Clark: January 19, 1806

Tuesday 19th of January 1806 This morning Sent out two parties of hunters,
one party towards Point adams and the other party up Ne tel River by
water. we were visited to day by two Clatsop men and a woman who brought
for Sale Some Sea otter Skins of which we purchased one gave in exchange
the remainder of our blue heeds Consisting of 6 fathoms, and the Same
quantity of Small white beids and a knife. we also purchased a Small
quantity of train oil for a par of Brass arm bands, and a hat for Som
fishinghooks. these hats are of their own manufactory and are Composed of
Cedar bark and bear grass interwoven with the fingers and ornimented with
various Colours and figures, they are nearly water proof, light, and I am
Convinced are much more dureable than either Chip or Straw,These
hats form a article of traffic with Clatsops an Chinnooks who dispose of
them to the whites, the form of the Hats is that which was in voge in the
U States and Great Britain in 1800 & 1801 with a high Crown rather
larger at the top than where it joins the brim, the brim narrow about 2 or
21/2 inches.

Several families of those people usially reside together in the Same room;
they appear to be the father mother with their Sons and their Sons wives
and children; their provisions appears to be in common and the greatest
harmoney appears to exist among them. the old man is not always respected
as the head of the family that duty generally devolves on one of the young
men. They have Sildom more than one wife, yet plurality of wives are not
denyed them by their Customs. those families when associated form bands of
nations each acknowledgeing the authority of its own Chieftains, who does
not appear to be herititary, or has power to extend further than a mear
repremand for any improper deportment of the indevidual; the Creation of a
Chief depends upon the upright Conduct of the individual his abiltity and
disposition to render Service to the Comunity, and his authority and the
defference paid him is in extent equilibrio with the popolarity or
volintary esteem he has acquired among the individuals of his band, or
nation. Their Laws like all uncivilized Indians Consist of a Set of
customs which has grown out of their local Situations. not being able to
Speak their language we have not been able to inform ourselves of the
existance of any peculiar Customs among them.