Clark: October 27, 1804
On a fine, warm Saturday, the expedition set out early and stopped at a Mandan village on the south side, built on a 50-foot rise with large round houses sheltering families and horses. Clark smoked with the chiefs but declined to eat, briefly offending them until he explained his illness. They hired René Jusseaume, a Frenchman who had lived among the Mandans for 13 years, as interpreter. The party camped opposite the Knife River near another village, raised a flagstaff, and sent tobacco to invite chiefs to council the next day.
27th of October Satturday 1804 we Set out early and Came too at the
village on the L. S. where we delayed a few minits, I walked to a Chiefs
Logg & Smoked with them, but Could not eat, which did displease them a
little, here I met with a Mr. Jessomme, who lived in this nation 13 years,
I got him to interpet & he proceedd on with us we proceeded on to a
Centeral point opposit the Knife River, & formed a Camp on the S. S.
above the 2d Mandan village & opsd. the Mah-har-ha villageand
raised a flag StaffCapt Lewis & the Intepeters walked down to
the 2d Village of Mandans, & returned in about an hour, we Sent 3
Carrotes of tobacco to the other villages & enviting them to come down
and Council with us tomorrow,we endeaver to precure Some Knowledge
of the principal Chiefs of the Different nations &.well to give
my ideas as to the impression thais man makes on me is a Cunin artfull an
insoncearhe tels me he was once empld. by my brother in the
Illinois & of his description I conceve as a Spye upon the British of
Michillinicknac & St Joseph,s we think he may be made use full to us
& do employ him as an interpeterno. of Indians bring their
wives &c. to the campes of our party on Shore &c.
—
27th of October Satturday 1804 we Set out arly Came too at this Village on
the L. S. this village is Situated on an eminance of about 50 feet above
the Water in a handson Plain it Containes houses in a kind of Picket work.
the houses are round and Verry large Containing Several families, as also
their horses which is tied on one Side of the enterance, a Discription of
those houses will be given hereafter, I walked up & Smoked a pipe with
the Cheifs of this Village they were anxious that I would Stay and eat
with them, my indisposition provented my eating which displeased them,
untill a full explination took place, I returned to the boat and Sent 2
Carrots of Tobacco for them to Smoke, and proceeded on, passed the 2d
Village and Camped opsd. the Village of the Weter Soon or ah wah bar ways
which is Situated on an eminance in a plain on the L. S. this Village is
Small and Contains but fiew inhabitents. above this village & also
above the Knife river on the Same Side of the Missouri the Big bellies
Towns are Situated a further Discription will be given here after as also
of the Town of Mandans on this Side of the river i e S. Side
a fine worm Day we met with a french man by the name of jassamme which we
imploy as an interpeter This man has a wife & Children in the VillageGreat
numbers on both Sides flocked down to the bank to view us as wee passed.
Capt. Lewis with the Interpetr. walked down to the village below our Camp
After delaying one hour he returned and informed me the Indians had
returned to their village &c., &c., we Sent three Carrots of
Tobacco by three young men, to the three Villages above inviting them to
come Down & Council with us tomorrow. many Indians Came to view us
Some Stayed all night in the Camp of our partywe procured Some
information of Mr. Jessomme of the Chiefs of the Different Nations
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
27th of October, Saturday 1804. We set out early and came to at the village on the larboard side, where we delayed a few minutes. I walked to a chief's log house and smoked with them, but could not eat, which displeased them a little. Here I met with a Mr. Jessomme (Jessaume), who had lived in this nation 13 years. I got him to interpret, and he proceeded on with us. We proceeded on to a central point opposite the Knife River and formed a camp on the starboard side, above the 2nd Mandan village and opposite the Mah-har-ha village, and raised a flagstaff. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and the interpreters walked down to the 2nd village of Mandans and returned in about an hour. We sent 3 carrots of tobacco to the other villages, inviting them to come down and council with us tomorrow.
We endeavored to procure some knowledge of the principal chiefs of the different nations, etc. To give my ideas as to the impression this man makes on me: he is a cunning, artful, and insincere person. He tells me he was once employed by my brother in the Illinois, and from his description I conceive he was as a spy upon the British of Michillimackinac and St. Joseph's. We think he may be made useful to us, and so we employ him as an interpreter. A number of Indians brought their wives, etc., to the camps of our party on shore, etc.
27th of October, Saturday 1804. We set out early and came to at this village on the larboard side. This village is situated on an eminence of about 50 feet above the water in a handsome plain. It contains houses in a kind of picket work. The houses are round and very large, containing several families, as well as their horses, which are tied on one side of the entrance. A description of these houses will be given hereafter. I walked up and smoked a pipe with the chiefs of this village. They were anxious that I would stay and eat with them; my indisposition prevented my eating, which displeased them until a full explanation took place. I returned to the boat and sent 2 carrots of tobacco for them to smoke, and proceeded on. We passed the 2nd village and camped opposite the village of the Weter Soon or Ah-wah-bar-ways, which is situated on an eminence in a plain on the larboard side. This village is small and contains but few inhabitants. Above this village, and also above the Knife River on the same side of the Missouri, the Big Bellies towns are situated. A further description will be given hereafter, as also of the town of Mandans on this side of the river, i.e., the south side.
A fine warm day. We met with a Frenchman by the name of Jassamme (Jessaume), whom we employ as an interpreter. This man has a wife and children in the village. Great numbers on both sides flocked down to the bank to view us as we passed. Capt. Lewis with the interpreter walked down to the village below our camp. After delaying one hour, he returned and informed me the Indians had returned to their village, etc., etc. We sent three carrots of tobacco by three young men to the three villages above, inviting them to come down and council with us tomorrow. Many Indians came to view us; some stayed all night in the camp of our party. We procured some information from Mr. Jessomme (Jessaume) about the chiefs of the different nations.
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