Yankton Sioux Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Lewis and Clark and the Sioux: Diplomacy on the Missouri

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:27:40 +0000

Fritz examines the expedition’s diplomatic interactions with the Sioux (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota) nations along the Missouri River, focusing on the political objectives that shaped these encounters and the cultural misunderstandings that complicated them. The article traces the expedition’s meetings from the relatively cordial council with the Yankton Sioux in August 1804 through the dangerous confrontation with the Teton Sioux (Lakota) near the mouth of the Bad River in September 1804. Fritz analyzes the Teton Sioux strategy of controlling Missouri River commerce through a system of tolls and trade dominance, and how Lewis and Clark’s mission to break this control created an inherent conflict. The article evaluates the captains’ diplomatic performance, arguing that their rigid insistence on American sovereignty and their failure to understand Sioux political structure contributed to the crisis. Fritz places the expedition’s Sioux encounters in the broader context of U.S.-Sioux relations that would dominate Plains history for the next century.

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Clark: September 14, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:59 +0000

Sunday 14th Sept. 1806 Set out early and proceeded on very well. this
being the part of the Missouri the Kanzas nation resort to at this Season
of the year for the purpose of robbing the perogues passing up to other
nations above, we have every reason to expect to meet with them, and
agreeably to their Common Custom of examining every thing in the perogues
and takeing what they want out of them, it is probable they may wish to
take those liberties with us, which we are deturmined not to allow of and
for the Smallest insult we Shall fire on them. at 2 P.M. a little below
the lower of the old Kanzas Village we met three large boats bound to the
Yanktons and Mahars the property of Mr. Lacroy, Mr. Aiten & Mr. Coutau
all from St. Louis, those young men received us with great friendship and
pressed on us Some whisky for our men, Bisquet, Pork and Onions, &
part of their Stores, we continued near 2 hours with those boats, makeing
every enquirey into the state of our friends and Country &c. those men
were much affraid of meeting with the Kanzas. we Saw 37 Deer on the banks
and in the river to Day 5 of which we killed those deer were Meager. we
proceeded on to an Island near the middle of the river below our
encampment of the 1st of July 1804 and encamped haveing decended only 53
miles to day. our party received a dram and Sung Songs untill 11 oClock at
night in the greatest harmoney.

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Clark: September 12, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:58 +0000

Friday 12th of September 1806 a thick fog a litile before day which blew
off at day light. a heavy Dew this morning. we Set out at Sunrise the
usial hour and proceeded on very well about 7 miles met 2 perogues from
St. Louis one contained the property of Mr. Choteau bound to the panias on
River Platt, the other going up trapping as high as the Mahars. here we
met one of the french men who had accompanied us as high as the Mandans he
informed us that Mr. McClellen was a fiew miles below the wind blew a head
Soon after we pased those perogues, we Saw a man on Shore who informed us
that he was one of Mr. McClellens party and that he was a Short distance
below, we took this man on board and proceeded on and Met Mr. McClellin at
the St. Michl. Prarie we came too here we found Mr. Jo. Gravelin the
Ricaras enterpreter whome we had Sent down with a Ricaras Chief in the
Spring of 1805 and old Mr. Durion the Sieux enterpreter, we examined the
instructions of those interpreters and found that Gravelin was ordered to
the Ricaras with a Speach from the president of the U. States to that
nation and some presents which had been given the Ricara Cheif who had
visited the U. States and unfortunately died at the City of Washington, he
was instructed to teach the Ricaras agriculture & make every enquirey
after Capt Lewis my self and the party Mr. Durion was enstructed to
accompany Gravelin and through his influence pass him with his presents
& by the tetons bands of Sieux, and to provale on Some of the
Principal chiefs of those bands not exceeding six to Visit the Seat of the
Government next Spring he was also enstructed to make every enquirey after
us. we made Some Small addition to his instructions by extending the
number of Chiefs to 10 or 12 or 3 from each band including the Yanktons
&c. Mr. McClellin receved us very politely, and gave us all the news
and occurrences which had taken place in the Illinois within his knowledge
the evening proveing to be wet and Cloudy we Concluded to continue all
night, we despatched the two Canoes a head to hunt with 5 hunters in them

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Clark: September 2, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:57 +0000

Tuesday 2nd of September 1806 Set out at the usial hour passed the River
Jacque at 8 A.M. in the first bottom below on the N E. Side I observed the
remains of a house which had been built since we passed up, this most
probably was McClellins tradeing house with the Yanktons in the Winter of
1804 & 5 the wind was hard a head & continued to increas which
obliged us to lay by nearly all day. as our Store of meat, I took with me
8 men and prosued a Small Gang of Cows in the plains 3 miles and killed
two which was in very good order, had them butchered and each man took a
load as much as he Could Carry and returned to the Canoes, the wind Still
high and water rough we did not Set out untill near Sun Set we proceded to
a Sand bar a Short distance below the place we had Come too on account of
the wind and Encamped on a Sand bar, the woods being the harbor of the
Musquetors and the party without the means of Screaning themselves from
those tormenting insects. on the Sand bars the wind which generaly blows
moderately at night blows off those pests and we Sleep Soundly. The wind
Continued to blow hard from the Same point S. E untill 3 P. M I saw in my
walk to day Lynn and Slipery Elm. the plains are tolerably leavel on each
Side and very fertile. I saw 4 prarie fowls Common to the Illinois, those
are the highest up which have been Seen, white Oak is very Common also
white ash on the riveens and high bottoms. two turkys killed to day of
which the Indians very much admired being the first which they ever Saw.
Capt L. is mending fastwe made only 22 Miles to day.

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Clark: September 6, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:57 +0000

Saturday 6th of September 1806 The Musquetors excessively troublesom we
Set out early at the great Cut off Saw a herd of Elk, we landed and Sent
out Several hunters to kill Some of the Elk, they returnd. without killing
any as the Elk was wild and ran off much fritened. I Sent the two Small
Canoes on a head with derections to hunt in two bottoms below, and after a
delay of half an hour proceeded on wind-hard a head at the lower point 7
of Pelecan Island a little above the Petite River de Seeoux we met a
tradeing boat of Mr. Ag. Choteaux of St Louis bound to the River Jacque to
trade with the Yanktons, this boat was in Care of a Mr. Henry Delorn, he
had exposed all his loading and Sent out five of his hands to hunt they
Soon arived with an Elk. we purchased a gallon of whiskey of this man and
gave to each man of the party a dram which is the first Spiritious licquor
which had been tasted by any of them Since the 4 of July 1805. Several of
the party exchanged leather for linen Shirts and beaver for Corse hats.
Those men Could inform us nothing more than that all the troops had movd.
from the Illinois and that Genl. Wilkinson was prepareing to leave St.
Louis. We advised this trader to treat the Tetons with as much Contempt as
possible and Stated to him where he would be benefited by such treatment
&c &c. and at 1 P. M Set out those men gave us 2 Shots from a
Swivell they had on the bow of their boat which we returned in our turn.
proceeded on about 3 miles and Came up with two of the hunters, they had
not killd. any thing. at 5 miles we over took the Canoe of the other
hunters with Shannon in it floating down, the two fields being in the
woods behind we Came too on a Sand bar on the N. E. Side and delayed all
the after part of the day for the two Fields, Sent out 3 men to hunt in
the bottom up the river and observe if they Saw any Sign of the hunters.
the evening proved Cloudy and the wind blew hard two pelicans were killed
to day. we came 30 Miles only to day the 2 fieldses did not join us I
think they are below. The Chief & the Squaws & children are awarey
of their journey. Children cry &c.

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Clark: August 30, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:56 +0000

Saturday 30th of August 1806 Capt. Lewis is mending Slowly. we set out at
the usial hour and proceeded on very well a fiew miles Jo Field who was on
the Shore being behind I derected one of the Small Canoes with R. Fields
& Shannon to continue on the point of a Sand bar untill he corns up. I
took 3 hunters and walked on the N E Shore with a view to kill Some fat
meet. we had not proceeded far before Saw a large plumb orchd of the most
deelicious plumbs, out of this orchard 2 large Buck Elks ran the hunters
killed them. I Stoped the Canoes and brought in the flesh which was fat
and fine. here the party Collected as many plumbs as they could eate and
Several pecks of which they put by &c. after a delay of nearly 2 hours
we again proceeded on downwards passed 3 Small Islands and as we were
about to land at the place appointed to wait for the 2 fields and Shannon,
I saw Several men on horseback which with the help of a Spie glass I found
to be Indians on the high hills to the N E we landed on the S. W. Side and
I sent out two men to a village of Barking Squirels to kill Some of those
animals imedeatily after landing about 20 indians was discovered on an
eminanc a little above us on the opposite Side. one of those men I took to
be a freinch man from his a blanket Capoe & a handkerchief around his
head. imediately after 80 or 90 Indian men all armed with fusees &
Bows & arrows Came out of a wood on the opposite bank about 1/4 of a
mile below us. they fired of their guns as a Salute we returned the Salute
with 2 rounds. we were at a loss to deturmin of what nation those indians
were. from their hostile appearance we were apprehensive they were Tetons.
but from the Country through which they roved we were willing to believe
them eithe the Yanktons, Ponars or Mahars either of which nations are well
disposed towards the white people. I deturmined to find out who they were
without running any resque of the party and indians, and therefore took
three french men who could Speak the Mahar Pania and some Seioux and in a
Small canoe I went over to a Sand bar which extended Sufficently near the
opposite Shore to Converse. imedeately after I Set out 3 young men Set out
from the opposite Side and Swam next me on the Sand bar. I derected the
men to Speak to them in the Pania and mahar Languages first neither of
which they could understand I then derected the man who could Speak a fiew
words of Seioux to inquire what nation or tribe they belong to they
informed me that they were Tetons and their Chief was Tar-tack-kah-sabbar
or the black buffalow This Chief I knew very well to be the one we had
seen with his band at Teton river which band had attempted to detain us in
the fall of 1804 as we assended this river and with whome we wer near
comeing to blows. I told those Indians that they had been deef to our
councils and ill treated us as we assended this river two years past, that
they had abused all the whites who had visited them since. I believed them
to be bad people & Should not Suffer them to cross to the Side on
which the party lay, and directed them to return with their band to their
Camp, that if any of them come near our camp we Should kill them
certainly. I lef them on the bear and returned to th party and examined
the arms &c. those indians seeing Some Corn in the Canoe requested
Some of it which I refused being deturmined to have nothing to do with
those people. Several others Swam across one of which understood pania,
and as our pania interpreter was a very good one we had it in our power to
inform what we wished. I told this man to inform his nation that we had
not forgot their treatment to us as we passed up this river &c. that
they had treated all the white people who had visited them very badly;
robed them of their goods, and had wounded one man whome I had Seen. we
viewed them as bad people and no more traders would be Suffered to come to
them, and whenever the white people wished to visit the nations above they
would Come Sufficiently Strong to whip any vilenous party who dare to
oppose them and words to the Same purpote. I also told them that I was
informed that a part of all their bands were gorn to war against the
Mandans &c, and that they would be well whiped as the Mandans &
Menetarres & had a plenty of Guns Powder and ball, and we had given
them a Cannon to defend themselves. and derected them to return from the
Sand bar and inform their Chiefs what we had Said to them, and to keep
away from the river or we Should kill every one of them &c. &c.
those fellows requested to be allowed to Come across and make Cumerads
which we positively refused and I directed them to return imediately which
they did and after they had informed the Chiefs &c. as I Suppose what
we had Said to them, they all Set out on their return to their Camps back
of a high hill. 7 of them halted on the top of the hill and blackguarded
us, told us to come across and they would kill us all &c. of which we
took no notice. we all this time were extreamly anxious for the arival of
the 2 fields & Shannon whome we had left behind, and were Some what
consd. as to their Safty. to our great joy those men hove in Sight at 6
P.M. Jo. Fields had killed 3 black tail or mule deer. we then Set out, as
I wished to See what those Indians on the hill would act. we Steared
across near the opposit Shore, this notion put them Some agitation as to
our intentions, some Set out on the direction towards their Camps others
walked about on the top of the hill and one man walked down the hill to
meet us and invited us to land to which invitation I paid no kind of
attention. this man I knew to be the one who had in the fall 1804
accompaned us 2 days and is Said to be the friend to the white people.
after we passd. him he returned on the top of the hill and gave 3 Strokes
with the gun he had in his hand this I am informed is a great oath among
the indians. we proceeded on down about 6 miles and encamped on a large
Sand bar in the middle of the river about 2 miles above our encampment on
Mud Island on the 10th Septr. 1804 haveing made 22 miles only to Day. Saw
Several Indians on the hills at a distance this evening viewing us. our
encampment of this evening was a very disagreable one, bleak exposed to
the winds, and the Sand wet. I pitched on this Situation to prevent being
disturbed by those Scioux in the Course of the night as well as to avoid
the Musquetors-. Killed 9 whistleing squirels.

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Clark: September 1, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:56 +0000

Monday 1st of September 1806 Musquitors very troublesom last night, we set
out at the usial hour and had not proceeded on far before the fog became
So thick that we were oblige to come too and delay half an hour for the
fog to pass off which it did in Some measure and we again proceded on R.
Jo. Fields and Shannon landed on an Ponceras Island to try to kill Some
deer which was Seen on the beech and the Canoes all passed them at 9 A. M
we passed the enterance of River Quiequur which had the Same appearance it
had when we passed up water rapid and of a milky white Colour about two
miles below the Quicurre, 9 Indians ran down the bank and beckened to us
to land, they appeared to be a war party, and I took them to be Tetons and
paid no kind of attention to them further than an enquirey to what tribe
they belonged, they did not give me any answer, I prosume they did not
understand the man who Spoke to them as he Spoke but little of their
language. as one Canoe was yet behind we landed in an open Commanding
Situation out of Sight of the indians deturmined to delay untill they Came
up. about 15 minits after we had landed Several guns were fired by the
indians, which we expected was at the three men behind. I calld out 15 men
and ran up with a fill deturmination to Cover them if possible let the
number of the indians be what they might. Capt Lewis hobled up on the bank
and formed the remainder of the party in a Situation well calculated to
defend themselves and the Canoes &c. when I had proceeded to the point
about 250 yards I discovered the Canoe about 1 mile above & the
indians where we had left them. I then walked on the Sand beech and the
indians came down to meet me I gave them my hand and enquired of them what
they were Shooting at, they informed me that they were Shooting off their
guns at an old Keg which we had thrown out of one of the Canoes and was
floating down. those Indians informed me they were Yanktons, one of the
men with me knew one of the Indians to be the brother of young Durion’s
wife. finding those indians to be Yanktons I invited them down to the
boats to Smoke. when we arived at the Canoes they all eagerly Saluted the
Mandan Chief, and we all Set and Smoked Several pipes. I told them that we
took them to be a party of Tetons and the fireing I expected was at the
three men in the rear Canoe and I had went up with a full intention to
kill them all if they had been tetons & fired on the Canoe as we first
expected, but finding them Yanktons and good men we were glad to See them
and take them by the hand as faithfull Children who had opened their ears
to our Councils. one of them Spoke and Said that their nation had opened
their years, & done as we had directed them ever Since we gave the
Meadel to their great Chief, and Should Continue to do as we had told them
we enquired if any of their Chiefs had gone down with Mr. Durion, the
answered that their great Chief and many of their brave men had gone down,
that the white people had built a house near the Mahar village where they
traded. we tied a piec of ribon to each mans hair and gave them Some Corn
of which they appeared much pleased. The Mandan Cheif gave a par of
elegant Legins to the principal man of the indian party, which is an
indian fashion. the Canoe & 3 men haveing joined us we took our leave
of this party telling them to return to their band and listen to our
councils which we had before given to them. Their band of 80 Lodges were
on plum Creek a fiew miles to north. those nine men had five fusees and 4
bows & quivers of arrows. at 2 P.M. we came too on the upper point of
bon homme opposit the antient fortification and Sent out men to hunt on
each Side and on the island. and the canoes on each Side of the island to
receive any meat might be killed I walked on the N. E. main Shore found
the bottom rich and thickly covered with Peavine rich weed grass
interwoven in Such a manner with grape vines that I could not get through
and was obliged to assend a high plains the passing through which I also
found tiresom. the grass was nearly as high as my head and the musquitors
excessively bad. at the lower point of the Island all the Canoes &
hunters Came together. Labeech killed an Elk only the flesh of which was
brought on in the perogue. at this island we brought 2 years together or
on the 1st of Septr. 1804 we Encamped at the lower point of this Island.
after we all Came together we again proceeded on down to a large Sand bar
imediately opposit to the place were we met the Yanktons in Council at the
Calumet Bluffs and which place we left on the it of Septr. 1804. I
observed our old flag Staff or pole Standing as we left it. the musquitors
excessively troublesom untill about 10 P.M. when the S W wind became
Strong and blew the most of them off. we came 52 miles to day only with a
head wind. the Country on either Side are butifull and the plains much
richer below the Queiquer river than above that river.

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Clark: February 28, 1805

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:35:05 +0000

28th of February 1805 Thursday Mr. Gravilin 2 frenchmen and 2 Ricaras
arrived from the Ricaras with letters from Mr. Tahoe &c. informing us
of the Deturmination of the Ricaras to follow our councilsand the
threts & intintions of the Sioux in Killing us whenever they again met
usand that a party of Several bands were formeing to attacke the
Mandans &c. &c.

we informed the Mandans & others of this information & also the
wish the Ricars had to live near them & fite the Sioux &c. &c.
&c.

despatched 16 Men 5 Miles abov to build 6 Canoes for the voyage, being
Deturmend to Send back the Barge

—

28th of February Thursday 1805 a fine morning, two men of the N W Compy
arrve with letters and Sacka comah also a Root and top of a plant
presented by Mr. Haney, for the Cure of mad Dogs Snakes &c, and to be
found & used as follows vz: “this root is found on high lands and
asent of hills, the way of useing it is to Scarify the part when bitten to
chu or pound an inch or more if the root is Small, and applying it to the
bitten part renewing it twice a Day. the bitten person is not to chaw nor
Swallow any of the Root for it might have contrary effect.”

Sent out 16 men to make four Perogus those men returned in the evening and
informed that they found trees they thought would answer.

Mr. Gravelin two frenchmen & two Inds. arrive from the Ricara Nation
with Letters from Mr. Anty Tabeaux, informing us of the peaceable
dispositions of that nation towards the Mandans & Me ne to res &
their avowed intentions of pursueing our Councils & advice, they
express a wish to visit the Mandans, & Know if it will be agreeable to
them to admit the Ricaras to Settle near them and join them against their
common Enimey the Souis we mentioned this to the mandans, who observed
they had always wished to be at peace and good neighbours with the
Ricaras, and it is also the Sentiments of all the Big Bellies, & Shoe
Nations

Mr. Gravilin informs that the Sisetoons and the 3 upper bands of the
Tetons, with the Yanktons of the North intend to come to war in a Short
time against the nations in this quarter, & will Kill everry white man
they SeeMr. T. also informes that Mr. Cameron of St peters has put
arms into the hands of the Souls to revenge the death of 3 of his men
Killed by the Chipaways latterlyand that the Band of tetons which
we Saw is desposed to doe as we have advised themthro the influenc
of their Chief the Black Buffalow

Mr. Gravilin further informs that the Party which Robed us of the 2 horses
laterly were all Sieoux 100 in number, they Called at the Ricaras on their
return, the Ricares being displeased at their Conduct would not give them
any thing to eate, that being the greatest insult they could peaceably
offer them, and upbraded them.

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Clark: October 13, 1804

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:34:40 +0000

13th of October Satturday 1804 Newmon Confined for Mutinous expressions,
proceeded on passed a Camp of Sioux on the S. S. those people did not
Speak to us. passed a Creek on the S. S. 18 miles above the Ricaras I call
Stone Idol Creek, this Creek heads in a Small lake at no great distance,
near which there is a Stone to which the Indians asscribe great virtue
&. &c. at 21 Miles passed a Creek 15 yds wide on the L. S I call
Pocasse, we observed great quantites of grapes, a fine Breez from S E
Camped on the L. S. Some rain thus evening, we formed a Court Martial of 7
of our party to Try Newmon, they Senteenced him 75 Lashes and banishment
from the partyThe river narrow current jentle & wood plenty on
the Bottoms the up land is as usial Open divircified plains, generally
rich & leavel.

—

13th of October Satturday 1804 one man J. Newmon Confined for mutinous
expression Set out early proceeded on, passd. a Camp of Seauex on the S.
S. those people only viewed us & did not Speak one wordThe
visiters of last evening all except one returned which is the Brother of
the Chief we have on board passed (1) a Creek on the S. S. 13 yds. at 18
me. above the Town heading in Some Ponds a Short Diste. to the N. E we
call Stone Idol C. (well to observe here that the Yankton or R Jacque
heads at about 2 Days March of this place Easterly, the R de Seauex one
Day further, the Chien a branch of R. Rouche Still beyend, and the River
St. Peters 4 Days March from this place on the Same direction Informtn. of
the Rickores). passed 2 large willow (2) & Sand Islands above the
mouth of the last Creekat 21 miles above the Village passed a (3)
Creek about 15 yards wide on the L. S. we Call after 2d Chief Pocasse (or
Hay) nearly opposit this creek a fiew miles from the river on the S. S. 2
Stones resembling humane persons & one resembling a Dog is Situated in
the open Prarie, to those Stone the Rickores pay Great reverance make
offerings whenever they pass (Infomtn. of the Chief & Intepeter) those
people have a Curious Tredition of those Stones, one was a man in Love,
one a Girl whose parents would not let marry, the Dog went to mourn with
them all turned to Stone gradually, Commenceing at the feet. Those people
fed on grapes untill they turned, & the woman has a bunch of grapes
yet in her hand on the river near the place those are Said to be Situated,
we obsd. a greater quantity of fine grapes than I ever Saw at one place.

The river about the Island on which the lower Rickores Village is Situated
is narrow and Conts. a great propotion of Timber than below, the bottoms
on both Sides is Covered with timber the up lands naked the Current jentle
and Sand bars Confined to the points Generally

We proceeded on under a fine Breeze from the S.E. and Camped late at the
upper part of Some wood on the Starboard Side, Cold & Some rain this
evening. we Sent out hunters Killed one Deer.

We Tried the Prisoner Newmon last night by 9 of his Peers they did
“Centence him 75 Lashes & Disbanded the party.”

[Lewis and Clark, October 13, 1804]

Orders 13th of October 1804 A court Martial to Consist of nine members
will set to day at 12 oClock for the trial of John Newman now under
Confinement Capt. Clark will attend to the forms & rules of a
president without giveing his opinion

Detail for the Court Martial
Sert. John Ordaway
Sergeant Pat. Gass
Jo. Shields
H. Hall
Jo. Collins
Wm. Werner
Wm. Bratten
Jo. Shannon
Silas Goodrich
Meriwether Lewis
Capt. 1st U S. Regt. Infty.
Win Clark Capt
or E. N W D

In conformity to the above order the Court martial convened this day for
the trial of John Newman, charged with “having uttered repeated
expressions of a highly criminal and mutinous nature; the same having a
tendency not only to distroy every principle of military discipline, but
also to alienate the affections of the individuals composing this
Detachment to their officers, and disaffect them to the service for which
they have been so sacredly and solemnly engaged.”The Prisonar plead
not guilty to the charge exhibited against him. The court after having
duly considered the evidence aduced, as well as the defense of the said
prisonor, are unanimously of opinion that the prisonar John Newman is
guilty of every part of the charge exhibited against him, and do sentence
him agreeably to the rules and articles of war, to receive seventy five
lashes on his bear back, and to be henceforth discarded from the perminent
party engaged for North Western discovery; two thirds of the Court
concurring in the sum and nature of the punishment awarded. the commanding
officers approve and confirm the sentence of the court, and direct the
punishment take place tomorrow between the hours of one and two P.M.The
commanding officers further direct that John Newman in future be attatched
to the mess and crew of the red Perogue as a labouring hand on board the
same, and that he be deprived of his arms and accoutrements, and not be
permited the honor of mounting guard untill further orders; the commanding
officers further direct that in lue of the guard duty from which Newman
has been exempted by virtue of this order, that he shall be exposed to
such drudgeries as they may think proper to direct from time to time with
a view to the general relief of the detachment.-

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Clark: September 26, 1804

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:34:37 +0000

26th of Septr Set out early and proceeded onthe river lined with
indians, came too & anchored by the particular request of the Chiefs
to let their Womin & Boys See the Boat, and Suffer them to Show us
some friendshipgreat members of men womin & Children on the
bank viewing usThose people are Spritely Small legs ille looking
Set men perticularly, they grease & Black themselves when they dress,
make use of Hawks feathers about thier heads, cover with a Roab each a
polecat Skin to hold their Smokeables, fond of Dress, Badly armed. ther
women appear verry well, fine Teeth, High Cheek Dress in Skin Peticoats,
& a Roabe with the flesh Side out and harey ends turned back over
their Sholdes, and look wellthey doe all the Laborious work, and I
may say are perfect Slaves to thier husbands who frequently have Several
wives- Capt Lewis & 5 men went on Shore with the Chiefs, who appeared
to wish to become friendly they requested us to remain one night & see
them dance &c.in the evening I walked on Shore, and Saw Several
Mahar Womin & Boys in a lodge & was told they were Prisones
laterly taken in a battle in which they killed a number & took 48
prisonersI advised the Chiefs to make peace with that nation and
give up the Prisoners, if they intended to follow the words of their great
father they promised that they would do SoI was in Several Lodges
neetly formed, those lodges are about 15 to 20 feet Diametr Stretched on
Poles like a Sugar Loaf, made of Buffalow Skins Dressed about 5 oClock I
was approached by 10 well Dressed young men with a neet Buffalow Roab
which they Set down before me & requested me to get in they Carried me
to ther Council Tents forming 3/4 Circle & Set me down betwn 2 Chefs
where about 70 men were Seated in a circle, in front of the Chief 6 feet
Square was cleared & the pipe of peace raised on forks & Sticks,
under which was Swans down Scattered, the Flags of Spane & the one we
gave them yesterday was Displayed a large fire was made on which a Dog was
Cooked, & in the center about 400 wt of Buffalow meat which they gave
us,Soon after, I took my Seat the young men went to the boat &
brought Capt Lewis in the Same way & placed him by me Soon after an
old man rose & Spoke approveing what we had done. requesting us to
take pitty on them &C. answeredThey form their Camp in a circle

The great Chief then rose in great State and Spoke to the Same purpos and
with Solemnity took up the pipe of peace and pointed it to the heavens,
the 4 quartrs and the earth, he made Some divistation, & presented the
Sten to us to Smoke, after Smokeing & a Short Harrang to his people we
were requested to take the meat, and the Flesh of the Dog gavin us to eatWe
Smoked untill Dark, at which time all was cleared away & a large fire
made in the Center, Several men with Tamborens highly Decorated with Der
& Cabra Hoofs to make them rattle, assembled and began to Sing &
BeatThe women Came forward highly decerated with the Scalps &
Trofies of war of their fathes Husbands & relations, and Danced the
war Dance, which they done with great chearfulness untill 12 oClock, when
we informed the Chief we intended return on bord, (they offered us women,
which we did not except) 4 Chiefs accompanied us to the boat and Staid all
nightThose people have a Description of Men which they Call
Soldiars, those men attend to the police of the Band, Correct all vices
&. I Saw one to day whip 2 Squars who appeared to have fallen out,
when the Soldier approached all appeared give way and flee at night they
Keep 4 or 5 men at different distances walking around their Camp Singing
the acursenes of the night all in Spirits this evening wind hard from the
S E

I saw 25 Squars & Boys taken 13 days ago in a battle with the Mahars,
in which they destroyed 40 Lodges, Killed 75 men & boys, & took 48
prisones which they promised us Should be delivered to Mr. Durion now with
the Yankton _____, we gave our Mahar interpeter a few alls & &. to
give those retched Prisonis, I saw Homney of ground Potatos a Spoon of the
Big Horn animals which will hold 2 quarts.

—

26th Septr. 1804 bad hd Isd. 26th of September Wednesday 1804 Set out
early proceeded on and Came to by the wish of the Chiefs for to let their
Squars & boys See the Boat and Suffer them to treat us well great
number of men women & Children on the banks viewing us, these people
Shew great anxiety, they appear Spritely, generally ill looking & not
well made thier legs & arms Small Generallythey Grese &
Black themselves with coal when they dress, make use of a hawks feather
about their heads the men a robe & each a polecats Skins, for to hold
ther Bais roly for Smokeing fond of Dress & Show badly armed with
fuseis &. The Squaws are Chearfull fine lookg womin not handson, High
Cheeks Dressed in Skins a Peticoat and roab which foldes back over thir
Sholder, with long wool. doe all ther laborious work & I may Say
perfect Slaves to the men, as all Squars of nations much at war, or where
the womin are more noumerous than the menafter Comeing too Capt.
Lewis & 5 men went on Shore with the Chiefs, who appeared desposed to
make up & be friendly, after Captain Lewis had been on Shore about 3
hours I became uneasy for fear of Some Deception & sent a Serjeant to
See him and know his treatment which he reported was friendly, & thy
were prepareing for a Dance this evening

The made frequent Selecitiation for us to remain one night only and let
them Show their good disposition towards us, we deturmined to remain,
after the return of Capt. Lewis, I went on Shore I saw Several Maha
Prisoners and Spoke to the Chiefs it was necessary to give those prisoners
up & become good friends with the Mahars if they wished to follow the
advice of their Great father I was in Several Lodges neetly formed as
before mentioned as to the Bauruly TribeI was met by about 10 well
Dressd. yound men who took me up in a roabe Highly a decrated and Set me
Down by the Side of their Chief on a Dressed robe in a large Council House
this house formed a 3/4 Cercle of Skins well Dressed and Sown together
under this Shelter about 70 men Set forming a Circle in front of the
Chiefs a plac of 6 feet Diameter was Clear and the pipe of peace raised on
Sticks under which there was Swans down Scattered, on each Side of the
Circle two Pipes, The flags of Spain 2 & the Flag we gave them in
front of the Grand Chief a large fire was near in which provisions were
Cooking, in the Center about 400 wt. of excellent Buffalo Beif as a
present for us

Soon after they set me Down, the men went for Capt Lewis brough him in the
same way and placed him also by the Chief in a fiew minits an old man rose
& Spoke approveing what we had done & informing us of their
Situation requesting us to take pity on them &c which was answered The
Great Chief then rose with great State to the Same purpote as far as we
Could learn & then with Great Solemnity took up the pipe of peace whin
the principal Chiefs Spoke with the pipe of Peace he took in one hand Some
of the most Delicate parts of the Dog which was prepared for the feist
& made a Sacrifise to the flag& after pointing it to the
heavins the 4 quarter of the Globe & the earth,, lit it and prosist
presented the Stem to us to Smoke, after a Smoke had taken place, & a
Short Harange to his people, we were requested to take the meal put before
us the dog which they had been cooking, & Pemitigon & ground
potatoe in Several platters. Pemn is buffo meat dried or baked pounded
& mixed with grease raw Dog Sioux think great dishused on festivals.
eat little of dog pemn & pote good we Smoked for an hour Dark &
all was Cleared away a large fire made in the Center, about 10 misitions
playing on tamberins. long sticks with Deer & Goats Hoofs tied So as
to make a gingling noise and many others of a Similer kind, those men
began to Sing, & Beet on the Tamboren, the women Came foward highly
Deckerated in theire way, with the Scalps and Trofies of war of ther
father Husbands Brothers or near Connection & proceeded to Dance the
war Dance which they done with Great Chearfullness untill 12 oClock when
we informed the Cheifs that they were fatigued &c. they then retired
& we Accompd. by 4 Chiefs returned to our boat, they Stayed with us
all night. Those people have Some brave men which they make use of as
Soldiers those men attend to the police of the Village Correct all errors
I saw one of them to day whip 2 Squars who appeared to have fallen out,
when he approachd all about appeared to flee with great turrow at night
thy keep two 3 4 or 5 men at deffinit Distances walking around Camp
Singing the accurrunces of the night all the men on board 100 paces from
Shore wind from the S. E. moderate one man verry sick on board with a
Dangerass abscess on his Hip. all in Spirits this eveninge

In this Tribe I saw 25 Squars and boys taken 13 days ago in a battle with
the mahars in this battle they Destroyd 40 lodges, killed 75 men, &
Som boys & children, & took 48 Prisones Womin & boys which
they promis both Capt. Lewis and my Self Shall be Delivered up to Mr.
Durion at the Tribe, those are a retched and Dejected looking people the
Squars appear low & Corse but this is an unfavourabl time to judge of
them we gave our Mahar inteptr. Some fiew articles to give those Squats in
his name Such as alls needle &. &c.

I Saw & eat Pemitigon the Dog, Groud potatoe made into a Kind of
homney, which I thought but little inferiorI also Saw a Spoon made
of a horn of an animile of the Sheep kind the spoon will hold 2 quarts.

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