Clark: September 12, 1806
Setting out at sunrise after a foggy, dewy morning, the party traveled about seven miles before encountering two pirogues from St. Louis—one carrying Mr. Chouteau's goods bound for the Pawnees on the River Platte, the other heading up to trap among the Omahas. They soon met Mr. McClellan at St. Michael's Prairie, along with interpreters Joseph Gravelines and old Mr. Dorion, who carried presidential messages and presents for the Arikaras and Sioux. Clark expanded their instructions regarding chiefs visiting Washington. Due to wet weather, the group camped for the night and sent hunters ahead.
Friday 12th of September 1806 a thick fog a litile before day which blew
off at day light. a heavy Dew this morning. we Set out at Sunrise the
usial hour and proceeded on very well about 7 miles met 2 perogues from
St. Louis one contained the property of Mr. Choteau bound to the panias on
River Platt, the other going up trapping as high as the Mahars. here we
met one of the french men who had accompanied us as high as the Mandans he
informed us that Mr. McClellen was a fiew miles below the wind blew a head
Soon after we pased those perogues, we Saw a man on Shore who informed us
that he was one of Mr. McClellens party and that he was a Short distance
below, we took this man on board and proceeded on and Met Mr. McClellin at
the St. Michl. Prarie we came too here we found Mr. Jo. Gravelin the
Ricaras enterpreter whome we had Sent down with a Ricaras Chief in the
Spring of 1805 and old Mr. Durion the Sieux enterpreter, we examined the
instructions of those interpreters and found that Gravelin was ordered to
the Ricaras with a Speach from the president of the U. States to that
nation and some presents which had been given the Ricara Cheif who had
visited the U. States and unfortunately died at the City of Washington, he
was instructed to teach the Ricaras agriculture & make every enquirey
after Capt Lewis my self and the party Mr. Durion was enstructed to
accompany Gravelin and through his influence pass him with his presents
& by the tetons bands of Sieux, and to provale on Some of the
Principal chiefs of those bands not exceeding six to Visit the Seat of the
Government next Spring he was also enstructed to make every enquirey after
us. we made Some Small addition to his instructions by extending the
number of Chiefs to 10 or 12 or 3 from each band including the Yanktons
&c. Mr. McClellin receved us very politely, and gave us all the news
and occurrences which had taken place in the Illinois within his knowledge
the evening proveing to be wet and Cloudy we Concluded to continue all
night, we despatched the two Canoes a head to hunt with 5 hunters in them
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Friday, 12th of September 1806. A thick fog appeared a little before day, which blew off at daylight. There was a heavy dew this morning. We set out at sunrise, the usual hour, and proceeded on very well. About 7 miles on, we met 2 pirogues from St. Louis. One contained the property of Mr. Choteau (Chouteau), bound for the Pawnees on the River Platte; the other was going up to trap as high as the Mahars (Omahas). Here we met one of the Frenchmen who had accompanied us as high as the Mandans. He informed us that Mr. McClellen (McClellan) was a few miles below. The wind blew ahead soon after we passed those pirogues. We saw a man on shore who informed us that he was one of Mr. McClellen's party and that Mr. McClellen was a short distance below. We took this man on board and proceeded on, and met Mr. McClellin at the St. Michl. (St. Michael's) Prairie. We came to here. We found Mr. Jo. Gravelin (Gravelines), the Ricaras (Arikara) interpreter, whom we had sent down with a Ricaras chief in the spring of 1805, and old Mr. Durion (Dorion), the Sieux (Sioux) interpreter. We examined the instructions of those interpreters and found that Gravelin was ordered to the Ricaras with a speech from the President of the United States to that nation, and some presents which had been given to the Ricara chief who had visited the U.S. and unfortunately died at the City of Washington. He was instructed to teach the Ricaras agriculture and to make every inquiry after Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis), myself, and the party. Mr. Durion was instructed to accompany Gravelin and, through his influence, to pass him with his presents by the Teton bands of Sioux, and to prevail on some of the principal chiefs of those bands, not exceeding six, to visit the seat of the government next spring. He was also instructed to make every inquiry after us. We made some small additions to his instructions by extending the number of chiefs to 10 or 12, or 3 from each band, including the Yanktons, etc. Mr. McClellin received us very politely and gave us all the news and occurrences which had taken place in the Illinois within his knowledge. The evening proving to be wet and cloudy, we concluded to stay all night. We dispatched the two canoes ahead to hunt, with 5 hunters in them.
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