From St. Louis and Camp River Dubois, Lewis and Clark write letters of introduction for Pierre Chouteau who will soon take a delegation of Osage to Washington City. At winter camp, the bottom of the barge is inspected, influential trader Manuel Lisa visits, and Sgt. Floyd brings letters to Clark.
Osage Warrior
Walter color by Charles Balthazar Julien Févrét de Saint-Mémin based on a physiognotraced likeness by the same artist. Washington, D.C., 1807. Actual size: 7½ x 6¾. Courtesy Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, Delaware. Accession No. 54.19.3
This portrait and four others by Charles B. J. F. de Saint Mémin (1770–1852), are the first known portraits of Plains Indians. Four of the subjects were from the Osage delegation brought by Pierre Chouteau in 1804.[1]James J. Holmberg, ed. Dear Brother: Letters of William Clark to Jonathan Clark (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002), 83n3.
Letters from St. Louis
I write letters to Sundy Gentlemen by Mr. Choteau [Pierre Chouteau] Some wind, rive[r] falling worked at Boat hauled her up & examined the bottom, Mr Lousa [Manuel Lisa] & other arrive also Sergt. Floyd from St Louis with Letters to me.
—William Clark
Condemned Pork
Majr. Rumsey was polite enough to examine all my provisions Several Kegs of Pork he Condemned.
—William Clark
Letter of Introduction
Mouth of the Missouri May 3rd 1804
Dear Sir,
This will be handed you by my friend Mr. Peter Choteau an inhabitant of St. Louis, a gentleman deservedly esteemed . . . . On our Several Visits to St. Louis, in the Course of the Winter and Spring, we have made the house of this gentleman our home.
Your effect Brother &
Sincere friendWm. Clark[2]Ibid. 81–82.
Osage Delegation
Dear Sir,
Mr. Choteau’s Zeal to Serve & permote the Public welfar has induced him, at the instance of our government to Visit the Osage Nation sence the session of this Countrey to the U State — he has brought with him the Great Chief of that Nation, and many other Chiefs of the first consideration and respectability among them, and is now on his way to the City of Washington in Charge of those Chiefs, with a view to effect a treaty between the UStates and that nation.
Your effect Brother &
Sincere friendWm Clark[3]Ibid.
Weather Diary
Thermometer at rise
Weather Wind at Thermometer at 4 oCk. P.M. Weather Wind at 4 oCk. P.M River 32 above fair S S E 80 above fair S S W fall 4 ½ in. —Meriwether Lewis[4]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.
Winter Camp at Wood River (Camp Dubois) is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The site, near Hartford, Illinois, is managed as Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and is open to the public.
Notes
| ↑1 | James J. Holmberg, ed. Dear Brother: Letters of William Clark to Jonathan Clark (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002), 83n3. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Ibid. 81–82. |
| ↑3 | Ibid. |
| ↑4 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations. |
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- 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.
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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).