Clark: September 10, 1806
The party set off early with a moderate headwind and made good progress downriver. In the afternoon they encountered Alexander La Fass and three Frenchmen from St. Louis in a small pirogue heading to the River Platte to trade with the Pawnee Loup. He shared news that General Wilkinson's troops had descended the Mississippi and that Pike and young Wilkinson had launched an expedition up the Arkansas. Three miles on, they met another trader, La Craw, with seven men bound for the Maha. They navigated a hazardous stretch full of snags and sawyers, covering 65 miles before camping on a sandbar above the Grand Nemaha.
Wednesday 10th of September 1806 we Set out very early this morning and
proceeded on very well with wind moderately a head at ____ P M we met a
Mr. Alexander La fass and three french men from St. Louis in a Small
perogue on his way to the River Platt to trade with the Pania Luup or Wolf
Indians. this man was extreemly friendly to us he offered us any thing he
had, we axcepted of a bottle of whisky only which we gave to our party,
Mr. la frost informed us that Genl. Wilkinson and all the troops had
decended the Mississippi and Mr. Pike and young Mr. Wilkinson had Set out
on an expedition up the Arkansaw river or in that direction after a delay
of half an hour we proceedd on about 3 miles and met a large perogue and 7
Men from St. Louis bound to the Mahars for the purpose of trade, this
perogue was in Charge of a Mt. La Craw, we made Some fiew enquiries of
this man and again proceeded on through a very bad part of the river
Crouded with Snags & Sawyers and incamped on a Sand bar about 4 miles
above the Grand Nemahar. we find the river in this timbered Country narrow
and more moveing Sands and a much greater quantity of Sawyers or Snags
than above. Great caution and much attention is required to Stear Clear of
all those dificuelties in this low State of the water. we made 65 Miles to
day. we Saw Deer rackoons and turkies on the Shores to day one of the men
killed a racoon which the indians very much admired.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday, 10th of September 1806. We set out very early this morning and proceeded on very well, with the wind moderately ahead. At ____ P.M. we met a Mr. Alexander La fass (La Fass) and three Frenchmen from St. Louis in a small pirogue, on his way to the River Platt (Platte) to trade with the Pania Luup or Wolf Indians. This man was extremely friendly to us; he offered us anything he had. We accepted only a bottle of whiskey, which we gave to our party.
Mr. la frost (La Frost) informed us that Genl. Wilkinson (General Wilkinson) and all the troops had descended the Mississippi, and that Mr. Pike and young Mr. Wilkinson had set out on an expedition up the Arkansaw (Arkansas) river, or in that direction. After a delay of half an hour, we proceeded on about 3 miles and met a large pirogue and 7 men from St. Louis bound to the Mahars (Omahas) for the purpose of trade. This pirogue was in charge of a Mr. La Craw. We made some few inquiries of this man and again proceeded on through a very bad part of the river, crowded with snags and sawyers, and camped on a sand bar about 4 miles above the Grand Nemahar (Nemaha).
We find the river in this timbered country narrow, with more moving sands and a much greater quantity of sawyers or snags than above. Great caution and much attention are required to steer clear of all these difficulties in this low state of the water. We made 65 miles today. We saw deer, raccoons, and turkeys on the shores today. One of the men killed a raccoon, which the Indians very much admired.
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