Missouri near Floyd’s Bluff and Council Bluffs — John Ordway: September 12, 1806
Around 9 A.M., the party met two canoes carrying eleven Frenchmen, one transporting goods for Mr. Chouteau and others heading upriver to trap. Hunters killed a bear, and one of McClellan's hunters provided a fat buck. They soon encountered Robert McClellan himself with a heavily loaded keelboat bound for the Mahas and Yanktons, accompanied by Gravelines and Pierre Dorion. McClellan shared wine and whiskey, reported that Americans believed the expedition lost, and relayed news of conflict with Spain near Mexico. The group camped on the north side amid light evening showers.
and procd on about 9 A. M. we met 2 two canoes and 11 french-
man 1 of which was loaded with Mr Shotoes [Chouteau’s] goods
from S* Louis the others going up trapping one of the men was
along which accompanied us to the Mandans in 1804. he in-
formed us that Mr McLanen2 is but a Short distance a head below
the hunters killed a bear we then procd on Soon met one of
JVTLanens Hunters who gave us a fat buck he came on board,
and we procd a Short distance and met Mr McLanen with a large
keel Boat which [was] roed with 12 oars he was rejoiced to see
us only two Englishmen besides Mr McLanen the rest french-
man. Mr Gravveleen [Gravelines] & Mr Drewyong3 was with
him. this keel Boat was well loaded down with Marchandizes
and is going up to the Marhars and yanktons to winter their, we
mooved across the the river and Camped on N. S. 2 Small canoes
Sent on a head to hunt. AT McLanen gave our officers wine and
the party as much whiskey as we all could drink. Mr McLanen
informed us that the people in general in the united States were
concerned about us as they had heard that we were all killed then
again they heard that the Spanyards had us in the mines &C.
Mr Gravveleen & Mr Drewyong had orders to make all enquiries
for us. Mr Gravveleen took a chief of the Rickarees on to the
Seat of government & he died their and Mr Gravveleen has got
the presents for his nation. Mr Drewyong took Several Indians
1 About four miles above the (‘.rand Nemaha River, and a short distance
above the southern boundary of Nebraska.
– Robert McClellan, whom both Lewis and Clark had known as a scout in
General Wayne’s campaign against the Northwestern tribes a dozen years
earlier. He was now engaged in the western fur trade with headquarters at
St. Louis, in the years 1811-13 he followed in the track of Lewis and Clark
across the continent to Astoria. lie died at St. Louis in 1815.
3 Pierre Dorion. Lewis and Clark’s erstwhile interpreter.
1806] SERGEANT ORDWAY’S JOURNAL 399
of the yanktons and Mahars down to Sl Louis and as Cap1 Stod-
dard was absent who had orders to send all Indians on they were
not Sent on and are now on their return. Mr McLanen informed
us that the Spanyards or Spain towards Mexico had broke out
against the u. states United States and have killed a party of
americans who went to See their country, and that all or a great
number of troops had gone down to Neworleans and up red
river where a great number of Spaniards have gathred in a body
for war. Some of our party exchanged robes &C. for Shirts, we
had Small Showers of rain this evening, and we were treated in
the best manner by this party.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
We proceeded on about 9 A.M. We met two canoes and 11 Frenchmen, one of which was loaded with Mr. Shotoes [Chouteau's] goods from St. Louis, the others going up trapping. One of the men was along who accompanied us to the Mandans in 1804. He informed us that Mr. McLanen is but a short distance ahead. Below, the hunters killed a bear. We then proceeded on. Soon we met one of McLanen's hunters, who gave us a fat buck. He came on board, and we proceeded a short distance and met Mr. McLanen with a large keel boat which was rowed with 12 oars. He was rejoiced to see us. Only two Englishmen besides Mr. McLanen, the rest Frenchmen. Mr. Gravveleen [Gravelines] and Mr. Drewyong [Dorion] were with him. This keel boat was well loaded down with merchandise and is going up to the Mahars and Yanktons to winter there. We moved across the river and camped on the north side. Two small canoes were sent on ahead to hunt. Mr. McLanen gave our officers wine and the party as much whiskey as we all could drink.
Mr. McLanen informed us that the people in general in the United States were concerned about us, as they had heard that we were all killed, then again they heard that the Spaniards had us in the mines, etc. Mr. Gravveleen and Mr. Drewyong had orders to make all inquiries for us. Mr. Gravveleen took a chief of the Rickarees [Arikaras] on to the seat of government, and he died there, and Mr. Gravveleen has got the presents for his nation. Mr. Drewyong took several Indians of the Yanktons and Mahars down to St. Louis, and as Captain Stoddard was absent, who had orders to send all Indians on, they were not sent on and are now on their return.
Mr. McLanen informed us that the Spaniards, or Spain, towards Mexico had broken out against the United States and had killed a party of Americans who went to see their country, and that all, or a great number, of troops had gone down to New Orleans and up Red River, where a great number of Spaniards have gathered in a body for war. Some of our party exchanged robes, etc., for shirts. We had small showers of rain this evening, and we were treated in the best manner by this party.
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