Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Osage and Mandan delegates[1]For the delegations traveling with Lewis and Clark on this day, see The Osage Delegations and Sheheke’s Delegation. are in Vincennes, Illinois on their way to Louisville and Washington City. Lewis buys rations and supplies from local merchant George Wallace, and Clark’s 1794 journal tells of the popularity of balls among the town’s residents.
Territory of Indiana Capital
Courtesy of Vincennes State Historic Sites.
Also known as the Red House, what would become the home of the Indiana Territorial General Assembly (1811–1813) was originally built c. 1805 as a tailor shop. The peg and timber frame building could have been visited by Lewis, Clark, or any of their party as they traveled to Washington City in 1806.[2]“Explore the City”, Vincennes State Historic Sites, www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/vincennes-state-historic-site/things-to-do/#walk3-1 accessed 15 April 2026.
Lewis Buys Supplies
[Vincennes] October [30th] 1806
Sir [Genl. Henry Dearborn]
My Bill of Exchange No. [113] of this date in favor of [George Wallace, Jr.] or order, for the Sum of [500] Dollars and —— Cents is on account of that sum delivered me in Specie, and which when paid will be charged to me on the faith of my final settlement with the party who accompanied me to the Pacific Ocean.
I have the honor to be with due Consideration
Your obt. Servt.Meriwether Lewis Capt.
1st U.S, Regt. Infty.
Clark in Vincennes (1793)
In November 1792, a young Lieutenant William Clark left the Falls of the Ohio laded with military clothing. He arrived in Vincennes on 3 January 1793 and left two months and one week later—all the while keeping a journal:
Friday 3 [January 1793]. at 12 oClock arivd. at St. Vincennes, delivered the Clothing to Capt. Posters.
4th, had a Ball in Town
11th, had a Ball—
12th, very cold frease & snow, Ice planty in the River
14th do a Ball to night.
18th Mr. Vigo gave a Ball—
25th 2 frenchmen gave a Ball.
24th gave a Ball in the garrison
Satterday 25th. Study with the priest a Cloudy cold day Mr. Van deburg had a Ball—
1st February Satterday Mjr. Viego had a Ball tonight
Sonday 2nd February a cold day. Some french Marry to day
—William Clark[4]Journal and Memorandum Book of William Clark, 1792–1794, Clark Family Collection, Missouri Historical Society.
Notes
| ↑1 | For the delegations traveling with Lewis and Clark on this day, see The Osage Delegations and Sheheke’s Delegation. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | “Explore the City”, Vincennes State Historic Sites, www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/vincennes-state-historic-site/things-to-do/#walk3-1 accessed 15 April 2026. |
| ↑3 | Meriwether Lewis to Henry Dearborn, Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents: 1783–1854, ed. Donald Jackson (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978), 1:349. |
| ↑4 | Journal and Memorandum Book of William Clark, 1792–1794, Clark Family Collection, Missouri Historical Society. |
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.
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