In the heat, the men apply the paddles and oars lightly letting the Missouri current do most of the work. In the morning, they question a young trader—likely Joseph Robidoux Jr.—who lacks a properly signed license. They end the day near present Waverly, Missouri 52 miles closer to home.
Joseph Robidoux IV
Photo provided by U.S. National Park Service.
The Robidoux family had several generations of traders. The captains likely met Joseph Robidioux, Jr. who was commanding a boat owned by his father. Joseph Robidoux IV would go on to establish a trading post in present-day St. Joseph, Missouri and is considered the founder of that city.[1]Moulton, 8:362n1.
Drifting In the Heat
we Set out early this morning and proceded on tolerably well the Day proved excessively worm and disagreeable, So much So that the men rowed but little
—William Clark
Joseph Robidoux, Jr.
at 11 A. M we met young Mr. Bobidoux with a large boat of six ores and 2 Canoes, the licenes of this young man was to trade with the Panias [Pawnees] Mahars [Omahas] and ottoes [Otoes] reather an extroadanary a license for [so] young a man and without the Seal of the teritory anexed, as Genl. Wilkensons [James Wilkinson] Signeture was not to this instrement we were Somewhat doubtfull of it.
—William Clark
A Warning
we made Some enquireys of this young man and Cautioned him against prosueing the Steps of his brother in attempting to degrade the American Charector in the eyes of the Indians.
—William Clark
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Photo by Duane Raver of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Large Catfish
One of our party last night caught a large catfish, supposed to weigh 100 pounds.
—Patrick Gass, recorded in his 17 September 1806 entry
Weather Diary
State of the weather at Sun rise Course of the wind at Sun rise State of the weather at 4 oClock Course of wind at 4 P. M fair S E fair S E this day very Sultry and much the hotest which we have experienced
—William Clark[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented and some abbreviations have been spelled out.
Notes
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).