Auguste Chouteau Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Auguste Chouteau: Dinner Invitation to General William Clark

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:47:42 +0000

English Translation

Auguste Chouteau requests General W. Clark to do him the honor of dining at his home next Sunday two hours after noon.

Original French Text

Auguste Chouteau prie le General W. Clark de lui faire l’honneur de diner chez lui dimanche prochain deux heures apres midi.

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Auguste Chouteau to Thomas Jefferson, November 20, 1804

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:47:42 +0000

English Translation

Sir, Captain Lewis, during the stay he had here before departing for Missouri, charged me with sending you some notes relating to the savage nations, and the trade that they do in Louisiana and to whom this district is sensitive. As I occupied myself with this important work, I was named by the people of the district of Louisiana to present their petition to congress; a mission I accepted with joy, hoping they It would offer me the occasion to make your acquaintance and assure you of my devotion. So, I have suspended my work, preferring to respond in person to the questions that Mr. Lewis left me via writing. However, after five days of travel, I was stopped by the sweat and forced to return to my home. I cannot express to you, sir, the extent of my sorrow at this setback, which prevented me from responding to the trust of my principals and at the same time satisfy the desires of Captain Lewis; but to remedy this as soon as possible, I sent to Mr. J. Wm. Eppes, following the advice of Mr. Harrison our governor, the petition of our inhabitants begging him to wish to be the advocate of our cause and to help with his council Mr. Eligius Fromentin who is like me a representative of the people of the District of Louisianna: I shall pick up my work again with ardor, to send it to you as promptly as possible; but as it will demand much thought and time, I believed it necessary, at this time, to send you some notes, which may interest you, although they do not entirely respond to Captain Lewis’ questions. As for news that is certain, I learned that Captain Lewis arrived without any accident 850 miles from the mouth of the Missouri around the 19th of August, as the savages received him perfectly well; and I presume that he will pass the winter season with the Mandanes, about 1300 miles from here. If I have the pleasure to see you, my intention will be to recommend to you the inhabitants of Louisianna as submitted and loyal citizens but who need encouragement and for you to inspire for them the state that they deserve. I dare to flatter myself that you will not find what I have done here by writing wrong. I intend to do so if I have the honor to see you. My supporters and I, Sir, we are infinitely jealous to earn your esteem, and have decided to do everything to earn it. If I can be happy enough to be useful to you in anything whatsoever, I beg you to state it without reserve, to the one who has the honor to be with the sentiments of most profound respect Sir. Your Very humble & very obedient servant, Auguste Chouteau

Original French Text

St. Louis Le 20. Novembre 1804 Monsieur Monsr. le capitaine Lewis dans le séjour qu’il a fait ici avant son depart pour le Missoury, m’avoit chargé de vous envoyer des notes relatives aux nations sauvages, et au commerce qui se fait dans la Louisiane, et dont ce district est susceptible; Comme Je m’occupois de ce travail conséquent, J’ai été nommé par les habitans du District de la Louisiane, pour présenter au Congres leur petition; Mission que j’ai accepté avec joie, espérant qu’elle me fourniroit l’occasion de faire votre connoissance, et de vous assurer de mon entier dévouement. J’ai alors suspendu mon travail, préferant répondre de vive voix, aux questions que Mr Lewis m’a laissées par écrit. Mais après cinq jours de route, J’ai été arreté par la goutte, et forcé de revenir chez moi. Je ne puis vous exprimer, Monsieur, combien Je suis peiné de ce contretems, qui m’empêche de répondre à la confiance de mes cometans et en même temps de satisfaire aux desirs du Cape. Lewis; mais pour y remedier autant que possible, J’envoye à Mr. J. Wm. Eppes d’après le conseil de Mr Harrison notre gouverneur, la petition de nos habitans, en le priant de vouloir bien être l’avocat de notre cause, et d’aider de ses conseils Mr Eligius Fromentin, qui est comme moi réprésentans des habitans du District de la Louisiane: Je vais reprendre avec ardeur, mon travail, pour vous l’envoyer le plus promptement possible; mais comme il exige beaucoup de reflexions et de temps, Je crois devoir par cette occasion, vous envoyer quelques notes, qui pourront vous intéresser, quoiqu’elles ne repondent point entierement aux questions du Capitaine Lewis. Par des nouvelles certaines, J’ai appris que le Cape. Lewis étoit arrivé sans aucun accident a Huit cent cinquante mille de l’ambouchure du Missoury a l’époque du 19. d’aoust dernier, que les sauvages l’avoyent parfaitement reçus; et Je presume qu’il passera la saison de L’hivers chez les Mandanes, à environ 1300 Miles d’ici. Si J’avois eu le bonheur de vous voir, mon intention étoit de vous recommander les habitans de la Louisiane comme des Citoyens soumis et fidels, mais qui ont besoin d’encouragement, et de vous inspirer pour eux, l’état qu’ils meritent. J’ose me flatter que vous ne trouverez pas mauvais, que Je fasse par ecrit, ce que Je conptois faire si J’avois eu L’honneur de vous voir. Mes cometans et moi, Monsieur, nous sommes infiniment jaloux de meriter votre estime, et sommes décidés à faire tout pour l’obtenir Si J’étois assez heureux pour pouvoir vous être utile en quelque chose que ce soit, Je vous prie de disposer sans réserve, de celui que a L’honneur d’etre avec les sentiments du respect le plus profond Monsieur Votre Très humble & très obeissant serviteur. Augte. Chouteau

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Treaty with the Sioux, 1816

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:04:39 +0000

This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and 8 Sioux tribes to re-establish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It mutually forgave past injuries and renewed friendly relations between the Sioux and American citizens that existed before the war. The Sioux chiefs confirmed all previous land cessions made by their tribes to European colonial governments now within U.S. territory. The tribes placed themselves under U.S. protection and no other nation. Overall, through peace and confirmation of past land transfers, the treaty aimed to restore positive U.S.-Sioux relations after the War of 1812.

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Treaty with the Osage, 1825

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:00:23 +0000

This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and the Great and Little Osage tribes, who ceded a large amount of land across Missouri, Arkansas, and beyond. The treaty established reservations of land for the Osage tribes’ use and annuity payments owed to them by the U.S. It also arranged for livestock, tools, and services to aid the Osages’ farming and settlement on their reserved lands. The parties aimed to settle all standing claims between the Osages and Delawares, U.S. traders, and American citizens through additional U.S. payments. Overall, through ceded lands and prescribed U.S. payments and provisions, the treaty aimed to promote the Osages’ protection and gradual agricultural settlement.

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Treaty with the Winnebago, 1816

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:50:01 +0000

This treaty was signed at St. Louis between the U.S. and a group of Winnebago chiefs and warriors living separately on the Wisconsin River. It renewed friendly relations between them and forgave past hostilities, while confirming all previous Winnebago land cessions to the U.S. The chiefs placed their group under U.S. protection only and promised to remain distinct from the rest of the Winnebago tribe. The parties also agreed to exchange any prisoners captured on both sides. Overall, the treaty aimed to secure peace and alliance with this breakaway band of Winnebagos, primarily to prevent further frontier violence.

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Treaty with the Sauk, 1815

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:39:37 +0000

This treaty was signed at Portage des Sioux between the U.S. and Sac tribal leaders who had split off from their main tribes during the War of 1812. They assented to a prior 1804 treaty and promised to remain separate from the hostile Sacs of Rock River. The U.S. in turn recognized their friendly distinction and promised to soon grant them an equitable share of annuities. Overall, the treaty aimed to reward and encourage the loyalty of these break-off Sacs in order to ally with the U.S.

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Treaty with the Quapaw, 1818

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:36:47 +0000

This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and Quapaw leaders, who ceded large amounts of land in present-day Arkansas while reserving a tract for their nation. The U.S. promised annual payments of goods for the cession while allowing Quapaws hunting rights until further assignment. The treaty provided for U.S. infrastructure through the territory and aimed to prevent violence by obligating both parties to turn over criminal offenders for trial and punishment. Overall, besides legitimizing U.S. control over the territory, a main purpose was establishing formal procedures for dispute resolution and criminal justice regarding inter-tribal and Indian-American issues.

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Treaty with the Potawatomi, 1815

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:32:10 +0000

This treaty was signed at Portage des Sioux between the U.S. and Poutawatomie leaders to re-establish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It mutually forgave past hostilities while renewing amity between American citizens and the tribe. The parties agreed to exchange all prisoners captured during the recent war. The Poutawatomies also reaffirmed all previous treaties made with the U.S. Overall, the treaty aimed to fully restore positive diplomatic ties with the tribe following tribal involvement against the U.S. in the War of 1812 conflict.

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Treaty with the Osage, 1815

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:28:43 +0000

The Treaty with the Osage of 1815 was ratified on December 26, 1815 between the United States government and the Great and Little Osage tribes. Its main purpose was to re-establish peace and friendship after hostilities during the war. The treaty recognized, re-established, and confirmed all previous treaties and agreements made between the U.S. and the Osage. It declared that past injuries and hostility by either party would be forgiven and forgotten. The treaty was signed at Portage des Sioux by U.S. commissioners and Osage chiefs and warriors to ensure perpetual peace and friendship.

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Treaty with the Grand Pawnee, 1818

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:15:36 +0000

The Treaty with the Pawnee of 1818 was signed on June 18, 1818 between the United States and the Grand Pawnee tribe. Its main purpose was to establish perpetual peace and friendship between the U.S. and the Pawnee tribe. The Pawnee chiefs placed their tribe under the protection of the United States and no other sovereign power. They agreed to deliver up any individuals who violated the treaty’s terms to be punished under U.S. law. The treaty served to formally align the Pawnee tribe with the United States after the War of 1812.

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