Clark: August 14, 1806

Thursday 14th August 1806 Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on. when we
were opposit the Minetares Grand Village we Saw a number of the Nativs
viewing of we derected the Blunderbuses fired Several times, Soon after we
Came too at a Croud of the nativs on the bank opposit the Village of the
Shoe Indians or Mah-har-ha’s at which place I saw the principal Chief of
the Little Village of the Menitarre & the principal Chief of the
Mah-har-has. those people were extreamly pleased to See us. the Chief of
the little Village of the Menetarias cried most imoderately, I enquired
the Cause and was informed it was for the loss of his Son who had been
killed latterly by the Blackfoot Indians. after a delay of a fiew minits I
proceeded on to the black Cats Village on the N. E. Side of the Missouri
where I intended to Encamp but the Sand blew in Such a manner that we
deturmined not to continu on that Side but return to the Side we had left.
here we were visited by all the inhabitants of this village who appeared
equally as well pleased to See us as those above. I walked up to the Black
Cats village & eate some Simnins with him, and Smoked a pipe this
Village I discovered had been rebuilt Since I left it and much Smaller
than it was; on enquirey into the Cause was informed that a quarrel had
taken place and Lodges had removed to the opposd Side. I had Soon as I
landed despatched Shabono to the Minetarras inviting the Chiefs to visit
us, & Drewyer down to the lower Village of the Mandans to ask Mr.
Jessomme to Come and enterpret for us. Mr. Jessomme arived and I spoke to
the chiefs of the Village informing them that we Spoke to them as we had
done when we were with them last and we now repeeted our envitation to the
principal Chiefs of all the Villages to accompany us and to the U States
&c. &c. the Black Cat Chief of the Mandans, Spoke and informed me
that he wished to Visit the United States and his Great Father but was
afraid of the Scioux who were yet at war with them and had killed Several
of their men Since we had left them, and were on the river below and would
Certainly kill him if he attempted to go dow.i. I indeavered to do away
with his objections by informig him that we would not Suffer those indians
to hurt any of our red Children who Should think proper to accompany us,
and on their return they would be equally protected, and their presents
which would be very liberal, with themselves, Conveyed to their own
Country at the expence of the U. States &c. &c. The chief promised
us Some corn tomorrow. after the Council I directed the Canoes to cross
the river to a brook opposit where we Should be under the wind and in a
plain where we would be Clear of musquetors & after Crossing the Chief
of the Mah har has told me if I would Send with him he would let me have
some corn. I directed Sergt Gass & 2 men to accompany him to his
Village, they Soon returned loaded with Corn. the Chief and his wife also
came down. I gave his wife a fiew Needles &c.The Great Chif of
all the Menitarres the one eye Came to Camp also Several other Chiefs of
the different Villages. I assembled all the Chiefs on a leavel Spot on the
band and Spoke to them & see next book.