Moving down the Missouri, the expedition enters the lands of the Kansa Nation. Three large trade boats from St. Louis bring news and provisions. Lewis collects his last plant specimen, and at camp near present Leavenworth, Kansas, they sing in ‘greatest harmony‘.
The Kansas or Kaw Indians
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
Monchousia (White Plume). Kansa (c. 1822)
Charles Bird King (1785–1862)
Courtesy the White House Historical Association.
Preparing for the Kansas
this being the part of the Missouri the Kanzas [Kansas] nation resort to at this Season of the year for the purpose of robbing the perogues passing up to other nations above, we have every reason to expect to meet with them, and agreeably to their Common Custom of examining every thing in the perogues and takeing what they want out of them, it is probable they may wish to take those liberties with us, which we are deturmined not to allow of and for the Smallest insult we Shall fire on them.
—William Clark
Three Large Trade Boats
we met three large boats bound to the Yanktons and Mahars [Omahas] the property of Mr. Lacroy, Mr. Aiten & Mr. Coutau [Auguste Chouteau] all from St. Louis, those young men received us with great friendship and pressed on us Some whisky for our men, Bisquet, Pork and Onions, & part of their Stores
—William Clark
Greatest Harmony
we proceeded on to an Island near the middle of the river below our encampment of the 1st of July 1804 and encamped haveing decended only 53 miles to day. our party received a dram and Sung Songs untill 11 oClock at night in the greatest harmoney.
—William Clark
Raccoon Grape
Ampelopsis cordata
Photo dated 12 July 2012 near Seagoville, Texas. Provided by Brenda K. Loveless, wildflower.org, 32707.
Last Plant Specimen
near Counsel Bluffs Missouri. Septb. 14th 1806
—Meriwether Lewis[2]Raccoon grape (also known as heartleaf peppervine), Ampelopsis cordata. Moulton, ed. Herbarium, specimen 9.
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 cloudy S E —William Clark[3]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented and some abbreviations have been spelled out.
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 | Raccoon grape (also known as heartleaf peppervine), Ampelopsis cordata. Moulton, ed. Herbarium, specimen 9. |
| ↑3 | To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented and some abbreviations have been spelled out. |
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).