Lost Trail Pass, meeting Flathead Salish at Ross’s Hole — Joseph Whitehouse: September 5, 1805

a clear cold morning. the Standing water froze a little last
night. we hoisted our large flag this morning. Several men
went out a hunting. about 10 oClock our officers held a
Council with the flat head nation and told them nearly the
Same as they told other nations, only told them that we wanted
a fiew horses from them, and we would give them Some
marchandize in return. Gave 4 of their principal men meddles
made them chiefs gave each of them a Shirt and a nomber of
other articles also 2 flags &c. then told them that we could
not Stop long with them and that we were ready to purchase
their horses, and that we could not talk with them as much as
we wish, for all that we Say has to go through 6 languages
before it gits to them and it is hard to make them understand
all what we Say. these Savages has the Strangest language of
any we have ever Seen. they appear to us to have an Emped-
diment in their Speech or a brogue or bur on their tongue but
they are the likelyest and honestst Savages we have ever yet
Seen. our officers lay out Some marchandize in different
piles to trade with the natives for horses. our officers bought
twelve horses and gave a Small quantity of marchandize for
each horse. we swapped 7 horses which were lame &c. Gave
Some Small articles to boot. we bought 1o or a Dozen pack
Saddles from the natives. our hunters all came to Camp
towards evening. one of them had killed 2 young Deer and
one brarow.