Clark: October 28, 1804

28th of October 1804 the wind So hard from the S. W. We could not meet the
Indians in Councils, those who visited us we Sent to the nearest village,
Consulted the Black Cat M Chief about the Chiefs of the Different
Villages, who gave his Oppinion to us.

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Sunday 28th of October 1804 a windey Day, fair and Clear many of the
Grosvantres (or Big Bellies) and Watersons Came to See us and hear the
Council the wind being So violently hard from the S. W. provented our
going into Councel, (indeed the Chiefs of the Manodans from the lower
Village Could not Cross, we made up the presents and entertained Several
of the Curious Cheifs whome, wished to See the Boat which was verry
Curious to them viewing it as great medison, as they also viewed my black
Servent The Black Cat Grand Chief of the Mandans, Capt Lewis & my Self
with an Interpeter walked up the river about 11/2 miles our views were to
examine the Situation & Timbers for a fort, we found the Situation
good but the Timber Scerce, or at least Small timbr Such as would answer
us-, we Cunsulted the Grand Chief in respect to the other Chiefs of the
Defferent Villages he gave the names of 12George Drewyer Cought 2
Beaver above our Camp last night, we had Several presents from the Woman
of Corn boild homney, Soft Corn &c. &c. I prosent ajar to the
Chiefs wife who recved it with much pleasure our men verry Chearfull this
eveningwe Sent the Cheifs of the Gross Vantres to Smoke a pipe with
the Grand Chef of the Mandins in his Village, & told them we would
Speek tomorrow.