Clark: September 3, 1806
Strong southwest winds blew sand over the camp overnight, making rest difficult. The party set out against a headwind, passed the Redstone River, and traveled 60 miles down a sandbar-filled Missouri. In the afternoon they encountered two trading boats led by James Aird, a trader licensed to deal with the Sioux. Aird, ill with ague, hosted Lewis and Clark and shared news from the States, including Hamilton's death in a duel with Burr, Wilkinson's appointment as Louisiana governor, and various political and military events. A violent thunderstorm struck that evening.
Wednesday 3rd of September 1806 Wind Continued to blow very hard this
morning. it Shifted last night to the S. W. and blew the Sand over us in
Such a manner as to render the after part of the night very disagreeable.
the wind luled a little and we Set out and proceeded on with the wind a
head passed the enterance of redstone River on the N E. Side at 11 A M.
and at half past 4 P. M we Spied two boats & Several men, our party
peyed their Ores and we Soon landed on the Side of the Boats the men of
these boats Saluted us with their Small arms I landed & was met by a
Mr. James Airs from Mackanaw by way of Prarie Dechien and St. Louis. this
Gentleman is of the house of Dickson & Co. of Prarie de Chian who has
a Licence to trade for one year with the Sieoux he has 2 Batteaux loaded
with Merchendize for that purpose. This Gentleman receved both Capt. Lewis
and my Self with every mark of friendship he was himself at the time with
a chill of the agu on him which he has had for Several days. our first
enquirey was after the President of our country and then our friends and
the State of the politicks of our country &c. and the State Indian
affairs to all of which enquireys Mr. Aires gave us as Satisfactory
information as he had it in his power to have Collected in the Illinois
which was not a great deel. soon after we Landed a violent Storm of
Thunder Lightning and rain from the N W. which was violent with hard Claps
of thunder and Sharp Lightning which continued untill 10 P M after which
the wind blew hard. I set up late and partook of the tent of Mr. Aires
which was dry. Mr. Aires unfortunately had his boat Sunk on the 25 of July
last by a violent Storm of Wind and hail by which accident he lost the
most of his usefull articles as he informd. us. this Gentleman informed us
of maney Changes & misfortunes which had taken place in the Illinois
amongst others the loss of Mr. Cady Choteaus house and furniture by fire.
for this misfortune of our friend Choteaus I feel my Self very much
Concernd &c. he also informed us that Genl. Wilkinson was the governor
of the Louisiana and at St. Louis. 300 of the american Troops had been
Contuned on the Missouri a fiew miles above it’s mouth, Some disturbance
with the Spaniards in the Nackatosh Country is the Cause of their being
Called down to that Country, the Spaniards had taken one of the U, States
frigates in the Mediteranean, Two British Ships of the line had fired on
an American Ship in the port of New York, and killed the Capts. brother. 2
Indians had been hung in St. Louis for murder and several others in jale.
and that Mr. Burr & Genl. Hambleton fought a Duel, the latter was
killed &c. &c. I am happy to find that my worthy friend Capt L’s
is so well as to walk about with ease to himself &c., we made 60 Miles
to day the river much crowded with Sand bars, which are very differently
Situated from what they were when we went up.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday, 3rd of September 1806. The wind continued to blow very hard this morning. It shifted last night to the S.W. and blew the sand over us in such a manner as to render the latter part of the night very disagreeable. The wind lulled a little and we set out and proceeded on with the wind ahead. We passed the entrance of Redstone River on the N.E. side at 11 A.M., and at half past 4 P.M. we spied two boats and several men. Our party plied their oars and we soon landed alongside of the boats. The men of these boats saluted us with their small arms. I landed and was met by a Mr. James Airs from Mackinaw by way of Prairie du Chien and St. Louis. This gentleman is of the house of Dickson & Co. of Prairie du Chien, who has a license to trade for one year with the Sioux. He has 2 bateaux loaded with merchandise for that purpose.
This gentleman received both Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and myself with every mark of friendship. He was himself at the time with a chill of the ague on him, which he has had for several days. Our first inquiry was after the President of our country, and then our friends and the state of the politics of our country, etc., and the state of Indian affairs. To all of which inquiries Mr. Airs gave us as satisfactory information as he had it in his power to have collected in the Illinois, which was not a great deal.
Soon after we landed a violent storm of thunder, lightning, and rain came from the N.W., which was violent with hard claps of thunder and sharp lightning, and continued until 10 P.M., after which the wind blew hard. I sat up late and shared the tent of Mr. Airs, which was dry. Mr. Airs unfortunately had his boat sunk on the 25th of July last by a violent storm of wind and hail, by which accident he lost most of his useful articles, as he informed us.
This gentleman informed us of many changes and misfortunes which had taken place in the Illinois, among others the loss of Mr. Cady Chouteau's house and furniture by fire. For this misfortune of our friend Chouteau I feel myself very much concerned, etc. He also informed us that Genl. Wilkinson was the governor of Louisiana and at St. Louis; that 300 of the American troops had been stationed on the Missouri a few miles above its mouth; that some disturbance with the Spaniards in the Natchitoches country is the cause of their being called down to that country; that the Spaniards had taken one of the U.S. frigates in the Mediterranean; that two British ships of the line had fired on an American ship in the port of New York and killed the captain's brother; that 2 Indians had been hanged in St. Louis for murder and several others were in jail; and that Mr. Burr and Genl. Hamilton fought a duel, the latter being killed, etc., etc.
I am happy to find that my worthy friend Capt. L. is so well as to walk about with ease to himself, etc. We made 60 miles today. The river is much crowded with sandbars, which are very differently situated from what they were when we went up.
This modernization is AI-generated for accessibility. The original above is the authoritative version.
Entities mentioned in this entry
Auto-extracted from the entry text. Hover any entity for context.
