Clatsop Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Lewis: May 28, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:26 +0000

Wednesday May 28th 1806. We sent Goodrich to the village of the broken arm
this morning he returned in the evening with some roots bread and a parsel
of goats-hair for making our saddle pads. Reubin and Joseph Feilds set out
this morning to hunt high up on a creek which discharges itself into this
river about 8 miles above us. at Noon Charbono, York and Lapage returned;
they had obtained four bags of the dryed roots of Cows and some bread. in
the evening Collins Shannon and Colter returned with eight deer. they had
fortunately discovered a ford on Collins’s Creek where they were enabled
to pass it with their horses and had hunted at the quawmash ground where
we first met with the Chopunnish last fall. deer were very abundant they
informed us, but there were not many bear. The sick Cheif was much better
this morning he can use his hands and arms and seems much pleased with the
prospect of recovering, he says he feels much better than he has for a
great number of months. I sincerely wish these sweats may restore him; we
have consented that he should still remain with us and repeat these
sweats. he set up a great proportion of the day.The Child is also
better, he is free of fever, the imposthume is not so large but seems to
be advancing to maturity.- since my arrival here I have killed several
birds of the corvus genus of a kind found only in the rocky mountains and
their neighbourhood. I first met with this bird above the three forks of
the Missouri and saw them on the hights of the rocky Mountains but never
before had an opportunity of examining them closely. the small corvus
discribed at Fort Clatsop is a different speceis, tho untill now I had
taken it to be the same, this is much larger and has a loud squawling note
something like the mewing of a cat. the beak of this bird is 11/2 inches
long, is proportionably large, black and of the form which characterizes
this genus. the upper exceeds the under chap a little. the head and neck
are also proportionably large. the eye full and reather prominent, the
iris dark brown and puple black. it is about the size and somewhat the
form of the Jaybird tho reather rounder or more full in the body. the tail
is four and a half inches in length, composed of 12 feathers nearly of the
same length. the head neck and body of this bird are of a dove colour. the
wings are black except the extremities of six large fathers ocupying the
middle joint of the wing which are white. the under disk of the wing is
not of the shining or grossy black which marks it’s upper surface. the two
feathers in the center of the tail are black as are the two adjacent
feathers for half their width the ballance are of a pure white. the feet
and legs are black and imbricated with wide scales. the nails are black
and remarkably long and sharp, also much curved. it has four toes on each
foot of which one is in the rear and three in front. the toes are long
particularly that in the rear. this bird feeds on the seed of the pine and
also on insects. it resides in the rocky mountains at all seasons of the
year, and in many parts is the only bird to be found.our hunters
brought us a large hooting Owl which differs considerably from those of
the Atlantic States which are also common here. the plumage of this owl is
an uniform mixture of dark yellowish brown and white, in which the dark
brown predominates. it’s colour may be properly termed a dark iron grey.
the plumage is very long and remarkably silky and soft. these have not the
long feathers on the head which give it the appearance of ears or horns.
the leathers of the head are long narrow and closely set, they rise
upwright nearly to the extremity and then are bent back sudonly as iff
curled. a kind of ruff of these feathers incircle the thoat. the head has
a flat appearance being broadest before and behind and is 1 foot 10 Is. in
circumference. incircling the eyes and extending from them like rays from
the center a tissue of open hairy long feathers are placed of a light grey
colour, these conceal the ears which are very large and are placed close
to the eyes behind and extending below them. these feathers meet over the
beak which they nearly conceal and form the face of the owl. they eyes are
remarkably large and prominant, the iris of a pale goald colour and iris
circular and of a deep sea green. the beak is short and wide at it’s base.
the upper chap is much curved at the extremity and comes down over and in
front of the under chap. this bird is about the size of the largest
hooting Owl. the tail is composed of eleven feathers, of which those in
the center are reather the longest. it is booted to the extremity of the
toes, of which it has four on each foot, one in the rear one on the outer
side and two in front. the toes are short particularly that in rear, but
are all armed with long keen curved nails of a dark brown colour. the beak
is white and nostrils circular large and unconnected. the habits and the
note of this owl is much that of the common large hooting owl.

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Clark: May 29, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:26 +0000

Thursday 29th of May 1806 No movement of the party to day worthy of
notice. we have once more a good Stock of Meat and roots. Bratten is
recovering his Strength very fast. the Child, and the Indian Cheaf are
also on the recovery. the Chief has much more use of his hands and arms.
he washed his face himself today. Which he has not been able to do
previously for more than twelve months past. I would have repeeted the
Sweat to day had it not been Cloudy and frequently raining.-. Sence my
arrival here I have killed Several birds of the Corvus genus of a kind
found only in the rocky mountains and their neighbourhood. I first met
with bird on Jeffersons River. and Saw them on the hights of the rocky
mountains. but never before had an oppertunity of examineing them Closely.
the Small Corvus discribed at Fort Clatsop is a different Species, tho
untill now I had taken it to be the Same, this is much larger and has a
loud squaling note something like the newing of a Cat. the beak of this
bird is 11/2 inches long, is proportionably large, black and of the form
which characterize this genus. the upper exeeds the under Chap a little.
the head and neck are also propotionably large, the eyes full and reather
prominant, the iris dark brown and purple black. it is about the Size and
Some what the form of the jay bird, tho reather rounder and more full in
the body. the tail is four and a half inches in length, composed of 12
feathers nearly of the Same length. the head, neck and body of this bird
is of a dove Colour. the wings are black except the extremities of Six
large feathers occupying the middle joint of the wings which are White.
the under disk of the wings are not of the shineing or glossy black which
mark it’s upper Surface. the two feathers in the Center of the tail are
black as are the two adjacent feathers for half their wedth, the ballance
are of a pure White. the feet and legs are black, and imbricated with wide
Scales, the nails are black and remarkably long and Sharp, also much
Curved, it has four toes on each foot of which one is in the rear and 3 in
front. the toes are long particular that in the rear. this bird feeds on
the Seeds of the pine and also on insects. it resides in the rocky
Mountains at all Seasons of the year, and in many parts is the only bird
to be found. a Species of Lizzard Called by the French engages, Prarie
buffaloe are nativs of these plains as well as those of the Missouri. I
have Called them the horned Lizzard. they are about the Size and a good
deel the figure of the Common black lizzard. but their bellies are
broader, the tail Shorter and their action much Slower; they Crawl much
like the toad. they are of a brown Colour with yellowish and yellowish
brown Spots. it is covered with minute scales intermixed with little
horney like blunt prickkles on the upper Surface of the body. the belly
and throat is more like the frog and are of a light yellowish brown
Colour. around the edge of the belly is regularly Set with little horney
prejections which give to those edges a Serrate figure, the eye is Small
and of a dark colour. above and behind the eyes there are Several
Projections of the bone which being armed at their extremities with a firm
black Substance has the appearance of horns Sprouting out from the head.
this part has induced me to distinguish it by the appellation of the
Horned Lizard. I cannot conceive how the engagees ever assimilated this
animal withe Buffalow for there is not grater anology than between the
Horse and the frog. this Animal is found in greatest numbers in the Sandy
open parts of the Plains, and appear in great abundance after a rain; they
are Sometimes found basking in the Sunshine but conceal themselves in
little holes under the tufts of grass or herbs much the greater proportion
of their time. they are noumerous about the Falls of Missouri, and in the
plains through which we passed lately above the Falls of Columbia

The Choke Cherry has been in blume Since the 20th inst. it is a Simple
branching ascending Stem. the Cortex Smooth and of a dark brown with a
redish Cast. the leaf is scattered petiolate oval accute at it’s apex
finely Serated Smooth and of an ordinary green, from 21/2 to 3 inches in
length and from 11/4 to 2 in width. the Peduncles cilindric and Common
from 4 to 5 inches in length and are inserted promiscuisly on the twigs of
the proceeding years growth. on the lower portion of the Common peduncle
are frequently from 3 to 4 Small leaves, being the same in form as those
last discribed. other peduncles 1/4 of an inch in length are Scattered and
thickly inserted on all sides of the Common peduncle at right-angles with
it, each elivateing a Single flower, which has five obtuse Short patent
white petals with Short claws incerted on the upper edge of the calyx. the
Calyx is a perianth including both Stemes & germ, one leafed five
cleft entire, Semi globular. the Stamons are upwards of twenty and are
Seated on the Margin of the flower Cup or what I have Called the perianth.
the filaments are unequal in length Subulate inflected and Superior
membranous. the anthers are equal in number with the filaments, they are
very Short oblong and flat, naked and Situated at the extremity of the
filaments. is of a yellowish colour asis also the pollen. one pistillum.
the germin is ovate, Smooth, Superior, sessile, very Small; the Style is
very Short, Simple, erect, on the top of the germen deciduous. the Stigma
is Simple, flat very Short. This Shrub rises to the hight of from 6 to 8
feet generally but Sometimes rich Situations much higher. it is not
confined to any particular Situation Capt. L-s met with a singular plant
in blume of which we preserved a Specimene. it grows on the Steep fertile
hill Sides near this place the radix is fibrous, not much branched,
annual, woody, white and nearly Smooth. the Stem is Simple branching
ascending 21/2 feet high. Celindric, villose and of a pale red Colour. the
branches are but fiew and those near it’s upper extremity. the extremities
of the branches are flexable and are bent down near their extremities with
the weight of the flowers. the leaf is sessile, scattered thinly, nearly
lineor tho Somewhat widest in the middle, two inches in length, absolutely
entire, villose, obtusely pointed and of an Ordinary green. above each
leaf a Small Short branch protrudes, Supporting a tissue of four or five
Small leaves of the Same appearance of those discribed. a leaf is placed
under neath each branch and each flower. the Calyx is one flowered Spatha.
the corolla Superior, consists of four pale perple petals which are
tripartite, the Centeral lobe largest and all terminate obtusely; they are
inserted with a long and narrow claw on the top of the germ, are long,
Smooth and deciduous. there are two distinct Sets of Stamens the first or
principal Consists of four, the filaments which are capillary, erect,
inserted on the top of the germ alternately with the petals, equal short,
membranus; the anthers are also four each being elivated with it’s
fillaments; they are reather flat, erect sessile, cohering to the base,
membranous, longitudinally furrowed, twise as long as the fillament naked,
and of a pale purple colour, the Second Set of Stamens are very minute,
are also four and placed within and opposit to the petals, those are
Scercely precptable while the first are large & Conspicious, the
fillaments are capillary equal, very Short white and Smooth. the anthers
are four, oblong, beaked, erect Cohering at the base, membanous, Shorter
than the fillaments, White naked and appear not to form pollen, there is
one pistillum; the germ of which is also one, celindric, villous,
inferior, Sessile, as long as the first Stamuns, and grooved. the Single
Style and Stigma form a perfect mono petallous corolla only with this
difference that the Style which elivates the Stigma or limb is not a tube
but solid tho it’s outer appearance is that of a tube of a Monopetallous
corolla swelling as it ascends and gliding in such manner into the limb
that it Cannot be Said where the Style ends or the Stigma begins, jointly
they are as long as the Gorilla, while the limb is four cleft, Sauser
Shaped, and the margin of the lobes entire and rounded. this has the
appearance of a monopetallous flower growing from the Center of the four
petalled corollar which is rendered more conspicuous in consequence of the
first being white and the latter of a pale purple. I regret very much that
the Seed of this plant are not ripe as yet and it is probable will not be
so dureing our residence in this neighbourhood-. our Horses maney of them
have become So wild that we Cannot take them without the assistance of the
indians who are extreemly dextrous in throwing a Rope and takeing them
with a noose about the neck; as we frequently want the use of our horses
when we cannot get the use of the indians to take them, we had a Strong
pound formed to day in order to take them at pleasure-

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Lewis: May 21, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:22 +0000

Wednesday May 21st 1806. It rained a few hours this morning. Sheilds and
Gibson set out to hunt towards the mountains. Collins came to camp at noon
and remained about 2 hours; he has killed nothing since he left us last.
we set five men at work to make a canoe for the purpose of fishing and
passing the river. the Indians have already promised us a horse for this
canoe when we have no longer any uce for her. as our tent was not
sufficient to shelter us from the rain we had a lodge constructed of
willow poles and grass in the form of the orning of a waggon closed at one
end. this we had made sufficiently large to sleep in and to shelter the
most important part of our baggage. it is perfectly secure against the
rain sun and wind and affords us much the most comfortable shelter we have
had since we left Fort Clatsop. today we divided the remnant of our store
of merchandize among our party with a view that each should purchase
therewith a parsel of roots and bread from the natives as his stores for
the rocky mountains for there seems but little probability that we shall
be enabled to make any dryed meat for that purpose and we cannot as yet
form any just idea what resource the fish will furnish us. each man’s
stock in trade amounts to no more than one awl, one Kniting pin, a half an
ounce of vermillion, two nedles, a few scanes of thead and about a yard of
ribbon; a slender stock indeed with which to lay in a store of provision
for that dreary wilderness. we would make the men collect these roots
themselves but there are several speceis of hemlock which are so much like
the cows that it is difficult to discriminate them from the cows and we
are affraid that they might poison themselves. the indians have given us
another horse to kill for provision which we keep as a reserved store. our
dependence for subsistence is on our guns, the fish we may perhaps take,
the roots we can purchase from the natives and as the last alternative our
horses. we eat the last morsel of meat which we had for dinner this
evening, yet nobody seems much conserned about the state of provision.
Willard, Sergt. Ordway and Goodrich were permitted to visit the village
today; the former returned in the evening with some roots and bread, the
two last remaining all night. one of our party brought in a young sandhill
crain it was about the size of a pateridge and of a redish brown colour,
it appeared to be about 5 or six days old; these crains are abundant in
this neighbourhood.

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Lewis: April 8, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:06 +0000

Tuesday April 8th 1806. The wind blew so violently this morning that we
were obliged to unlode our perogues and canoes, soon after which they
filled with water. being compelled to remain during the day at our present
station we sent out some hunters in order to add something to our stock of
provision; and exposed our dryed meat to the sun and the smoke of small
fires. in the evening the hunters returned having killed a duck only; they
saw two bear and some of the blacktailed jumping or fallow deer, such as
are found about Fort Clatsop; this kind of deer are scarce in this
neighbourhood, the common longtailed fallow deer being most abundant. we
have seen the black bear only in this quarter. the wind continued without
intermission to blow violently all day. I took a walk today of three miles
down the river; in the course of which I had an opportunity to correct an
errow which I have heretofore made with rispect to the shrub I have
hithertoo called the large leafed thorn. the leaf of this thorn is small
being only abut 21/2 inches long, is petiolate, conjugate; the leafets are
petiolate accutely pointed, having their margins cut with unequal angular
insissures. the shrub which I have heretofore confounded with this grows
in similar situations, has a stem precisely like it except the thorn and
bears a large three loabed leaf. this bryer is of the class Polyandria and
order Polygynia. the flowers are single, the peduncle long and celindric.
the calix is a perianth, of one leaf, five cleft, & accutely pointed.
the perianth is proper, erect, inferior with rispect to both petals and
germen, and equal. the corolla consists of five accute pale scarlet
petals, insirted in the recepticle with a short and narrow claw. the
Corolla is smooth, moderately long, situated at the base of the germen,
permanent, and cup shaped. of the stamens the filaments are subulate,
inserted into the recepticle, unequal and bent inwards concealing the
pistillum; anther two loabed and inflected situated on the top of the
fillaments of the pistillum the germ is conical, imbricated, superior,
sessile and short. the styles are short with rispect to the stamen,
capillary smooth, obtuse, distributed over the serface of the germ and
decid-uous. no perseptable stigma.late at night the centinel
detected an old indian man in attempting to creep into camp in order to
pilfer; he allarmed the indian very much by presenting his gun at him; he
gave the fellow a few stripes with a switch and sent him off. this fellow
is one of a party of six who layed incamped a few hundred yards below us,
they departed soon after this occurrence.

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Lewis: April 6, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:05 +0000

Sunday April 6th 1806. This morning we had the dryed meat secured in skins
and the canoes loaded; we took breakfast and departed at 9 A.M. we
continued up the N. side of the river nearly to the place at which we had
encamped on the 3rd of Nov. when we passed the river to the south side in
quest of the hunters we had sent up yesterday and the day before. from the
appearance of a rock near which we had encamped on the 3rd of November
last I could judge better of the rise of the water than I could at any
point below. I think the flood of this spring has been about 12 feet
higher than it was at that time; the river is here about 11/2 miles wide;
it’s general width from the beacon rock which may be esteemed the head of
tide water, to the marshey islands is from one to 2 miles tho in many
places it is still wider. it is only in the fall of the year when the
river is low that the tides are persceptable as high as the beacon rock.
this remarkable rock which stands on the North shore of the river is
unconnected with the hills and rises to the hight of seven hundred feet;
it has some pine or reather fir timber on it’s nothern side, the southern
is a precipice of it’s whole hight. it rises to a very sharp point and is
visible for 20 miles below on the river. at the distance of ten miles from
our encampment we met with our hunters in the upper end of the bottom to
which we had directed them on the South side of the river. they had killed
three Elk this morning and wounded two others so badly that they expected
to get them. we therefore determined to encamp for the evening at this
place in order to dry the meat, in surch of which we sent a party
immediately and employed others in preparing scaffoalds and collecting
firewood &c against their return. we found some indians with our
hunters when we arrived; these people are constantly hanging about us.As
has been before mentioned Capt C set out with a party of seven men on 2ed
inst. in surch of the entrance of the Multnomah river. he departed at 1/2
after 11 A. M and directed his course along the Southern side of the
river. at the distance of 8 miles he passed the village of the
Na-cha-co-lee tribe of the E-lute Nation; this village is not large and
being situated on the main shore opposite to and S. of the Diamond Island
it was concealed by that island from our view both ascending and decending
the Columbia as we passed near the Northern shore. Capt C. passed this
village without halting and continued his rout untill 3 P.M. when he
arrived at a large double house of the Ne-er-cho-ki-oo tribe of the
Shah’ha-la nation; at this place we had seen 24 additional straw and bark
huts as we passed down last fall, the inhabitants of which as I have
before mentioned reside at the great rapids of the Columbia river. about
this place in different directions Capt C. saw a great number of small
canoes lying scattered on the bank. these small canoes are employed by the
women in collecting wappetoe; with one of these a woman enters a pond
where the Sagitaria Sagittifolia grows frequently to her breast in water
and by means of her toes and feet breakes the bulb of this plant loos from
the parent radicle and disincumbering it from the mud it immediately rises
to the surface of the water when she seizes it and throws it into her
canoe which she always keeps convenient to her. they will remain in the
water for hours together in surch of this bulb in middle of winter. those
canoes are from 10 to 14 feet in length, from 18 to 23 inches in width
near the middle tapering or becoming narrower towards either extremity and
9 inches deep their form is thus. they are so light that a woman can draw
them over land or take them with ease through the swamps in any direction,
and are sufficient to carry a single person and several bushells of roots.
Capt. Clarks pilot informed him that the small canoes which he saw in the
vicinity of this lodge were the property of the Shah-ha-las who used them
occasionally when they visit this neighbourhood for the purpose of
collecting roots. while at this place Capt C. entered one of the
appartments of the house and offered several articles to the natives in
exchange for wappetoe, they appeared to be in an ill humour and positively
refused to let him have any. Capt. C. sat himself down near the fire and
having a part of a portfire match in his pocket cut of a small peice of it
and threw it in the fire; at the same time he took out his pocket compass
and by means of a magnet which he had in the top of his inkstand he turned
the nedle of the compass about very briskly; the match took fire and
birned vehemently; the indians astonished and allarmed at these
exhibitions, ran and brought several parcels of wappetoe and laid at his
feet and begged that he would put out the bad fire; to this he consented;
at this moment the match being exhausted was of course extenguished and he
put up his compass & magnet. they were now much more complisant, tho
the women and children were yet so much allarmed that they took refuge in
their beads and behing the men who were seting opposite to Capt. C. during
the whole of this farcical seen an old man who was seting by continued to
speak with great vehemence apparently imploring his god for protection.
Capt. C. gave them an adiquate compensation for their roots and having
lighted his pipe smoaked with the men. they appeared in a great measure to
get the better of their allarm and he left them and continued his rout
along the south side of Image canoe Island which he found to be three
islands, the one in the center concealing the apperture between the two
others in such manner that from the north side of the river where we have
previously passed they all appeared to form one island only. at the
distance of 13 miles below the village just mentioned, and at the lower
point of what we have heretofore deemed the image canoe Island, Capt C.
entered the Multnomah river so called by the natives from a nation of that
name who reside on wappetoe island a little below the entrance of this
river? Multnomah river discharges itself on the S. side of the Columbia
140 miles above the entrance of the latter into the Pacific Ocean, and may
be justly esteemed one fourth of that noble river. Capt. C. found that
this river had attained it’s greatest annual hight and had now fallen
about 18 inches. it has three small islands in it’s mouth which conceal
the river from the view of those who pass with the stream of the Columbia.
from the Columbia at the entrance of the Multonomah river Mount Jefferson
bears S. E. this is a noble mountain. I think equally as high as Mount St.
Helines but it’s distance being much greater than that of the latter, so
great a portion of it dose not appear above the range of mountains which
lie betwen boath those stupendious mountains and this point of view. like
mount St. Heleans it’s figure is a regular cone and is covered with
eternal snow. M. St. Heleans from the same point boar N ____, Mount Hood
due East, and Mount Raniei nearly North. there is also a very high humped
mountain a little to the East of Mount St. Heleans which appears to lie in
the same chain with those conic pointed mountains before mentioned. soon
after Capt Clark entered the Multnomah river he was met by an old Indian
man alone in a canoe decending the river, the pilot had some conversation
with him and informed Capt. C. that this was a man of the Clark-a’-mas
nation who are numerous and inhabit eleven vilages on either side of a
river of the same name which has it’s source in Mount Jefferson and after
tranversing a woody and fertile country discharges itself into the
Multnomah river on it’s E. side at the distance of about 40 miles from
it’s junction with the Columbia. the Clarkamas river is navigable for
canoes a great distance, from the Indian account almost to the foot of
mount, Jefferson. the nation who inhabit it’s borders live principally on
fish with which this stream abounds and also on roots which they procure
on it’s borders. they sometimes also come down to the Multnomah and
Columbia in surch of Wappatoe. they do not differ essentially in their
language dress &c from the Quathlahpohtles and others in the vicinity
of wappetoe island. The current of the Multnomah river is as gentle as
that of the Columbia, glides smoothly with an even surface, and appears to
possess sufficient debth for the largest ship. Capt. C. attempted to sound
it with a cord of 5 fathoms which was the longest in his possession but
could not find bottom at this debth for at least one third of the width of
the river. Capt. C. ascended this river ten miles to a large wood house on
the East side of the river, near which he encamped for the evening; the
house being infested with such swarms of flees that they could not remain
in it. this his guide informed him was the house of the Cush-hooks nation
who reside just below the falls of the Multnomah river and who
occasionally reside at this place for the purpose of collecting wappetoe.
at present this house appeared to have been lately abandoned by the
natives who had left therein exposed to every visiter various articles
such as small canoes, mats, bladders of train oil, baskets, bowls and
trenchers. this is a strong evidence of the honesty of the natives with
rispect to the property of each other, but they have given us several
evidences that they do not pay the same rispect to the property of white
men. his guide further informed him that there were a number of small
houses belonging to the last mentioned nation situated on two bayous which
make out of the river a little above this large hose on the East side;
that the inhabitants of these as well as those of the large house had gone
up to the falls of the Multnomah river for the purpose of taking fish.
these falls are situated at the distance of 2 days travel from the
junction of the Multnomah and Columbia rivers agreeably to the Indian
account which we have estimated at 60 miles or 20 m. above the entrance of
Clarkamus river. Capt C. took the dementions of the hose of the
Ne-mal-quin-ner tribe of the Cushhooks nation near which he encamped on
the 2ed inst. and found it presisely thirty feet by 40 squar constructed
with broad boards and covered with the bark of the white cedar or
arborvita; the floor is on a level with the surface of the earth and the
internal arrangement is similar to those of the natives of the Sea coast.these
people carry on a trafic with the Killamucks of the coast across the
mountains and by way of the Killamucks river from the Killamucks they
obtain their train oil. The courses and distances taken by Capt. Clark in
ascending the Multnomah river from it’s junction with the Columbia river,
commencing at the lower extremity of the Image canoe Islands are as
follows. (viz) S. 30° W. 4 m. to the upper point of a small island in the
center of Multnomah river. thence S 10° W. 3 m. to a sluce 80 yds. wide on
Stard. which dividing wappetoe Island from the main land discharges itself
into wappetoe inlet passed a willow point on Lard. S. 60° W. 3 ms. to a
large indian house on the Lard. side, just below some high fir land the
shore is bold and high on Stard. side. S 30° E. 2 ms. to the center of a
bend under The highlands on Stard. side, passing a Lard. point; from hence
the river directed it’s course to the E. of S. E. as far as Capt. C. could
perceive it.at this place the Multnomah river is 500 yds. wide and
sufficiently deep to admit the largest ship. the river appears to be
washing away it’s banks in some places, and has more sandbars and willow
points than the Columbia.On the morning of the 3rd inst. Capt. Clark
observed that the water had fallen in the course of the night about 5
inches. he set out early and proceeded up the river a short distance few
miles and attempted a second time to fathom it but with the same success
as before he could nt find bottom with his cord of 5 fathoms for the
distance of half the width of the stream. Capt C. having fully satisfyed
himself of the magnitude of this great river he set out on his return at 7
A.M. I have but little doubt but that this river waters a vast tract of
country lying between the Western mountains and the mountainous country of
the sea coast extending as far south as the waters of the gulph of
Callifornia or about Latitude 37° North. at 11 A.M. Capt. C. arrived at
the Ne-er-cho-ki-oo house where he had allarmed the inhabtants yesterday.
he halted here a few minutes to smoke with these people who consisted of
eight families. he found that his presents excited fresh allarm
particularly among the women and children who hid themselves and took
refuge behind the men as yesterday; the men held down their heads and
seemed much conserned; he therefore remained in the house but a few
minutes, returned to his canoe and pursued his rout. his pilot now
informed him that these people as well as their relations at the falls of
the Columbia were illy disposed bad men. soon after he set out he met five
canoes on board of which there were as many families of the Shah-ha-la
nation decending the river in surch of subsistence. they were extreemly
anxious to come along side, but he forbid their doing so as their number
was too considerable there being 21 men on board these canoes. his pilot
told him that they were mischevous bad men. at 3 P.M. he arrived at the
present residence of his pilot on the South side of the river opposite the
Diamond Island. here he halted about an hour he found this house very
large; it consisted of seven appartments in one range above ground each
about 30 feet square. the entrances to these appartments were from
passages which extended quite across the house, about 4 feet wide and
formed like the walls of the hose of broad boards set on end extending
from beneath the floor to the roof of the house. the apperture or hole
through which they enter all those wooden houses are remarkably small not
generally more than 3 feet high and about 22 inches wide. the ground plot
of the Nechecolee house is thus 1 1 1 1 the passages of 4 feet and 2 2
&c. the appartments of 30 feet square. this house is covered with the
bark of the white cedar, laid on in a double course, supported by rafters
and longitudinal round poles attatched to the rafters with cores of this
bark. the peices of the cedar bark extend the whole length of the side of
the roof and jut over at the eve about 18 inches. at the distance of 18
inches transverse splinters of dry fir is inserted through the cedar bark
in order to keep it smooth and prevent it’s edges from colapsing by the
heat of the sun; in this manner the natives make a very secure light and
lasting roof of this bark. in the vicinity of this house Capt. Clark
observed the remains of five other large houses which appeared to have
been sunk in the ground several feet and built after the method of those
of the Elutes nation at the great narrows of the columbia with whom these
people claim affinity. their language is the same with the Elutes, tho in
their habits, dress manners &c they differ but little from the
Quathlahpohtles and others in this neighborhood. they make use of some
words common to their neighbours but the air of their language is entirely
different. they are much better formed and their men larger than the
nations below. their women wear larger and longer robes which are made
principally of deerskins dressed in the hair. they pay great rispect to
their aged persons. Capt. C. observed several persons of both sexes who
appeared to have arrived to great age yet they appeared perfectly healthy
tho most of them perfectly blind. the loss of sight I have observed to be
more common among all the nations inhabiting this river than among any
people I ever observed. they have almost invariably soar eyes at all
stages of life. the loss of an eye is very common among them; blindness in
perdsons of middle age is by no means uncommon, and it is almost
invariably a concommitant of old age. I know not to what cause to
attribute this prevalent deficientcy of the eyes except it be their
exposure to the reflection of the sun on the water to which they are
constantly exposed in the occupation of fishing. Capt. C. enquired of the
Nechecole the cause of the decline of their village. an old man who
appeared to be of some note among them and the father of his guide brought
forward a woman who was much marked with the small pox, and made signs
that the inhabitants of those houses which he saw in ruins had all died
with the disorder which marked the face of the woman and with which this
woman was very near dying when a girl. from the apparent age of the woman
Capt. C. supposed that it was about 28 or 30 years since this disorder had
prevailed among these people. this is about the time which we have
supposed that it prevailed among the Clatsops and others of the coast.
Capt C. now prevailed on this old man to give him a sketch of the
Multnomah river it’s branches and the position and names of the Indian
nations residing thereon this the old man son executed with his finger in
the dust. (see scetch inserted on the 3rd inst.). he informed that the
Cush-hooks and Char-cow-ah nations who reside at the falls of that river
were not numerous; but that the Cal-lah-po-e-wah nation who inhabited both
sides of this river above the falls as far as it was known to himself or
his nation were very numerous. that the country they inhabited was level
and wholy destitute of timber. that a high range of mountains passed the
Multnomah river at the falls, on the upperside of which the country was
one vast plain. the nations who inhabit this country reside on the rivers
and subsist like those of the Columbia on fish and roots principally. Capt
C. bought five dogs of these people and set out for my camp at 5 P.M.
where he arrived a little before dark, on the evening of the third.the
party whom we sent for the flesh of the Elk which Shannon had killed
returned in the evening with that of four, one had by some mistake been
omitted. Drewyer and shannon found the two wounded Elk and had killed
them. we set all hands at work to prepare the meat for the saffoald they
continued their operations untill late at night. we directed Shannon to go
out early in the morning with a party to bring in the Elk which had been
left last evening in mistake. we also directed Drewyer and the two
Feildses to ascend the river early in the morning to a small bottom a few
miles above and hunt untill our arrival.-

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Clark: April 3, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:03 +0000

Thursday April 3rd 1806 The water had fallen in the course of last night
five inches. I Set out and proceeded up a Short distance and attempted a
Second time to fathom the river with my cord of 5 fathom but could find no
bottom. the mist was So thick that I could See but a Short distance up
this river. where I left it, it was binding to the East of S. E. being
perfectly Sati’fyed of the Size and magnitude of this great river which
must Water that vast tract of Country betwen the Western range of
mountains and those on the Sea coast and as far S. as the Waters of
Callifornia about Latd. 37° North I deturmined to return. at 7 oClock A.M.
Set out on my return. the men exirted themselves and we arived at the Ne
er cho ki oo house in which the nativs were So illy disposed yesterday at
11 A.M. I entered the house with a view to Smoke with those people who
Consisted of about 8 families, finding my presence alarmed them So much
that the children hid themselves, womin got behind their men, and the men
hung their heads, I detained but a fiew minits and returnd on board the
canoe. My pilot who Continued in the Canoe informed me on my return that
those people as well as their relations were very illy disposed and bad
people. I proceeded on along the South Side met five canoes of the
Shah-ha-la Nation from the Great rapids with their wives and Children
decending the Columbia into this fertile Vally in pursute of provi-sions.
my Pilot informed me in a low voice that those people were not good, and I
did not Suffer them to come along Side of my Canoe which they appeared
anxious to do. their numbers in those canoes who appeard anxious to come
along Side was 21 men and 3 boys. at 3 P M. we arived at the residence of
our Pilot which consists of one long house with Seven appartments or rooms
in Square form about 30 feet each room opening into a passage which is
quit through the house those passages are about 4 feet in width and formed
of Wide boads Set on end in the ground and reaching to the Ruff which
Serves also as divisions to the rooms. The ground plot is in this form 1 1
1 1 is the passages. 2 2 &c. is the apartments about 30 feet square.
this house is built of bark of the White Cedar Supported on long Stiff
poles resting on the ends of broad boads which form the rooms &c. back
of this house I observe the wreck of 5 houses remaining of a very large
Village, the houses of which had been built in the form of those we first
Saw at the long narrows of the E-lute Nation with whome those people are
connected. I indeavored to obtain from those people of the Situation of
their nation, if scattered or what had become of the nativs who must have
peopled this great town. an old man who appeared of Some note among them
and father to my guide brought foward a woman who was badly marked with
the Small Pox and made Signs that they all died with the disorder which
marked her face, and which She was verry near dieing with when a Girl.
from the age of this woman this Distructive disorder I judge must have
been about 28 or 30 years past, and about the time the Clatsops inform us
that this disorder raged in their towns and distroyed their nation. Those
people Speak a different language from those below tho in their dress
habits and manners &c. they differ but little from the
Quathlahpohtles. theire women ware the truss as those do of all the
nations risideing from the quathlahpohtle to the enterance of Lewis’s
river and on the Columbia above for Some distance. those people have Some
words the Same with those below but the air of their language is entirely
different, their men are Stouter and much better made, and their womin
ware larger & longer robes than those do below; those are most
commonly made of Deer Skins dressed with the hair on them. they pay great
attention to their aged Severall men and women whom I observed in this
village had arived at a great age, and appeared to be helthy tho blind. I
provailed on an old man to draw me a Sketch of the Multnomar River ang
give me the names of the nations resideing on it which he readily done,
See draft on the other Side and gave me the names Of 4 nations who reside
on this river two of them very noumerous. The first is Clark a-mus nation
reside on a Small river which takes its rise in Mount Jefferson and falls
into the Moltnomar about 40 miles up. this nation is noumerous and inhabit
11 Towns. the 2d is the Cush-hooks who reside on the N E. Side below the
falls, the 3rd is the Char-cowah who reside above the Falls on the S W.
Side neether of those two are noumerous. The fourth Nation is the
Cal-lar-po-e-wah which is very noumerous & inhabit the Country on each
Side of the Multnomar from its falls as far up as the knowledge of those
people extend. they inform me also that a high mountain passes the
Multnomar at the falls, and above the Country is an open plain of great
extent.

I purchased 5 dogs of those people for the use of their Oil in the Plains,
and at 4 P M left the Village and proceeded on to Camp where I joind Capt.
Lewis

The enterance of Multnomah river is 142 miles up the Columbia river from
its enterance into the Pacific Ocean-. in my absence and Soon after I left
camp Several Canoes of men women and Children came to the camp. and at one
time there was about 37 of those people in Camp Capt Lewis fired his Air
gun which astonished them in Such a manner that they were orderly and kept
at a proper distance dureing the time they Continued with himas
maney as 10 Canoes arrived at Camp in the Course of this day. they all
Seem to give the Same account of the Scercity of Provisions above. one
family Continued all night and behaved themselves in a very orderly
manner.

on the 3rd Joseph Field returned from the woods and informed the Drewyer
Rubin & himself had killed four Elk. Capt L. Sent Sergt. Pryor and two
men with Joseph Field to dry the flesh of the Elk in the woods on
Scaffolds with fire. the party bilow quick Sand river did not return to
day. The Indians continue to vist our Camp in Considerable number from
above with their families. these pore people appeared half Starved. they
picked up the bones and little refuse meat which had been thrown away by
the party. Capt L had the flesh of the 4 Elk which was killed on the 1st
inst. driedSome of the men of the nativs who visited Capt Lewis
wore a girdle, with a Small Skin in front and a Cap of the Skin of the
deers head &c.

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Clark: March 29, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:59 +0000

Saturday March 29th 1806 we Set out very early this morning and proceeded
to the head of deer island and took brackfast. the morning was very cold
wind Sharp and keen off the rainge of Mountains to the East Covered with
snow. the river is now riseing very fast and retards our progress very
much as we are compelled to keep out at Some distance in the Curent to
clear the bushes, and fallin trees and drift logs makeing out from the
Shore. dureing the time we were at Brackfast a Canoe with three Indians of
the Clan-nar-min-na-mon Nation came down, one of those men was dressed in
a Salors jacket & hat & the other two had a blanket each, those
people differ but little either in their dress manners & Language from
the Clatsops & Chinnooks they reside on Wappato Inlet which is on the
S W. side about 12 miles above our encampment of the last night and is
about 2 miles from the lower point, four other Tribes also reside on the
inlet and Since which passes on the South W. Side of the Island, the first
tribe from the lower point is the Clannarminamon, on the Island, the
Clackster Nation on the main S. W. Shore. the next Cath-lah-cum-up,
Clhh-in-na-ta, Cath-lah-nah-qui-ah and at Some distance further up is a
tribe called Cath-lah-com-mah-up Those tribes all occupie Single Villages.
we proceeded on to the lower point of the Said island accompanied by the 3
Indians, & were met by 2 canoes of nativs of the quath-lah-pah-tal who
informed us that the chanel to the N E of the Island was the proper one.
we prosued their advice and Crossed into the mouth of the
Chahwah-na-hi-ooks River which is about 200 yards wide and a great portion
of water into the columbia at this time it being high. The indians inform
us that this river is crouded with rapids after Some distance up it.
Several tribes of the Hul-lu-et-tell Nation reside on this river. at 3
oClock P.M. we arived at the Quath lah pah tie Village of 14 Houses on
main Shore to the N E. Side of a large island. those people in their
habits manners Customs and language differ but little from those of the
Clatsops and others below. here we exchanged our deer Skins killed
yesterday for dogs, and purchased others to the Number of 12 for
provisions for the party, as the deer flesh is too poore for the Men to
Subsist on and work as hard as is necessary. I also purchased a Sea Otter
robe. we purchased wappatoe and Some pashaquar roots. gave a Medal of the
Small Size to the principal Chief, and at 5 oClock reembarked and
proceeded up on the N E. of an Island to an inlet about 1 mile above the
village and encamped on a butifull grassy plat, where the nativs make a
portage of their Canoes and Wappato roots to and from a large pond at a
Short dis-tance. in this pond the nativs inform us they Collect great
quantities of pappato, which the womin collect by getting into the water,
Sometimes to their necks holding by a Small canoe and with their feet
loosen the wappato or bulb of the root from the bottom from the Fibers,
and it imedeately rises to the top of the water, they Collect & throw
them into the Canoe, those deep roots are the largest and best roots.
Great numbers of the whistling Swan, Gees and Ducks in the Ponds. Soon
after we landed 3 of the nativs came up with Wappato to Sell a part of
which we purchased. they Continued but a Short time. our men are recoverey
fast. Willard quit well & Bratten much Stronger. we made 15 miles to
day only.

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Lewis: March 30, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:59 +0000

Sunday March 30th 1806. We got under way very early in the morning, and
had not reached the head of the island before we were met by three men of
the Clan-nah-minna-mun nation one of whom we recognized being the same who
had accompanied us yesterday, and who was very pressing in his entreaties
that we should visit his nation on the inlet S. W. of Wappetoe island. at
the distance of about 2 M. or at the head of the quathlahpahtle island we
met a party of the Claxtars and Cathlahcumups in two canoes; soon after we
were met by several canoes of the different nations who reside on each
side of the river near this place. Wappetoe Island is about 20 miles long
and from 5 to 10 in width; the land is high and extreemly fertile and
intersected in many parts with ponds which produce great quantities of the
sagittaria Sagittifolia, the bulb of which the natives call wappetoe.
there is a heavy growth of Cottonwood, ash, the large leafed ash and sweet
willow on most parts of this island. the black alder common on the coast
has now disappeared. we passed several fishing camps on wappetoe island
and at the distance of 5 miles above quathlahpotle Island on the N. E.
side we halted for breakfast near the place we had encamped on the evening
of the 4th of November last; here we were visited by several canoes which
came off from two towns situated a little distance above us on wappetoe
Island. the 1st of these tribes about 2 miles above us call themselves
Clan-nah-quah, the other about a mile above them call themselves
Mult-no-mah. from these visiters we purchased a sturgeon and some wappetoe
and pashequa, for which we gave some small fishinghooks. these like the
natives below are great higglers in dealing. at 10 A.M. we set out and had
not proceeded far before we came to a landing place of the natives where
there were several large canoes drawn out on shore and several natives
seting in a canoe apparently waiting our arrival; they joined the fleet
and continued with us some miles. we halted a few minutes at this landing
and the Indians pointed to a village which was situated abut 2 miles from
the river behid a pond lying parallel with it on the N. E. side nearly
opposite to the Clan-nah-quah town. here they informed us that the
Sho-toes resided. here we were joined by several other canoes of natives
from the Island. most of these people accompanyed us untill 4 in the
evening when they all returned; their principal object I beive was merely
to indulge their curiossity in looking at us. they appeared very friendly,
tho most had taken the precaution to bring with them their warlike
implements. we continued our rout along the N. E. shore of the river to
the place we had halted to dine on the 4th of Novembr opposite to the
center of Immage canoe island where the Indians stole Capt. Clarks
tomahawk. here we encamped a little before sunset in a beautifull prarie
above a large pond having traveled 23 M. I took a walk of a few miles
through the prarie and an open grove of oak timber which borders the
prarie on the back part. I saw 4 deer in the course of my walk and much
appearance of both Elk and deer. Joseph feields who was also out a little
above me saw several Elk and deer but killed none of them; they are very
shye and the annual furn which is now dry and abundant in the bottoms
makes so much nois in passing through it that it is extreemly difficult to
get within reach of the game. Fends killed and brought with him a duck.
about 10 P.M. an indian alone in a small canoe arrived at our camp, he had
some conversation with the centinel and soon departed. The natives who
inhabit this valley are larger and reather better made than those of the
coast. like those people they are fond of cold, hot, & vapor baths of
which they make frequent uce both in sickness and in health and at all
seasons of the year. they have also a very singular custom among them of
baithing themselves allover with urine every morning. The timber and
apearance of the country is much as before discribed. the up lands are
covered almost entirely with a heavy growth of fir of several speceis like
those discribed in the neighbourhood of Fort Clatsop; the white cedar is
also found hereof large size; no white pine nor pine of any other kind. we
had a view of mount St. helines and Mount Hood. the 1st is the most noble
looking object of it’s kind in nature. it’s figure is a regular cone. both
these mountains are perfectly covered with snow; at least the parts of
them which are visible. the highlands in this valley are rolling tho by no
means too steep for cultivation they are generally fertile of a dark rich
loam and tolerably free of stones. this valley is terminated on it’s lower
side by the mountanous country which borders the coast, and above by the
rainge of mountains which pass the Columbia between the great falls and
rapids of the Columbia river. it is about 70 miles wide on a direct line
and it’s length I beleive to be very extensive tho how far I cannot
determine. this valley would be copetent to the mantainance of 40 or 50
thousand souls if properly cultivated and is indeed the only desireable
situation for a settlement which I have seen on the West side of the Rocky
mountains.

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Clark: March 27, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:58 +0000

Thursday March 27th 1806. a rainey disagreeable night rained the greater
part of the night we Set out this morning verry early and proceeded on to
two houses of the Skil-lute Indians on the South Side here we found our
hunters who had Seperated from us last evening. the wind rose and the rain
became very hard Soon after we landed here we were very friendly receved
by the natives who gave all our party as much fish as they Could eate,
they also gave us Wappato and pashaquaw roots to eate prepared in their
own way. also a Species of Small white tuberous roots about 2 inches in
length and as thick as a mans finger, these are eaten raw, or crips,
milkey and agreeably flavoured; the nativs insisted on our remaining all
day with them and hunt the Elk and deer which they informed us was very
abundant in this neighbourhood. but as the weather would not permit our
drying our Canoes in order to pitch them, we declined their friendly
invertation, and resumed our voyage at 12 oClock. The principal village of
the Skil-lutes is Situated on the lower Side of the Cow-e-lis kee river a
fiew miles from it’s enterance into the Columbia. those people are Said to
be noumerous, in their dress, habits, manners and Language they differ but
little from the Clatsops, Chinnooks &c. they have latterly been at war
with the Chinnooks, but peace is Said to be now restored between them, but
their inter Course is not yet restored. no Chinnook Come above the
Warkiacums, nor do the Skillutes visit the Mouth of the Columbia. The
Clatsops, Cath lahmahs & War kia coms are the Carriers between those
nations being in alliance with both-. The Cow e lis kee river is 150 yards
wide, is deep and from Indian information navigable a very considerable
distance for canoes. it discharges itself into the Columbia about 3 miles
above a remarkable knob which is high and rocky and Situated on the North
Side of the Columbia, and Seperated from the Northern hills of the river
by a Wide bottom of Several Miles, to which it united. I Suspect that this
river Waters the Country lying west of a range of Mountains which passes
the Columbia between the Great falls and rapids, and North of the Same
nearly to the low country which Commences on the N W. Coast about Latitude
4° ____ North. above the Skil lutes on this river another nation by the
name of the Hul-loo-et-tell reside who are Said also to be numerous. at
the distance of 2 miles above the village at which we brackfast we passed
the enterance of this river; we Saw Several fishing camps of the Skillutes
on both Sides of the Columbia, and also on both Sides of this river. we
were attended all the evening by parties of the nativs in their Canoes who
visited us for the purpose of tradeing their fish and roots; we purchased
as maney as we wished on very moderate terms; they Seamed perfectly
Satisfied with the exchange and behaved themselves in a very orderly
manner. late in the evening we passed the place we Camped the 5th of Novr.
and Encamped about 4 miles above at the Commencement of the Columbian
Vally on the Stard. Side below Deer Island. we had Scercily landed before
we were visited by a large Canoe with 8 men; from them we obtained a dried
fruit which resembled the raspberry and which I beleave is the fruit of
the large leafed thorn frequently mentioned. it is reather ascide tho
pleasently flavored. Saw Cotton wood, Sweet Willow, white oake, ash and
the broad leafed ash the Growth which resembles the bark &c. these
form the groth of the bottom lands, whilst the Hills are almost
exclusively Covered with the various Species of fir heretofore discribed.
the black alder appears on Maney parts of the hills Sides as on the
bottoms. before we Set out from the 2 houses where we brackfast we Sent on
two Canoes with the best hunters, with orders to pro ceed as fast as they
Could to Deer island and there to hunt and wait our arrival. we wish to
halt at that place and repare 2 of our Canoes if possible. the Indians
that visited us this evining remained but a Short time, they passed over
to an Island and encamped. the night as well as the day proved Cold wet
and excessively disagreeable. we Came 20 miles in the Course of this day.

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Lewis: March 27, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:36:58 +0000

Thursday March 27th 1806. We set out early this morning and were shortly
after joined by some of the Skillutes who came along side in a small canoe
for the purpose of trading roots and fish. at 10 A.M. we arrived at two
houses of this nation on the Stard. side where we halted for breakfast.
here we overtook our hunters, they had killed nothing. the natives
appeared extreemly hospitable, gave us dryed Anchovies, Sturgeon,
wappetoe, quamash, and a speceis of small white tuberous roots about 2
inches in length and as thick as a man’s finger; these are eaten raw, are
crisp, milkey, and agreeably flavored. most of the party were served by
the natives with as much as they could eat; they insisted on our remaining
all day with them and hunting the Elk and deer which they informed us were
very abundant in their neighbourhood. but as the weather would not permit
us to dry our canoes in order to pitch them we declined their friendly
invitation, and resumed our voyage at 12 OCk. the principal village of
these Skillutes reside on the lower side of the Cow-e-lis’-kee river a few
miles from it’s entrance into the columbia. these people are said to be
numer-ous. in their dress, habits, manners and language they differ but
little from the Clatsops Chinnooks &c. they have latterly been at war
with Chinnooks but peace is said now to be restored between them, but
their intercourse is not yet resumed. no Chinnooks come above the marshey
islands nor do the Skillutes visit the mouth of the Columbia. the
Clatsops, Cathlahmahs and Wackkiacums are the carriers between these
nations being in alliance with both.The Coweliskee is 150 yards
wide, is deep and from indian Information navigable a very considerable
distance for canoes. it discharges itself into the Columbia about three
miles above a remarkable high rocky vole which is situated on the N. side
of the river by which it is washed on the South side and is seperated from
the Nothern hills of the river by a wide bottom of several miles to which
it is united. I suspect that this river waters the country lying West of
the range of mountains which pass the columbia between the great falls and
rapids, and north of the same nearly to the low country which commences on
the N. W. coast about Latitude ____ North. above the Skillutes on this
river another nation by the name of the Hul-loo-et-tell reside, who are
said also to be numerous. at the distance Of 2 m. above the village at
which we breakfasted we passed the entrance of this river; we saw several
fishing camps of the Skillutes on both sides of the Columbia, and were
attended all the evening by parties of the natives in their canoes who
visited us for the purpose of trading their fish and roots; we purchased
as many as we wished on very moderate terms; they seemed perfectly
satisfyed with the exchange and behaved themselves in a very orderly
manner. late in the evening we passed our camp of the 5th of November and
encamped about 41/2 above at the commencement of the bottom land on stard.
below Deer Island. we had scarcely landed before we were visited by a
large canoe with eight men; from them we obtained a dryed fruit which
resembled the raspburry and which I beeive to be the fruit of the large
leafed thorn frequently mentioned. it is reather ascid tho pleasently
flavored. I preserved a specemine of this fruit I fear that it has been
baked in the process of drying and if so the seed will not vegitate. saw
the Cottonwood, sweet willow, oak, ash and the broad leafed ash, the
growth which resembles the beach &c. these form the growth of the
bottom lands while the hills are covered almost exclusively with the
various speceis of fir heretofore discribed. the black Alder appears as
well on some parts of the hills as the bottoms. before we set out from the
Skillute village we sent on Gibson’s canoe and Drewyers with orders to
proceed as fast as they could to Deer island and there to hunt and wait
our arrival. we wish to halt at that place to repair our canoes if
possible. the indians who visited us this evening remained but a short
time, they passed the river to the oposite side and encamped. the night as
well as the day proved cold wet and excessively disagreeable. we came 20
miles today.

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