Clark: October 8, 1804
On a cool, northwesterly-windy Monday, the expedition traveled past Grouse Island and the mouths of the We-tar-hoo (Wetarhoo) River and the small, mud-choked Maropa or Beaver Dam River along the lower shore. They reached the first Arikara village, situated on a three-mile island where the Arikara cultivated corn, beans, squash, and tobacco. Many villagers gathered to watch them pass. Captain Lewis went ashore with interpreter Mr. Gravelines while Clark set up a guarded camp. Lewis later returned with a Frenchman and a Spaniard. Clark also formally enlisted Robert Frazer into the Corps.
8th of October Monday 1804 a cool Morning wind from the N. W. passed the
mouth of a Small Creek on the L. S. about 21/2 Miles above the Isd. Passed
the Mouth of a River on the L. S. called by the Ricaries We-tar-hoo. this
river is 120 yards wide, the water Confined within 20 yards, throws out
mud with little Sand, great quanties of red Berries, resembling Currents
near the mouth of this river Latd. 45° 39′ 5 N. this river heads in the 1s
Black Mountain, 2 Miles higher up passed a Small River on the L. S. Called
Maropa 25 yards wide Chocked up with mudour hunters discovered a
Ricara village on an Island a fiew miles above we passed the 1s Ricara
Village about the center of the Island, in presence of Great numbers of
Spectators and Camped above the Island on the L. S. at the foot of Some
high land. (Mr. Gravotine a French man joined us as an interpeter) The
Island on which is Ricara Village is Situated, is about 3 miles long
Seperated from the Main L. Side by a Narrow Deep Channel, those Indians
Cultivate on the Island Corn Beens Simmins, Tobacco &c &c. after
Landing Capt. Lewis with Mr. Gravelin and 3 men went to the Village, I
formd a Camp on Shore with the Perogue crew & guard, with the Boat at
Anchor, Capt Lewis returned late, a french man and a Spaniard accompanied
him
—
8th of October Monday 1804 a Cool morning Set out early the wind from the
N. W. proceeded on passed the mouth of a Small Creek on the L. S. about
21/2 miles above Grouse Island, (3) passed a willow Island which Divides
the Current equilly. (2) passed the mouth of a River called by the ricares
We tar hoo on the L. S. this river is 120 yards wide, the water of which
at this time is Confined within 20 yards, dischargeing but a Small
quantity, throwing out mud with Small propotion of Sand, great quantities
of the red Berries, ressembling Currents, are on the river in every bend77°
33′ 0″ Lattitude from the Obsevation of to day at the mouth of this river
is 45° 39′ 5″-Northproceeded on passed a (3) Small river of 25
yards wide Called (4) or Beaver Dam R this river is intirely Chocked up
with mud, with a Streem of 1 Inch Diamiter passing through, discharging no
Sand, at 1 (5) mile passed the lower pint of an Island close on the L. S.
2 of our men discovered the reckerrei village, about the Center of the
Island on the L. Side on the main Shore. this Island is about 3 miles
long, Seperated from the L. S. by a Channel of about 60 yards wide verry
Deep, The Isld. is covered with fields, where those people raise their
Corn Tobacco Beens &c. &c. Great numbers of those People came on
the Island to See us pass, we passed above the head of the Island &
Capt. Lewis with 2 interpeters & 2 men went to the Village I formed a
Camp of the french & the guard on Shore, with one Sentinal on board of
the boat at anchor, a pleasent evening all things arranged both for Peace
or War, This Village (6) is Situated about the Center of a large Island
near the L. Side & near the foot of Some high bald uneaven hills,
Several french men Came up with Capt Lewis in a Perogue, one of which is a
Mr. Gravellin a man well versed in the language of this nation and gave us
Some information relitive to the Countrey naton &c
[Clark, October 8, 1804]
Orders
October the 8th 1804
Robert Frazer being regularly inlisted and haveing become on of the
Corps of Vollenteers for North Western Discovery, he is therefore to be
viewed & respected accordingly; and will be anexed to Sergeant Gass’s
mess.
Win Clark Cpt &. Meriwether Lewis River Marapa Capt. 1st U.S. Regt.
Infty
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8th of October Monday 1804. A cool morning, wind from the N.W. Passed the mouth of a small creek on the L.S. about 2½ miles above the island. Passed the mouth of a river on the L.S. called by the Ricaries We-tar-hoo. This river is 120 yards wide, the water confined within 20 yards, throws out mud with little sand. Great quantities of red berries, resembling currants, near the mouth of this river. Latitude 45° 39' 5" N. This river heads in the 1st Black Mountain. 2 miles higher up passed a small river on the L.S. called Maropa, 25 yards wide, choked up with mud. Our hunters discovered a Ricara village on an island a few miles above. We passed the 1st Ricara village about the center of the island, in presence of great numbers of spectators, and camped above the island on the L.S. at the foot of some high land. (Mr. Gravotine, a Frenchman, joined us as an interpreter.) The island on which the Ricara village is situated is about 3 miles long, separated from the main L. side by a narrow deep channel. Those Indians cultivate on the island corn, beans, simmins (squash), tobacco, etc. After landing, Capt. Lewis with Mr. Gravelin and 3 men went to the village. I formed a camp on shore with the pirogue crew and guard, with the boat at anchor. Capt. Lewis returned late; a Frenchman and a Spaniard accompanied him.
8th of October Monday 1804. A cool morning. Set out early, the wind from the N.W. Proceeded on. Passed the mouth of a small creek on the L.S. about 2½ miles above Grouse Island. (3) Passed a willow island which divides the current equally. (2) Passed the mouth of a river called by the Ricares We-tar-hoo on the L.S. This river is 120 yards wide, the water of which at this time is confined within 20 yards, discharging but a small quantity, throwing out mud with a small proportion of sand. Great quantities of the red berries, resembling currants, are on the river in every bend. 77° 33' 0". Latitude from the observation of today at the mouth of this river is 45° 39' 5" North. Proceeded on. Passed a (3) small river of 25 yards wide called (4) or Beaver Dam River. This river is entirely choked up with mud, with a stream of 1 inch diameter passing through, discharging no sand. At 1 (5) mile passed the lower point of an island close on the L.S. 2 of our men discovered the Ricaree village, about the center of the island on the L. side on the main shore. This island is about 3 miles long, separated from the L.S. by a channel of about 60 yards wide, very deep. The island is covered with fields, where those people raise their corn, tobacco, beans, etc. Great numbers of those people came on the island to see us pass. We passed above the head of the island, and Capt. Lewis with 2 interpreters and 2 men went to the village. I formed a camp of the French and the guard on shore, with one sentinel on board of the boat at anchor. A pleasant evening, all things arranged both for peace or war. This village (6) is situated about the center of a large island near the L. side and near the foot of some high bald uneven hills. Several Frenchmen came up with Capt. Lewis in a pirogue, one of which is a Mr. Gravellin, a man well versed in the language of this nation, and gave us some information relative to the country, nation, etc.
[Clark, October 8, 1804]
Orders
October the 8th 1804
Robert Frazer, being regularly enlisted and having become one of the Corps of Volunteers for North Western Discovery, is therefore to be viewed and respected accordingly, and will be annexed to Sergeant Gass's mess.
Wm. Clark, Capt., & Meriwether Lewis, River Marapa, Capt. 1st U.S. Regt. Infty.
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