Clark: July 22, 1804

July 22nd Sunday Set out verry early with a view of getting Some timbered
land & a good Situation to take equil altitudes in time proceeded on
nearly a North 15° W 7 ms. to a pt. S. S. opposit Some high Lands on L. S.
above the upper point of a long willow Island in the middle of the river 6
Deer killed to Day we deturmined to Stay here 4 or 5 days to take &
make obsvts. & refresh our men also to Send Despatches back to
govementWind hard N. W. Cold

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22nd of July 1804 Completlly arranged our Camp, posted two Sentinals So as
to Completely guard the Camp, formd bowers for the min $cc. &. Course
from R Plate N 15° W. 10 Ms.

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July 22nd, Sunday 1804 Set out verry early with a view of Getting to Some
Situation above in time to take equal altitudes and take Observations, as
well as one Calculated to make our party Comfortabl in a Situation where
they Could recive the benifit of a Shadepassed a large Sand bar
opposit a Small river on the L. S. at 3 miles above Plate Called Papillion
or Butterfly Creek a Sand bar & an Willow Island opposit a Creek 9 ms.
above the Plate on the S. S. Called Mosquitos Creek Prarie on both Sides
of the river. Came too and formed a Camp on the S. S. above a Small Willow
Island, and opposit the first Hill which aproach the river on the L. S.
and covered with timbers of Oake Walnut Elm &c. &. This being a
good Situation and much nearer the Otteaus town than the Mouth of the
Platt, we concluded to delay at this place a fiew days and Send for Some
of the Chiefs of that nation to let them Know of the Change of Government,
The wishes of our Government to Cultivate friendship with them, the
Objects of our journy and to present them with a flag and Some Small
presents

Some of our Provisions in the French Perogue being wet it became necessary
to Dry them a fiew daysWind hard from N W. five Deer Killed to dayThe
river rise a little