On this snowy day at Fort Clatsop near the Pacific Ocean, Lewis says that nothing worthy of notice happens this day. He then writes about Chinookan lifeways describing their dress, hats, and double-edge knives.
In Washington City, General James Wilkinson is appointed governor of Louisiana.
Hats and Knives
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
Double-edge Knife
© by Jim Sayce. Used with permission.
Nothing Transpires
Nothing transpired today worthy of notice. we are agreeable disappointed in our fuel which is altogether green pine. we had supposed that it burn but illy, but we have found that by spliting it that it burns very well.
—Meriwether Lewis
Chinookan Dress
they never wear leggins or mockersons which the mildness of this climate I presume has rendered in a great measure unnecessary; and their being obliged to be frequently in the water also renders those articles of dress inconvenient.
—Meriwether Lewis
Woven Conic Hats
The dress of the Clatsops and others in this neighbourhood differs but little from the discribed of the skillutes; they wear a hat of a conic figure without a brim confined on the head by means of a stri[n]g which passes under the chin . . . . these hats are made of the bark of cedar and beargrass wrought with the fingers so closely that it casts the rain most effectually . . . . on these hats they work various figures of different colours . . . . these figures are faint representations of whales the canoes and the harpoonneers striking them.
—Meriwether Lewis
Clatsop Double-edge Knife
The form of knife which seems to be prefered by these people is a double edged and double pointed daggar; the handle being in the middle . . . . these knives they carry with them habitually and most usually in the hand, somtimes exposed but most usually particularly when in company with strangers, under their robes with this knife they cut and lense their fish make their arrows &c.
—Meriwether Lewis
Weather Diary
aspect of the weather at rise
Wind at Weather at 4 OC. P.M. Wind at 4 OC. P.M. snow after snow N. cloudy after snow W the weather by no means as could as it has been snow feell about one inch deep
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the month” column and spelled out some of the abbreviations.
General Wilkinson Appointed Governor
THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the United States of America.
To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:—
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Integrity and Abilities of JAMES WILKINSON of Maryland, I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him Governor in and over the Territory of Louisiana; and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the duties of that Office according to law; and to Have and to Hold the said Office with all the powers, privileges and Emoluments to the same of right appertaining for the term of three years from the day of the date hereof, unless the President of the United States for the time being should be pleased sooner to revoke and determine this Commission.
Given under my hand at the City of Washington . . . .
Th: Jefferson
James Wilkinson was not only the Commanding General of the U.S. Army, he was also a spy for Spain code named Secret Agent Number 13. By 1807, he became so unpopular as Louisiana Territory governor that Thomas Jefferson replaced him with Meriwether Lewis.
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Fort Clatsop is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The site is managed by the Lewis and Clark National and State Historic Parks.
Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the month” column and spelled out some of the abbreviations. |
| ↑3 | Clarence E. Carter, The Territorial Papers of the United States (Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1948), 13:421–22, digitized by Google books. |
