Patrick Gass: November 24, 1805
With clear weather finally allowing astronomical observations, the expedition stayed in camp at the head of the bay, determining their latitude at 46°19'11.7" north and measuring the river's width at over three miles. Local Native Americans visited throughout the day. That evening, the commanding officers consulted the entire party about where to establish winter quarters. Most members favored crossing to the south side of the river to scout for good hunting grounds, which would also provide better access to salt, a resource currently in short supply.
As this was a fine clear day, it was thought proper to remain
here in order to take some observations, which the bad
weather had before rendered impossible. The latitude of this
bay was found to be 46° 19 11 .7 north;* and at our camp at
the head of the bay the river is 3 miles and 660 yards wide.
The natives staid with us all day. At night the party were
consulted by the Commanding Officers, as to the place most
proper for winter quarters; and the most of them were of
opinion, that it would be best, in the first place, to go over to
the south side of the river, and ascertain whether good hunt-
ing ground could be found there. Should that be the case,
it would be a more eligible place than higher up the river, on
account of getting salt, as that is a very scarce article with us.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
As this was a fine clear day, it was thought proper to remain here in order to take some observations, which the bad weather had previously rendered impossible. The latitude of this bay was found to be 46° 19' 11.7" north;* and at our camp at the head of the bay, the river is 3 miles and 660 yards wide. The natives stayed with us all day. At night, the party was consulted by the Commanding Officers as to the most proper place for winter quarters; and most of them were of the opinion that it would be best, in the first place, to go over to the south side of the river and find out whether good hunting ground could be found there. Should that be the case, it would be a more suitable place than higher up the river, because of getting salt, as that is a very scarce article with us.
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