Village and gave them Clothes & flags1 s Chief is name
Ka-ha-wiss assa lighting ravin 2d Chief Po-casse (Hay) & the 3rd
Piaheto or Eagles Featherafter the Council was over we Shot the Air
gun, which astonished them, & they all left us, I observed 2 Sioux in
the Council one of them I had Seen below, they Came to interceed with the
Ricaras to Stop us as we were toldthe Inds. much astonished at my
black Servent, who made him Self more turrible in thier view than I wished
him to Doe as I am told telling them that before I cought him he was wild
& lived upon people, young children was verry good eating Showed them
his Strength &c. &c.Those Indians are not fond of Licquer
of any Kind-
—
10th of October Wednesday 1804. a fine forming wind from the S. E at about
11 oClock the wind Shifted, to the N. W. we prepare all things ready to
Speak to the Indians, Mr. Tabo & Mr. Gravolin Came to brackfast with
us the Chiefs &. came from the lower Town, but none from the 2 upper
Towns, which is the largest, we Continue to delay & waite for them at
12 oClock Dispatchd Gravelin to envite them to Come down, we have every
reason to believe that a jellousy exists between the Villages for fear of
our makeing the 1st Cheif from the lower Village, at one oClock the Cheifs
all assembled & after Some little Cerrimony the Council Commenced, we
informd them what we had told the others before i e Ottoes & Seaux.
made 3 Cheif 1 for each Village. gave them presents.
after the Council was Over we Shot the air guns which astonished them
much, they then Departed and we rested Secure all night, Those Indians wer
much astonished at my Servent, They never Saw a black man before, all
flocked around him & examind. him from top to toe, he Carried on the
joke and made himself more turibal than we wished him to doe. (Thos
Indians were not fond of Spirits Licquer. of any kind)
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
10th of October 1804. At 11 o'clock the wind shifted from S.E. to N.W. Mr. Tabeau visited us. We hear that some jealousy exists as to the chiefs to be made. At 1 o'clock the chiefs all assembled under an awning near the boat, and under the American flag. We delivered a similar speech to those delivered to the Ottoes and Sioux, made three chiefs, one for each village, and gave them clothes and flags. The 1st chief's name is Ka-ha-wiss-assa (Lighting Raven), 2nd chief Po-casse (Hay), and the 3rd Piaheto, or Eagle's Feather. After the council was over we shot the air gun, which astonished them, and they all left us. I observed 2 Sioux in the council; one of them I had seen below. They came to intercede with the Arikaras (Ricaras) to stop us, as we were told. The Indians were much astonished at my black servant, who made himself more terrible in their view than I wished him to do, as I am told, telling them that before I caught him he was wild and lived upon people, that young children were very good eating. He showed them his strength, etc., etc. These Indians are not fond of liquor of any kind.
10th of October, Wednesday, 1804. A fine forming wind from the S.E. At about 11 o'clock the wind shifted to the N.W. We prepared all things ready to speak to the Indians. Mr. Tabeau (Tabo) and Mr. Gravelines (Gravolin) came to breakfast with us. The chiefs came from the lower town, but none came from the 2 upper towns, which are the largest. We continued to delay and wait for them. At 12 o'clock we dispatched Gravelines to invite them to come down. We have every reason to believe that a jealousy exists between the villages for fear of our making the 1st chief from the lower village. At one o'clock the chiefs all assembled, and after some little ceremony the council commenced. We informed them what we had told the others before, i.e., the Ottoes and Sioux. We made 3 chiefs, 1 for each village, and gave them presents.
After the council was over we shot the air guns, which astonished them much. They then departed and we rested secure all night. These Indians were much astonished at my servant; they had never seen a black man before. All flocked around him and examined him from top to toe. He carried on the joke and made himself more terrible than we wished him to do. (These Indians were not fond of spirits or liquor of any kind.)
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