18th August 1804 a fine morning, despatched Jo. Fields for the Party from the Ottoes, whom did not Come up last night Wind from the S. E. [(]* Panies 〈arived〉 returned from their hunt, the 12th of August) [1] in the after Part of the Day the Party arrived, we had a Short talk after which we gave them Provisions to eate & Proceeded to the trial of Reed, he confessed, & we Sentenced him only to run the Ganelet four times thro: the Detachment & party, and not to be considered in the future as one of the Permonant Party, after the Punihment of about [500?] Lashes, [2] at night we had Some talk with the Chiefs about the Cause of War between them and the Mahars. posponed the further consultation untill tomorrow. had a Dance which lasted untile 11 oClock, the Close of Cap Lewis Birthday. [3] a fine evening wind S. E
〈N. 5 N. 52 W. 7 | Miles to a point of highwoods on Stard. and having passed the lower point of Pellican Island ¼ of a mile, to which the last course was taken〉 |
36 | 〈Children〉 | 1 Frenchman |
45 | 〈Ottoes & Missouries〉 | 2 Great Chiefs of the Ottoes— |
45 | 〈you do Somethig〉 | 2 Second Chifs of the Missouries— |
126 | 5 Wariors, accompanied the Party |
Sent to the Towns, i e Reiubin Fields Will: Brattin G. Drewyer & W Labieche. [Ed: this was on August 7 ].
My Father, I am Sorry that the first man I brought:—
a fine morning. Wind from the S. E. in the after part of the Day the Party with the Indians arrivd. we meet them under a Shade near the Boat and after a Short talk we gave them Provisions to eat & proceeded to the trail of Reed, he Confessed that he "Deserted & Stold a public Rifle Shot-pouch Powder & Bals" and requested we would be as favourable with him as we Could consistantly with our Oathes—which we were and only Sentenced him to run the Gantlet four times through the Party & that each man with 9 Swichies Should punish him and for him not to be considered in future as one of the Party—
The three principal Chiefs petitioned for Pardin for this man
After we explained the injurey Such men could doe them by false representation, & explang. the Customs of our Countrey they were all Satisfied with the propriety of the Sentence & was witness to the punishment. [5] after which we had Some talk with the Chiefs about the orrigan of the war between them & the Mahars &c. &c.— it commenced in this way i'e' in two of the Missouries Tribe resideing with the Ottoes went to the Mahars to Steel horses, they Killed them both which was a cause of revenge on the part of the Missouris & Ottoes, they also brought war on themselves [WC: Cap L. Birth day] [6] Nearly in the Same way with the Panea Loups [Skiri Pawnees] and they are greatly in fear of a just revenge from the Panies for takeing their Corn from the Pania Towns in their absence hunting this Summer.
the evening was Closed with an extra Gill of Whiskey & a Dance untill 11 oClock.
Observed meridian altd. of ☉'s L. L. with Octant by the back observt. 63° 23' —"
Latitude deduced from this obsetn. [blank]
Observed Equal altitudes of the ☉ with Sextant
h m s | h m s | |||
A. M. | 7 38 1 | P. M. | 3 46 48 | |
" 39 28 | " 48 13 | |||
" 40 58 | " 49 42 |
Altd. by Sextant at the Time of Obstn. 60° 8' —"
Saturday 18th pleasant, G. Drewyer & the other 2 men Returned. brought with them Reed the deserter, likewise a the Big chief of the Zottaus called the Big horse, and another chief called petevaliar, of Missouri, & a Frenchman & 7 of the wariers came for the purpose of treating with the Mahas &C— [8] Reed tried & punished towards evening; the Chiefs verry Sorrey &.C— an Liberty (had been at the village) has not returned with Drewyer
Satturday augt 18th [9] ouer men Returnd and Brot with them the man and Brot with them 〈3〉 the Grand Chief of the ottoes [10] and 2 Loer ones and 6 youers of thare nathion
Saturday 18th Augt. [11] G. Drewyer & the other 2 men Returned & Brought with them M. Reed the Deserter, likewise the pettevaliar the Big chief of the Zottous & another called the Big horse, a frenchman & 7 of the warriers &c— they all came for the purpose of treating & making friends with the Mahars, &c M. Reed tried & towards evening he Recd. his punishment, the chiefs Sorry to have him punished &c. La Liberty has not returned. it is expected that he has deserted.—
Saturday August 18th We fired off our Cannon as a signal for the Indians & We remained still at same place, G. Drewyer, and two other Men who had been sent out in search of Reade who had deserted returned; having brought the deserter with them, they likewise were accompanied by Pettis 〈ahar.〉 Wallow, the big chief of the Zoto Indians, also another Indian of the same Nation called the Big horse, and a frenchman 7 Indian Warriors, and a number of Indians all of the same tribe 〈of Indians.〉 They came in Order, to holde council & have a treaty with Captain Lewis & Captain Clarke, and to make a lasting peace with them, in behalf of the United States. In the Evening M Read was tried by a Court Marshall, and sentenc'd 〈was〉 to 〈have〉 be punish'd by whipping him. The Indians were all concerned at seeing Read receive his punishment, and seemed truly sorry.— The Men that was sent after Read, could gain no Inteillgence of the frenchman called Liberty; and the commanding officers expect he has deserted.—
These persons may be identified as: Windsor, Reubin Field, Joseph Field, Newman, Gass, McNeal, and Thompson, all members of the party. Thomas M. Winn is unknown, as is "Pall." Willard, Shannon, Labiche, La Jeunesse, and Whitehouse were also members of the party.
(back)