Lewis Crawford

In April 1804, trader Lewis Crawford was asked by Meriwether Lewis to be a diplomatic envoy to the Iowas and Yanktonai Sioux. Lewis gave Crawford a “parole and speech” and blank Indian vocabulary forms, which were crucial tools for facilitating communication and understanding Americans and the Native tribes. Crawford was also tasked with sending a representative delegation of Indians—limited to twelve from each nation—to Washington City via St. Louis.^[1]Lewis to Amos Stoddard, 16 May 1804, Amos Stoddard to Henry Dearborn, 3 June 1804 in Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents: 1783-1854, 2nd ed., ed. Donald Jackson (Urbana: … Continue reading

Because the Lewis and Clark expedition did not expect to encounter Iowas and Yanktonai Sioux on their journey up the Missouri River, they relied on Crawford to act on their behalf. This mission was part of a broader strategy to establish peaceful relations and secure alliances with the Native American tribes, which were considered essential for the broader success of the United States’ expansion into the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.^[2]For more, see on this site Trail Diplomacy.

The Iowa vocabulary was received by Amos Stoddard October 1804 and forwarded to President Jefferson. In March 1805, the Yanktonai vocabulary arrived along with a delegation of Sioux chiefs from the Des Moines River. When they found out that they could not leave for Washington City until May, they decided to return home.^[3]Amos Stoddard to Thomas Jefferson, 19 October 1804, Stoddard to Jefferson, 24 March 1805 in Letters, 212–13; 221. These efforts exemplified the complex and delicate nature of early American diplomacy and the significant role of intermediaries like Crawford in navigating the cultural and political landscapes of the American frontier.

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April 4, 1804

Packing provisions



At Camp River Dubois, Clark has the enlisted men pack corn, salted pork, flour, and other provisions needed for the upcoming trip. He also writes a speech to be delivered by trader Lewis Crawford to the Iowa People and other Sioux Nations.

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April 5, 1804

A speech for the Iowas



At Camp River Dubois, Clark and Lewis write speeches to inform Iowa and Yanktonai People of the Louisiana transfer of ownership. They send the speeches with Des Moines River trader Lewis Crawford along with Jefferson’s questions for Indians and vocabulary forms. They also send an invitation to visit Washington City.

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April 6, 1804

Tomahawks and knives



A birch bark canoe belonging to trader Lewis Crawford and bound for the post at Mackinac sets out from Camp River Dubois. Clark distributes knives and tomahawks to the enlisted men, and in the evening, it snows for a short time.

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May 16, 1804

St. Charles arrival



The boats set out early, pass the coal beds of Charbonier Bluff, and reach St. Charles, an early French settlement on the Missouri River. Many citizens come out to see the event and socialization commences.

Still in St. Louis, Lewis authorizes Amos Stoddard, the commandant of Upper Louisiana Territory, to act as his agent concerning any Indian delegations and engagés sent to St. Louis.

From Washington City, the Secretary of War Henry Dearborn asks Capt. Amos Stoddard to continue as Civil Commandant of Upper Louisiana.

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October 29, 1804

Mandan and Hidatsa council



Opposite the Knife River, Mandan and Hidatsa chiefs come from each village to council with the captains. A long speech is given, and the captains ask them to smoke the pipe of peace with an Arikara chief.

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March 24, 1805

Bird cages



At Fort Mandan, cages are made for the live birds that will soon be sent to Washington City. In St. Louis, Capt. Amos Stoddard updates President Thomas Jefferson regarding Lewis’s delegation of Iowas.

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