Lewis returns to Fort Mandan with two Hidatsa chiefs, and the captains learn that the Mandans have been telling lies to the Hidatsas. Seven Canada-based traders arrive at the Knife River Villages including Charles McKenzie and François-Antoine Larocque.
In Philadelphia, Constantine Rafinesque—an eccentric botanist—asks President Jefferson why no trained botanist was sent with the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Pehriska-Ruhpa
Karl Bodmer (1809–1893)
Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library.[1]“Pehriska-Ruhpa, ein Mönnitarri-Indianer. Pehriska-Ruhpa, Indien-Moennitarre ou gros Ventre.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed 12 August 2019. … Continue reading
Hidatsa Fears
The Menitares, (or Big bellies) [Hidatsas] were allarmed at the tales told them by the Mandans Viz: that we intended to join the Seaux [Sioux] to Cut off them in the Course of the winter, many Circumstances Combind to give force to those reports i’ e’ the movements of the interpeters & their families to the Fort, the strength of our work &. &.
—William Clark
La France’s Deceptions
Seven Traders arrived from the fort on the Ossinaboin from the N W Companey one of which Lafrances took upon himself to speak unfavourably of our intentions &. the princpal Mr. La Rock [Larocque], (& Mr. McKensey [McKenzie]) was informed of the Conduct of their interpeter & the Consiquinces if they did not put a Stop to unfavourable & ill founded assursions &c. &.
—William Clark
Musical Diplomacy
The two Chiefs much pleased with their treatments & the Cherefullness of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c. &c.
—William ClarkRivet danced on his head &C
—John Ordway
Rafinesque Volunteers
Also on this day, eccentric natural scientist Constantine Rafinesque writes to President Thomas Jefferson asking why the Lewis and Clark Expedition did not include a trained botanist. He offers his services for future expeditions.
Philada. 27th 9ber 1804
Sir
. . . . .
The Western parts of the U.S. are as yet very little known, I intend to go and explore part of Kentucky & Ohio next Spring: I wish I could go Still farther and across the Mississipi into the unexplored region of Louisiana, but it is a mere impossibility in my private Capacity to visit such unsettled and as yet very wild Country; I wonder the American Governt. have not sent some Botanist there along with Mess Lewis & Hunter; a Country containing perhaps a great number of the Valuable Vegetables of Mexico is worth and deserves highly to be fully explored; If it ever seems worthwhile to you, to send a Botanist in Company with the parties you propose to make visit the Akansas or other Rivers, I can not forbear Mentioning that I would think myself highly honored with the choice of in being selected to make known the Vegete. and Animal riches of such a New Country and would think that Glory fully adequate to compensate the dangers and difficulties to encounter—
I remain respectfully Sir Yr. most Obedt Servt
C. S. Rafinesque[2]Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-45-02-0096 accessed 6 November 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 45, 11 November 1804 to 8 … Continue reading
Weather Diary
Ther. at rise
Weather Wind at Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. River 10 fair S E 19 cloudy S E fall 3 ft. much drift ice running in the river— returned to (camp) the fort in company with two chiefs and a warrior
—Meriwether Lewis[3]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.
Fort Mandan is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation manages a modern reconstruction and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located at US Hwy 83 and ND Hwy 200A.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. A unit of the National Park System, the site is located at 564 County Road 37, one-half mile north of Stanton, North Dakota. It has exhibits, trails, and a visitor center.
Notes
| ↑1 | “Pehriska-Ruhpa, ein Mönnitarri-Indianer. Pehriska-Ruhpa, Indien-Moennitarre ou gros Ventre.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed 12 August 2019. digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-c442-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-45-02-0096 accessed 6 November 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 45, 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805, ed. James P. McClure et al. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2021, pp. 94–95.] |
| ↑3 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations. |
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).