The expedition remains another day at the mouth of the Kansas River where Lewis determines its latitude. Lewis describes the river and Clark describes the Kansa People.
History of the Kansa Nation
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
Kaw Point (Missouri and Kansas Rivers)
From an interpretive sign at Kaw Point. Photo by Kristopher K. Townsend.
The Kansas River
the Kanzas river disembogues itself on the South side; being 364 miles from the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi. This river takes it’s rise not very distant from the principal branch of the Arkanas in a high broken sandy country . . . . it has been navigated 200 leagues and there is good reason to believe from the appearance of the river and country at that point that it is navigable for perogues much further perhaps nearly to it’s source.
—Meriwether Lewis[2]A Summary view of the Rivers and Creeks, Fort Mandan Miscellany, Moulton, III:343–44.
The Kansa Nation
This River recves its name from a nation which dwells at this time on its banks those Indians [The Kansas] are not verry noumerous at this time, reduced by war with their neighbours . . . . [They] were verry noumerous at the time the french first Settled the Illinois, I am told they are a fierce & warlike people, being badly Supplied with fire arms, become easily conquered by the Aiauway [Iowa] & Saukees [Sauks and Foxes] who are better furnished with those materials of war, This nation is now out in the plains hunting the Buffalow
—William Clark
Kansas River Latitude
Observed Equal Altitudes of
, with Sextant . . . . Latitude deduced from this obst. 39° 5′ 25.7″
—Meriwether Lewis
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 | A Summary view of the Rivers and Creeks, Fort Mandan Miscellany, Moulton, III:343–44. |
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).