Lewis: January 1, 1806

Fort Clatsop 1806. January 1st Tuesday. This morning I was awoke at an
early hour by the discharge of a volley of small arms, which were fired by
our party in front of our quarters to usher in the new year; this was the
only mark of rispect which we had it in our power to pay this celebrated
day. our repast of this day tho better than that of Christmass, consisted
principally in the anticipation of the 1st day of January 1807, when in
the bosom of our friends we hope to participate in the mirth and hilarity
of the day, and when with the zest given by the recollection of the
present, we shall completely, both mentally and corporally, enjoy the
repast which the hand of civilization has prepared for us. at present we
were content with eating our boiled Elk and wappetoe, and solacing our
thirst with our only beverage pure water. two of our hunters who set out
this morning reterned in the evening having killed two bucks elk; they
presented Capt. Clark and myself each a marrow-bone and tonge, on which we
suped. visited today by a few of the Clotsops who brought some roots and
burries for the purpose of trading with us. we were uneasy with rispect to
two of our men, Willard and Wiser, who were dispatched on the 28th ulto.
with the saltmakers, and were directed to return immediately; their not
having returned induces us to believe it probable that they have missed
their way.our fourtification being now completed we issued an order
for the more exact and uniform dicipline and government of the garrison.
(see orderly book 1st January 1806).-

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Fort Clatsop, January 1st 1806 The fort being now completed, the
Commanding officers think proper to direct that the guard shall as usual
consist of one Sergeant and three privates, and that the same be regularly
relieved each morning at sun rise. The post of the new guard shall be in
the room of the Sergeants rispectivly commanding the same. the centinel
shall be posted, both day and night, on the parade in front of the
commanding offercers quarters; tho should he at any time think proper to
remove himself to any other part of the fort, in order the better to
inform himself of the desighns or approach of any party of savages, he is
not only at liberty, but is hereby required to do so. It shall be the duty
of the centinel also to announce the arrival of all parties of Indians to
the Sergeant of the Guard, who shall immediately report the same to the
Commanding officers.

The Commanding Officers require and charge the Garrison to treat the
natives in a friendly manner; nor will they be permitted at any time, to
abuse, assault or strike them; unless such abuse assault or stroke be
first given by the natives. nevertheless it shall be right for any
individual, in a peaceable manner, to refuse admittance to, or put out of
his room, any native who may become troublesome to him; and should such
native refuse to go when requested, or attempt to enter their rooms after
being forbidden to do so; it shall be the duty of the Sergeant of the
guard on information of the same, to put such native out of the fort and
see that he is not again admitted during that day unless specially
permitted; and the Sergeant of the guard may for this purpose imploy such
coercive measures (not extending to the taking of life) as shall at his
discretion be deemed necessary to effect the same.

When any native shall be detected in theft, the Sergt. of the guard shall
immediately inform the Commanding offercers of the same, to the end that
such measures may be pursued with rispect to the culprit as they shall
think most expedient.

At sunset on each day, the Sergt. attended by the interpreter Charbono and
two of his guard, will collect and put out of the fort, all Indians except
such as may specially be permitted to remain by the Commanding offercers,
nor shall they be again admitted untill the main gate be opened the
ensuing morning.

At Sunset, or immediately after the Indians have been dismissed, both
gates shall be shut, and secured, and the main gate locked and continue so
untill sunrise the next morning; the water-gate may be used freely by the
Garrison for the purpose of passing and repassing at all times, tho from
sunset, untill sunrise, it shall be the duty of the centinel, to open the
gate for, and shut it after all persons passing and repassing, suffering
the same never to remain unfixed long than is absolutely necessary.

It shall be the duty of the Sergt. of the guard to keep the kee of the
Meat house, and to cause the guard to keep regular fires therein when the
same may be necessary; and also once at least in 24 hours to visit the
canoes and see that they are safely secured; and shall further on each
morning after he is relieved, make his report verbally to the Commandg
officers.

Each of the old guard will every morning after being relieved furnish two
loads of wood for the commanding offercers fire.

No man is to be particularly exempt from the duty of bringing meat from
the woods, nor none except the Cooks and Interpreters from that of
mounting guard.

Each mess being furnished with an ax, they are directed to deposit in the
room of the commanding offercers all other public tools of which they are
possessed; nor shall the same at any time hereafter be taken from the said
deposit without the knoledge and permission of the commanding officers;
and any individual so borrowing the tools are strictly required to bring
the same back the moment he has ceased to use them, and no case shall they
be permited to keep them out all night.

Any individual selling or disposing of any tool or iron or steel
instrument, arms, accoutrements or ammunicion, shall be deemed guilty of a
breach of this order, and shall be tryed and punished accordingly.the
tools loaned to John Shields are excepted from the restrictions of this
order.

Meriwether Lewis Capt. 1st U.S. Regt. Wm. Clark Capt. &c