[Clark, November 1, 1804]
 1 November 1804 Visited by Several Chiefs of the lower Village who
 requested we would call on them &c. Spoke to the Same purpote with the
 Grand Chief. we Set out in the evening & I with the Party droped down
 to the place we intended to winter & Cap Lewis called at the Village 3
 miles above &. &.
 
 
 [Clark, November 1, 1804]
 1st of November Thursday 1804
 the wind hard from the N W. Mr. McCrackin a Trader Set out at 7 oClock
 to the fort on the Ossiniboin by him Send a letter, (incloseing a Copy
 of the British Ministers protection) to the principal agent of the
 Company--at about 10 OClock the Cheifs of the Lower Village Cam and
 after a Short time informed us they wished they would us to call at
 their village & take Some Corn, that they would make peace with the
 Ricares they never made war against them but after the rees Killed
 their Chiefs they killed them like the birds, and were tired and would
 Send a Chief and Some brave men to the Ricares to Smoke with that
 people in the evening we Set out and fell down to the lower Village
 where Capt. Lewis got out and continud at the Village untill after
 night I proceeded on & landed on the S. S. at the upper point of the
 1st Timber on the Starboard Side after landing & Continuinge--all night
 droped down to a proper place to build Capt Lewis Came down after
 night, and informed me he intended to return the next morning by the
 perticular Request of the Chiefs.
 We passed the Villages on our Decent in veiw of Great numbers of the
 inhabitents
 
 
 [Clark, November 1, 1804]
 The 1st of Novr. Mandins is Village
 the Main Chief Big White & 2 others i e the Big Man or Sha-ha-ca and
 ____ Came early to talk, and Spoke as follows, after Smoking, Viz.
 Is it Certain that the ricares intend to make good with us our wish is
 to be at peace with all, we will Send a Chief with the pania Chief and
 Some young men to Smoke and make good peace-? are you going to Stay
 abov or below this Cold.--answer by C. L We are going down a few miles
 to look a place we can find no place abov proper.
 The panias know's we do not begin the war, they allway begin, we Sent a
 Chief and a pipe to the Pania to Smoke and they killed them-, we have
 killed enough of them we kill them like the birds, we do not wish to
 kill more, we will, make a good peace
 We were Sorry when we heard of your going up but now you are going
 down, we are glad, if we eat you Shall eat, if we Starve you must
 Starve also, our village is too far to bring the Corn to you, but we
 hope you will Call on us as you pass to the place you intend to Stop
 C L answered the above-
 
 
 [Lewis, November 1, 1804]
 Thursday November 1st 1804
 The wind blew so violently during the greater part of this day that we
 were unable to quit our encampment; in the evening it abated;--we
 droped down about seven miles and land on N. E. side of the river at a
 large point of Woodland.
 
 
 [Clark, November 2, 1804]
 2nd Novr. 1804 Friday--Capt Lewis returned to the Village & I fixed on
 a place for to build a fort and Set to work Cap Lewis returned in the
 eveng with 11 bushels of Corn, the Ricarre Chief Set out for his
 Village accompanied by Several mandans
 
 
 [Clark, November 2, 1804]
 2nd November Friday 1804 This morning at Day light I went down the
 river with 4 men to look for a proper place to winter proceeded down
 the river three miles & found a place well Supld. with wood, &
 returned, Capt. Lewis went to the village to here what they had to Say
 & I fell down, and formed a camp near where a Small Camp of Indian were
 huntig Cut down the Trees around our Camp, in the evening Capt. Lewis
 returned with a present of 11 bushels of Corn, our recaree Chief Set
 out acccompanied by one Chief and Several Brave men, he Called for Some
 Small article which we had given but as I could not understand him he
 Could not get. the wind from the S. E. a fine day--many Indians to day
 
 
 [Lewis, November 2, 1804]
 Friday November 2nd 1804" This morning early we fixed on the site for
 our fortification which we immediately set about.
 This place we have named Fort Mandan in honour of our Neighbours.
 
 
 [Clark, November 3, 1804]
 3rd of November Satturday 1804 wind hard from the west Commence
 building our Cabins, Dispatched 6 hunters in a perogue Down the River
 to hunt, Discharged the french hands, Mr. Jessomme his Squar & child
 moved to camp, the little Crow loaded his Squar with meat for us also a
 Roabe, we gave the Squar an ax & &. Cought 2 bever near Camp
 
 
 [Clark, November 3, 1804]
 3rd of November Satterday 1804
 a fine morning wind hard from the West we commence building our
 Cabins, Send Down in Perogue 6 men to hunt Engaged one man, Set the
 french who intend to return to build a perogue, many Indians pass to
 hunt, Mr. Jessomme with his Squar & Children. come Down to live, as
 Interpter, we recive a hors for our Sirvice, in the evening the Ka goh
 ha mi or little ravin Came & brought us on his Squar about 60 Wt. of
 Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot of Meal &. they Delayed all night-
 we gave his Squar an ax & a fiew Small articles & himself a piece of
 Tobacco, the Men were indulged with a Dram, this evening two Beaver
 Cought This morning--and one Trap Lost
 
 
 [Clark, November 4, 1804]
 4th of Novr. a french man by Name Chabonah, who Speaks the Big Belley
 language visit us, he wished to hire & informed us his 2 Squars were
 Snake Indians, we engau him to go on with us and take one of his wives
 to interpet the Snake language The Indians Horses & Dogs live in the
 Same Lodge with themselves
 
 
 [Clark, November 4, 1804]
 4th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan
 a fine morning we Continued to Cut Down trees and raise our houses, a
 Mr. Chaubonee, interpeter for the Gross Vintre nation Came to See us,
 and informed that he came Down with Several Indians from a Hunting
 expedition up the river, to here what we had told the Indians in Councl
 this man wished to hire as an interpeter, the wind rose this evining
 from the East & Clouded up--Great numbers of Indians pass hunting and
 Some on the return-
 
 
 [Clark, November 5, 1804]
 5th November Monday 1804
 I rose verry early and commenced raising the 2 range of Huts the timber
 large and heavy all to Carry on Hand Sticks, Cotton wood & Elm Som ash
 Small, our Situation Sandy, great numbers of Indians pass to and from
 hunting a Camp of Mandans, A fiew miles below us Cought within two days
 100 Goat, by Driveing them in a Strong pen, derected by a Bush fence
 widening from the pen &c. &. the Greater part of this day Cloudy, wind
 moderate from the N. W. I have the Rhumitism verry bad, Cap Lewis
 writeing all Day--we are told by our interpeter that 4 Ossiniboin
 Indians, have arrived at the Camps of the Gross Venters & 50 Lodges are
 Comeing
 
 
 [Clark, November 6, 1804]
 6th of Nov. Mr. Gravolin our Ricara Interpreter & 2 of our french hands
 & 2 boys Set out in a Canoe for the Ricaras Mr. ravellin is to
 accompany the Ricaras Chiefs to the City of Washington in the Spring,
 Great numbers of Geese pass to the South which is a certain approach of
 ice
 
 
 [Clark, November 6, 1804]
 6th November Tuesday 1804 Fort Mandan
 last night late we wer awoke by the Sergeant of the Guard to See a
 nothern light, which was light, not red, and appeared to Darken and
 Some times nearly obscered, and open, many times appeared in light
 Streeks, and at other times a great Space light & containing floating
 Collomns which appeared opposite each other & retreat leaveing the
 lighter Space at no time of the Same appearence
 This morning I rose a Day light the Clouds to the North appeared black
 at 8 oClock the wind begun to blow hard from the N W. and Cold, and
 Continud all Day Mr. Jo Gravilin our ricare interpeter Paul premor,
 Lajuness & 2 french Boys, who Came with us, Set out in a Small perogue,
 on their return to the ricaree nation & the Illinois, Mr. Gravilin has
 instructions to take on the recarees in the Spring &c.--Continue to
 build the huts, out of Cotton Timber, &c. this being the only timber we
 have.
 
 
 [Clark, November 7, 1804]
 7th November Wednesday 1804
 a termperate day we continued to building our hut, Cloudy and fogging
 all day
 
 
 [Clark, November 8, 1804]
 8th Novr. Thursday 1804
 a Cloudy morning Jussome our interpreter went to the Village, on his
 return he informed us that three English men had arrived from the
 Hudsons Bay Company, and would be here tomorrow, we Contd. to build our
 huts, many Indians Come to See us and bring their horses to Grass near
 us
 
 
 [Clark, November 9, 1804]
 9th Novr. Friday 1804 a verry hard frost this morning we Continue to
 build our Cabens, under many disadvantages, Day Cloudy wind from the N
 W. Several Indians pass with flying news, we got a White weasel, (Taile
 excepted which was black at the end) of an Indian Capt Lewis walked to
 the hill abt. 3/4 of a mile--we are Situated in a point of the Missouri
 North Side in a Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy
 Containing an imence quantity of water Brickle & Soft food for Horses
 to winter (as is Said by the Indians) The Mandans Graze their horses in
 the day on Grass, and at night give them a Stick of Cotton wood to
 eate, Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or
 round House, Covd. with earth with a fire in the middle
 great number of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high
 
 
 [Clark, November 10, 1804]
 10th November Satturday 1804
 rose early continued to build our fort numbers of Indians Came to See
 us a Chief Half Partia & brought a Side of a Buffalow, in return We
 Gave Some fiew small things to himself & wife & Son, he Crossed the
 river in the Buffalow Skin Canoo & and, the Squar took the Boat and
 proceeded on to the Town 3 miles the Day raw and Cold wind from the N
 W, the Gees Continue to pass in gangues as also brant to the South,
 Some Ducks also pass
 
 
 [Clark, November 11, 1804]
 11th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan
 a Cold Day Continued at work at the Fort Two men Cut themselves
 with an ax, The large Ducks pass to the South an Indian gave me Several
 roles of parched meal two Squars of the Rock Mountain, purchased from
 the Indians by a frenchmen Came down The Mandans out hunting the
 Buffalow
 
 
 [Clark, November 12, 1804]
 12th November Monday 1804
 a verry Cold night early this morning the Big White princapal Chief of
 the lower Village of the Mandans Came Down, he packd about 100 W. of
 fine meet on his Squar for us, we made Some Small presents to the
 Squar, & Child gave a Small ax which She was much pleased--3 men Sick
 with the ____ Several, Wind Changeable verry cold evening, freesing all
 day Some ice on the edges of the river.
 Swans passing to the South, the Hunters we Sent down the river to hunt
 has not returned
 The interpeter Says that the Mandan nation as they old men Say Came out
 of a Small lake where they had Gardins, maney years ago they lived in
 Several Villages on the Missourie low down, the Smallpox destroyed the
 greater part of the nation and reduced them to one large Village and
 Some Small ones, all nations before this maladey was affrd. of them
 after they were reduced the Sioux and other Indians waged war, and
 killed a great maney, and they moved up the Missourie, those Indians
 Still continued to wage war, and they moved Still higher, untill they
 got in the Countrey of the Panias, whith this ntn. they lived in
 friendship maney years, inhabiting the Same neighbourhood untill that
 people waged war, They moved up near the watersoons & winataree where
 they now live in peace with those nations, the mandans Specke a
 language peculial to themselves
 they can rase about 350 men, the Winatarees about 80 and the Big
 bellies about 600 or 650 men. the mandans and Seauex have the Same word
 for water-The Big bellies Winitarees & ravin Indians Speake nearly the
 Same language and the presumption is they were origionally the Same
 nation The Ravin Indians have 400 Lodges & about 1200 men, & follow the
 Buffalow, or hunt for their Subsistance in the plains & on the Court
 not & Rock Mountains, & are at war with the Sioux Snake Indians
 The Big bellies & Watersoons are at war with the Snake Indians &
 Seauex, and were at war with the Ricares untill we made peace a fiew
 days passd.--The Mandans are at War with all who make war on them, at
 present with the Seauex only, and wish to be at peace with all nations,
 Seldom the agressors-
 
 
 [Clark, November 13, 1804]
 13th The Ice begin to run we move into our hut, visited by the Grand
 Chief of the Mandans, and Che chark Lagru a Chief of the Assinniboins &
 7 men of that Nation, I Smoke with them and gave the Chief a Cord & a
 Carrot of Tobacco--this Nation rove in the Plains above this and trade
 with the British Companes on the Ossinniboin River, they are Divided
 into Several bands, the decendants of the Sioux & Speak nearly their
 langguage a bad disposed Set & Can raies about moo men in the 3 bands
 near this place, they trade with the nations of this neighbourhood for
 horses Corn & Snow all Day Capt. L. at the village.
 
 
 [Clark, November 13, 1804]
 13th Novr. Tuesday 1804
 The Ice began to run in the river 1/2 past 10 oClock P. M we rose early
 & onloaded the boat before brackfast except, the Cabin, & Stored away
 in a Store house--at 10 oClock A M the Black Cat the Mandin Chief and
 Lagru Che Chark Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan, I gave
 him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with his people & a Gold Cord with a
 view to Know him again, The nation Consists of about 600 men, hunt in
 the Plains & winter and trade on the Ossiniboin River, they are
 Decendants of the Siaux and Speake their language, they Come to the
 nations to this quarter to trade or (make preasthts) for horses the
 method of this Kind of Trafick by addoption Shall be explained
 hereafter &, Snow'd all day, the Ice ran thick and air Cold.
 
 
 [Clark, November 14, 1804]
 Fort Mandan
 14th of November Wednesday 1804
 a Cloudy morning, ice runing verry thick river rose 1/2 Inch last night
 Some Snow falling, only two Indians visit us to day Owing to a Dance at
 the Village last night in Concluding a Serimoney of adoption, and
 interchange of property, between the Ossiniboins, Christinoes and the
 nations of this neighbourhood--we Sent one man by land on hors back to
 know the reason of the Delay of our hunters, this evening 2 french men
 who were traping below Came up-with 20 beaver we are compelled to use
 our Pork which we doe Spearingly for fear of Some falur in precureing a
 Sufficiency from the Woods.
 our Interpeter informs that 70 Lodges one of 3 bands of Assinniboins &
 Some Crestinoes, are at the Mandan Village. The Crrirstinoes are abt.
 300 men Speak the Chipaway-Language, the live near Fort De peare
 
 
 [Clark, November 15, 1804]
 15th of November Thursday 1804
 a Cloudy morning, the ice run much thicker than yesterday at 10 oClock
 G Drewyer & the frenchman we Dispatched yesterday came up from the
 Hunters, who is incamped about 30 miles below--after a about one hour
 we Dispatched a man with orders to the hunters to proceed on without
 Delay thro the floating ice, we Sent by the man Tin, to put on the
 parts of the Perogue exposed to the ice & a toe roape--The wind
 Changeable--all hands work at their huts untill 1 oClock at night Swans
 passing to the South--but fiew fowls water to be Seen--not one Indian
 Came to our fort to day
 
 
 [Clark, November 16, 1804]
 16th November Friday 1804
 a verry white frost all the trees all Covered with ice, Cloudy, all the
 men move into the huts which is not finishd Several Indians Come to
 Camp to day, The Ossiniboins is at the Big bellie Camp, Some trouble
 like to take place between them from the loss of horses &c. as is Said
 by an old Indian who visited us with 4 buffalow robes & Corn to trade
 for a pistol which we did not let him have, men imployed untill late in
 dobing their huts, Some horses Sent down to Stay in the woods near the
 fort, to prevent the Ossniboins Steeling them
 
 
 [Clark, November 17, 1804]
 17 th November Satturday 1804
 a fine morning, last night was Cold, the ice thicker than yesterday,
 Several Indians visit us, one Chief Stayed all day we are much engaged
 about our huts.
 
 
 [Clark, November 18, 1804]
 18th Novr. Sunday 1804
 a Cold morning Some wind the Black Cat, Chief of the Mandans Came to
 See us, he made Great inquiries respecting our fashions. he also Stated
 the Situation of their nation, he mentioned that a Council had been
 held the day before and it was thought advisable to put up with the
 resent insults of the Ossiniboins & Christonoes untill they were
 Convinced that what had been told thim by us, Mr. Evins had deceived
 them & we might also, he promised to return & furnish them with guns &
 amunitiion, we advised them to remain at peace & that they might depend
 upon Getting Supplies through the Channel of the Missouri, but it
 requred time to put the trade in opperation. The Assiniboins &c have
 the trade of those nations in their power and treat them badly as the
 Soux does the Ricarees and they cannot resent for fear of loseing their
 trade &.
 
 
 [Clark, November 19, 1804]
 19th of November 1804 our hunters return with 32 Deerr, 12 Elk & a
 Buffalow Ice ran which detained the huntes much Cap lewis visit the Me
 ne tar rees, the 25th and returned the 27th of Nov. with 2 Chiefs &c.
 &c. and told me that 2 Clerks & 5 men of the N W Company & Several of
 the hudsons Bay Company had arrived with goods to trade with the
 Indians a Mr. La Roche & Mc Kinzey are the Celerks (Distant 150 Miles
 across)
 
 
 [Clark, November 19, 1804]
 19th Novr. Monday a Cold day the ice Continue to run our Perogue of
 Hunters arrive with 32 Deer, 12 Elk & a Buffalow, all of this meat we
 had hung up in a Smoke house, a timeley supply--Several Indians here
 all day--the wind bley hard from the N. W. by W. our men move into
 their huts, Several little Indian aneckdts. told me to day
 
 
 [Clark, November 20, 1804]
 20th November Tuesday 1804
 Capt Lewis & my Self move into our huts, a verry hard wind from the W.
 all the after part of the day a temperate day Several Indians Came Down
 to Eat fresh meat, three Chiefs from the 2d Mandan Village Stay all
 Day, they are verry Curious in examining our works. Those Chiefs
 informs us that the Souix settled on the Missourie above Dog River,
 threten to attacked them this winter, and have treated 2 Ricares who
 Carried the pipe of peace to them Verry roughly. whiped & took their
 horses from them &c. &c. & is much displeased with Ricares for makeing
 a peace with the Mandans &. &. through us, &. we gave them a
 Sattisfactory answer. &c. &c.
 
 
 [Clark, November 21, 1804]
 21st Novr. Wednesday a fine Day dispatched a perogu and Collected Stone
 for our Chimnys, Some wind from the S. W. arrange our different
 articles--maney Indians visit us to day, G D hurd his hand verry bad-
 all the party in high Spirits--The river Clear of ice, & riseing a
 little
 
 
 [Clark, November 22, 1804]
 22nd of November Thursday 1804
 a fine morning Dispatched a perogue and 5 Men under the Derection of
 Sergeant Pryor to the 2nd Village for 100 bushels of Corn in ears which
 Mr. Jessomme, let us have did not get more than 80 bushels--I was
 allarmed about 10 oClock by the Sentinal, who informed that an Indian
 was about to Kill his wife in the interpeters fire about 60 yards below
 the works, I went down and Spoke to the fellow about the rash act which
 he was like to commit and forbid any act of the kind near the fort-
 Some missunderstanding took place between this man & his wife about 8
 days ago, and She came to this place, & Continued with the Squars of
 the interpeters, 2 days ago She returned to the Villg. in the evening
 of the Same day She came to the interpeters fire appearently much beat,
 & Stabed in 3 places--We Detected that no man of this party have any
 intercourse with this woman under the penelty of Punishment--he the
 Husband observed that one of our Serjeants Slept with his wife & if he
 wanted her he would give her to him, We derected the Serjeant Odway to
 give the man Some articles, at which time I told the Indian that I
 believed not one man of the party had touched his wife except the one
 he had given the use of her for a nite, in his own bed, no man of the
 party Should touch his Squar, or the wife of any Indian, nor did I
 believe they touch a woman if they knew her to be the wife of another
 man, and advised him to take his Squar home and live hapily together in
 future,--at this time the Grand Chief of the nation arrived, & lecturd
 him, and they both went off apparently dis
 The grand Chief continued all day a warm Day fair afternoon--many
 Indian anickdotes one Chief & his familey Stay all night.
 
 
 [Clark, November 23, 1804]
 23rd, a fair warm Day, wind from the S. E. Send after Stone Several
 men with bad Colds, one man Sheilds with the Rhumitism the river on a
 Stand haveing rose 4 Inches in all
 
 
 [Clark, November 24, 1804]
 24th of November Satturday 1804
 a warm Day Several men with bad Coalds we continue to Cover our Huts
 with hewed punchens, finishd. a Cord to draw our boat out on the bank,
 this is made 9 Straps of Elk Skin,--the wind from the S. E.
 
 
 [Clark, November 25, 1804]
 25th of Novr. Sunday 1804
 a fine day warm & pleasent Capt. Lewis 2 Interpeters & 6 men Set out to
 See the Indians in the different Towns & Camps in this neighbour hood,
 we Continu to Cover & dob our huts, two Chiefs Came to See me to day
 one named Wau-ke-res-sa-ra, a Big belley and the first of that nation
 who has visited us Since we have been here, I gave him a Handkerchef
 Paint & a Saw band, and the other Some fiew articles, and paid a
 perticular attention which pleased them verry much, the interpeters
 being all with Capt. Lewis I could not talk to them. we Compleated our
 huts--Several men with bad Colds, river fall 11/2 inch
 
 
 [Clark, November 26, 1804]
 26th of Novr. 1804 Monday Fort Mandan
 a little before day light the wind shifted to the N. W. and blew hard
 and the air Keen & Cold all day, Cloudy and much the appearance of
 Snow; but little work done to day it being Cold &c.
 
 
 [Clark, November 27, 1804]
 27th of November Tuesday 1804
 a cloudy morning after a verry Cold night, the River Crouded with
 floating ice wind from the N W. finished Dobing Capt. Lewis returned
 from the Villages with two Chiefs Mar-noh toh & Man-nes-sur ree & a
 Considerate man with the party who accompanied him, The Menitares, (or
 Big bellies) were allarmed at the tales told them by the Mandans Viz:
 that we intended to join the Seaux 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 &. &.
 all those reports was contridicted by Capt Louis with a Conviction on
 the minds of the Indians of the falsity of those reports--the Indians
 in all the towns & Camps treated Capt Lewis & the party with Great
 respect except one of the principal Cheifs Mar par pa par ra pas a too
 or (Horned Weasel) who did not Chuse to be Seen by the Capt. & left
 word that he was not at home &.
 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, (& Mr. McKensey) was
 informed of the Conduct of their interpeter & the Consiquinces if they
 did not put a Stop to unfavourable & ill founded assursions &c. &.
 The two Chiefs much pleased with their treatments & the Cherefullness
 of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c. &c.
 The river fall 2 Inches verry Cold and began to Snow at 8 oClock P M
 and Continued all night--Some miss understanding with Jussomm & his
 woman--at Day the Snow Seased
 
 
 [Clark, November 28, 1804]
 28th Novr. Wednesday 1804
 a cold morning wind from the N. W river full of floating ice, began to
 Snow at 7 oClock a m and continued all day at 8 oClock the
 Poss-cop-so-he or Black Cat Grand Chief of the Mandans Came to See us,
 after Showing Those Chiefs many thing which was Curiossities to them,
 and Giveing a fiew presents of Curioes Handkerchiefs arm bans & paint
 with a twist of Tobaco they departed at 1 oClock much pleased, at
 parting we had Some little talk on the Subject of the British Trader
 Mr. Le rock Giveing Meadils & Flags, and told those Chiefs to impress
 it on the minds of their nations that those Simbells were not to be
 recved by any from them, without they wished incur the displieasure of
 their Great American Father--a verry disagreeable day--no work done to
 day river fall 1 Inch to day
 
 
 [Clark, November 29, 1804]
 29th November Thursday 1804
 A verry Cold windey day wind from the N. W by W. Some Snow last night
 the Detpt of the Snow is various in the wood about 13 inches, The river
 Closed at the Village above and fell last night two feet Mr. La Rock
 and one of his men Came to visit us we informed him what we had herd of
 his intentions of makeing Chiefs &c. and forbid him to give meadels or
 flags to the Indians, he Denied haveing any Such intention, we agreeed
 that one of our interpeters Should Speak for him on Conditions he did
 not Say any thing more than what tended to trade alone--he gave fair
 promises &.
 
 
 [Clark, November 30, 1804]
 30h of Nov. an Indian Chief Came and informed us that five Men of the
 Mandans Nation was on a hunting party to the S W, distance about Eight
 Leagues, they were Surprised one man Killed two wounded and nine horses
 taken, Severale others men wer on hunting partes & were to have
 returned Several days ago & had not yet returned, & that they expected
 to be attacked by an army of Sioux I took 23 men and went to the
 Village deturmined to Collect the warriers of the Different Villages
 and meet the Sioux--The village not expecting Such Strong aid in So
 Short a time was a little alarmed of the formable appearance of my
 party The principal Chiefs met me at 200 yards Distance from the Town,
 and envited me to his Lodge. I told the Nation the Cause of Comeing &.
 was to assist in Chastiseing the enimies of my Dutifull Children--I
 requested great Chief to repeat the Cercunstance of the Sioux attack as
 it realy happined which he did--I told them to Send runners to the
 other villages & assemble the warriers & we Would go and Chastize the
 Sioux for Spilling the Blood of my Dutifull Children--after a
 Conversation of a few minits amongst themselves, a Chief Said that they
 now Saw that what we had told them was the trooth and we were ready to
 protect them and Kill those who did not listen to our Councils (and
 after a long Speech) he concluded Said "the Sious who Spilt our Blood
 is gorn home--The Snow is deep and it is Cold, our horses Cannot Travel
 thro the plains in pursute--If you will go and conduct us in the Spring
 after the Snow is gorn, we will assemble all the warriers & Brave men
 in all the villages and go with you." I answered the Speach at Some
 length, explained to them their Situation declareing our intentions of
 Defending them at any time dureing the time we Should Stay in ther
 nieghbourhood, explained the Situation of the Ricaras & told them not
 to get angrey with them untill they were Certain of their haveing
 violated the treaty &c. &. I crossed the River on the Ice and returned
 to the fort
 
 
 [Clark, November 30, 1804]
 30th in the morning early a Indian Came to the river opposit & requsted
 to be brought over, that he had Some thing to Say from his nation we
 Sent for him, and after he had Smoked--he Said he thought the river was
 frosted across here & expected to Cross on the ice
 7 or 8 Mandans out hunting in a S. W, Derection from this place about 8
 Leagues, after they had made their hunt and on their return was
 attackted by a large Party of Seaux, one of the party a young Chief was
 Killed 2 wounded & 9 horses taken, the men who made their escape Say
 the one half of the party who attacked them was Panias-
 The two Panias who Came here a fiew days ago was imediately Sent home,
 for fear of their being put to death by the party Defeated
 Two of the attacting party was Known to be Panies. The man who was
 killed mentioned that after he was wounded, that he had been at war &
 been wounded, "this day I shall die like a man before my Enimies,! tell
 my father that I died bravely, and do not greive for me-"
 4 of the Big bellies who were Camped near thos is missing, and
 Searching for him in their Camps above--no one Dare to go to the ground
 where the battle was for fear of the Sioux being noumerous-.
 
 
 [Clark, November 30, 1804]
 30th of November Friday 1804
 This morning at 8 oClock an Indian Calld from the other Side and
 informed that he had Something of Consequence to Communicate. we Sent a
 perogue for him & he informed us as follows. Viz: "five men of the
 Mandan Nation out hunting in a S. W. derection about Eight Leagues was
 Suprised by a large party of Sceoux & Panies, one man was Killed and
 two wounded with arrows & 9 Horses taken, 4 of the We ter Soon nation
 was missing, & they expected to be attacked by the Souix &c. &." we
 thought it well to Show a Disposition to ade and assist them against
 their enimies, perticularly those who Came in oppersition to our
 Councils, and I Deturmined to go to the town with Some men, and if the
 Sceoux were comeing to attact the nation to Collect the worriers from
 each Village and meet them, thos Ideas were also those of Capt Lewis, I
 crossed the river in about an hour after the arrival of the Indian
 express with 23 men including the interpeters and flankd the Town &
 came up on the back part The Indians not expecting to receive Such
 Strong aide in So Short a time was much Supprised, and a littled
 allarmed at the formadable appearance of my party--The principal Chiefs
 met me Some Distance from the town (Say 200 yards) and invited me in to
 town, I ord my pty into dft. lodges & I explained to the nation the
 cause of my comeing in this formadable manner to their Town, was to
 asst and Chastise the enimies of our Dutifull Children,--I requested
 the Grand Cheif to repeat the Circumstancies as they hapined which he
 did as was mentioned by the Express in the morning--I then informed
 them that if they would assemble their warrers and those of the
 different Towns I would to meet the Army of Souix & Chastise thim for
 takeing the blood of our dutifull Children &c. after a conversation of
 a fiew minits anongst themselves, one Chief the Big Man Cien Said they
 now Saw that what we hade told them was the trooth, whin we expected
 the enimies of their Nation was Comeing to attact them, or had spilt
 their blood were ready to protect them, and Kill those who would not
 listen to our Good talk--his people had listened to what we had told
 them and Cearlessly went out to hunt in Small parties believing
 themselves to be Safe from the other Nations--and have been killed by
 the Panies & Seauex. "I knew Said he that the Panies were Tiers, and
 told the old Chief who Came with you (to Confirm a piece with us) that
 his people were hers and bad men and that we killed them like the
 Buffalow, when we pleased, we had made peace Several times and you
 Nation have always Commened the war, we do not want to Kill you, and
 will not Suffer you to Kill us or Steal our horses, we will make peace
 with you as our two fathers have derected, and they Shall See that we
 will not be the Ogressors, but we fear the Ricares will not be at
 peace-long--My father those are the words I Spoke to the Ricare in Your
 presents--you See they have not opened their ears to your good
 "Councils but have Spuilt our blood. two Ricarees whome we Sent home
 this day for fear of our peoples Killing them in their greaf-informed
 us when they Came here Several days ago, that two Towns of the Ricares
 were makeing their Mockersons, and that we had best take care of Our
 horses & a number of Sieuex were in their Towns, and they believed not
 well disposed towards us--four of the Wetersoons are now absent they
 were to have been back in 16 days they have been out 24 we fear they
 have fallen. my father the Snow is deep and it is cold our horses
 Cannot travel thro the the plains,--those people who have Spilt our
 blood have gorn back? if you will go with us in the Spring after the
 Snow goes off we will raise the Warriers of all the Towns & nations
 around about us, and go with you."
 I told this nation that we Should be always willing and ready to defend
 them from the insults of any nation who would dare to Come to doe them
 injurey dureing the time we would remain in their neighbourhood, and
 requstd. that they would inform us of any party who may at any time be
 discovered by their Patroles or Scouts.
 I was Sorry that the Snow in the Plains had fallen So Deep Sence the
 Murder of the young Chief by the Scioux as prevented, their horses from
 traveling I wished to meet those Scioux & all others who will not open
 their ears, but make war on our dutifull Children, and let you See that
 the Wariers of your great father will Chastize the enimies of his
 dutifull Children the Mandans, wetersoons & Winitarees, who have opend.
 their ears to his advice--you Say that the Panies or Ricares were with
 the Sciaux, Some bad men may have been with the Sciaux you know there
 is bad men in all nations, do not get mad with the racarees untill we
 know if those bad men are Counternoncd. by their nation, and we are
 Convsd. those people do not intend to follow our Councils--you know
 that the Sceaux have great influence over the ricarees and perhaps have
 led Some of them astray--you know that the Ricarees, are Dependant on
 the Sceaux for their guns, powder, & Ball, and it was policy in them to
 keep on as good terms as possible with the Siaux untill they had Some
 other means of getting those articles &c. &. you know your Selves that
 you are Compelled to put up with little insults from the Christinoes &
 Ossinaboins (or Stone Inds.) because if you go to war with those
 people, they will provent the traders in the north from bringing you
 Guns Powder & Ball and by that means distress you verry much, but whin
 you will have Certain Suppliers from your Great American father of all
 those articls you will not Suffer any nation to insult you &c. after
 about two hours conversation on various Subjects all of which tended
 towards their Situation &c. I informed them I Should return to the
 fort, the Chief Said they all thanked me verry much for the fatherly
 protection which I Showed towards them, that the Village had been
 Crying all the night and day for the death of the brave young man, who
 fell but now they would wipe away their tears, and rejoice in their
 fathers protection-and Cry no more
 I then Paraded & Crossed the river on the ice and Came down on the N.
 Side the Snow So deep, it was verry fatigueing arrved at the fort after
 night, gave a little Taffee, a Cold night the river rise to its former
 hite--The Chief frequently thanked me for Comeing to protect them--and
 the whole Village appeared thankfull for that measure