Clark: September 20, 1806

Saturday 20th Septr. 1806 as three of the party was unabled to row from
the State of their eyes we found it necessary to leave one of our Crafts
and divide the men into the other Canoes, we left the two Canoes lashed
together which I had made high up the River Rochejhone, those Canoes we
Set a drift and a little after day light we Set out and proceeded on very
well. The Osage river very low and discharges but a Small quantity of
water at this time for so large a river. at meridian we passed the
enterance of the Gasconnade river below which we met a perogue with 5
french men bound to the Osarge Gd. village. the party being extreemly
anxious to get down ply their ores very well, we Saw Some cows on the bank
which was a joyfull Sight to the party and Caused a Shout to be raised for
joy at ____ P M we Came in Sight of the little french Village called
Charriton the men raised a Shout and Sprung upon their ores and we soon
landed opposit to the Village. our party requested to be permited to fire
off their Guns which was alowed & they discharged 3 rounds with a
harty Cheer, which was returned from five tradeing boats which lay opposit
the village. we landed and were very politely received by two young Scotch
men from Canada one in the employ of Mr. Aird a Mr. ____ and the other Mr.
Reed, two other boats the property of Mr. Lacomb & Mr. ____ all of
those boats were bound to the Osage and Ottoes. those two young Scotch
gentlemen furnished us with Beef flower and Some pork for our men, and
gave us a very agreeable supper. as it was like to rain we accepted of a
bed in one of their tents. we purchased of a Citizen two gallons of
Whiskey for our party for which we were obliged to give Eight dollars in
Cash, an imposition on the part of the Citizen. every person, both French
and americans Seem to express great pleasure at our return, and
acknowledged them selves much astonished in Seeing us return. they
informed us that we were Supposed to have been lost long Since, and were
entirely given out by every person &c.

Those boats are from Canada in the batteaux form and wide in perpotion to
their length. their length about 30 feet and the width 8 feet &
pointed bow & Stern, flat bottom and rowing Six ores only the
Skeneckeity form. those Bottoms are prepared for the navigation of this
river, I beleive them to be the best Calculated for the navigation of this
river of any which I have Seen. they are wide and flat not Subject to the
dangers of the roleing Sands, which larger boats are on this river. the
American inhabitants express great disgust for the govermt of this
Teritory. from what I can lern it arises from a disapmt. of getting all
the Spanish Grants Confirmed-. Came 68 ms. to day.