As the expedition’s flotilla of boats approach the Grand Tower of the Mississippi, Lewis learns of the ritual held the first time a boatman passes it. He also describes coal mines and the Apple River Shawnees living in that area.
In Washington City, the senior Senator from New York state tells his wife about the progress of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Grand Tower of the Mississippi River
© 2021 by Robert Heacock. Used by permission.
Large Shawnee Village
The Apple River extends a considerable distance back in the country say 40 or 50 miles & heads with the waters of the St. Francis’s River. on this stream about 7 miles from it’s mouth, is a settlement of Shawnees, which more than any other in this quarter deserves the name of a villiage
—Meriwether Lewis
Coal Mining
there are many fine mines of pitt Coal on this stream [Big Muddy River], and one not far from its mouth whence boats asscend in common and high tide are loaded with and transport it the Saline on W. of mississippi and to Kaskaskias & elsewhere for the use of the blacksmiths and other artizans—
—Meriwether Lewis
Grand Tower Ritual
Arrived at the Grand Tower a little before sunset, passed above it and came too on the Lard. shore for the night. This seems among the watermen of the mississippi to be what the tropics or Equanoxial line is with regard to the Sailors; those who have never passed it before are always compelled to pay or furnish some sperits to drink or be ducked
—Meriwether Lewis
Senator Mitchell’s Expectations
Washington City November 25th, l803
My dear Wife
It may perhaps be expected that you should know some particulars of Louisiana which has lately been annexed . . . .
In the Course of two years, it may be expected we shall know more about this Land of Curiosity . . . . Captain Meriwether Lewis late private Secretary to the President, and Mr. Clark son of Genl. Clark accompanied by a Select Corps of 12 Men, have departed on this fatiguing Mission. They have already passed down the Ohio, and are expected to ascend the Mississippi as far as Kahokia, and there to pass the Winter. Tho if the Autumn should be mil[d] they have the discretion given them of passing up the Missouri as far as they can . . . . I confess when I consider the hardships and dangers of such an undertaking, I tremble for the fate of the adventurers. On mentioning my fears to M. Jefferson, he said the Commanders and Crew were well selected and with great Care, for the purpose in View, and were uncommonly zealous to perform the Service.
. . . . there is one thing which defies all measure, bounds and limits, and that is my love for my amiable Wife.
Sam L Mitchill[1]Samuel L. Mitchill ALS to Catharine Mitchill, University of Michigan Digital Collections, quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mitchill/mitchill.0126.004/1 accessed 23 Nov 2025.
Notes
| ↑1 | Samuel L. Mitchill ALS to Catharine Mitchill, University of Michigan Digital Collections, quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mitchill/mitchill.0126.004/1 accessed 23 Nov 2025. |
|---|
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.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
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 site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with additional funding from the following:
