During the night, the guard wakes the captains so that they can view the Aurora Borealis. During the day, Interpreter Joseph Gravelines and four St. Charles boatmen leave for the Arikara villages as part of the captain’s Mandan-Arikara peace initiative.
In Washington City, President Jefferson shares news of the expedition with Lewis’s brother Reuben.
Aurora Borealis
© 2002 by Michael Haynes Collection, North Dakota Bicentennial Lewis & Clark Foundation.
Aurora Borealis
last night late we wer awoke by the Sergeant of the Guard to See a nothern light, which was light, not red, and appeared to Darken and Some times nearly obscered, and [Nicholas Biddle: divided], many times appeared in light Streeks, and at other times a great Space light & containing floating Collomns which appeared opposite each other & retreat leaveing the lighter Space at no time of the Same appearance
—William Clark
Gravelines Departs
Mr. Jo Gravilin [Joseph Gravelines] our ricare interpeter Paul premor, Lajuness & 2 french Boys, who Came with us, Set out in a Small perogue, on their return to the ricaree nation & the Illinois, Mr. Gravilin has instructions to take on the recarees in the Spring &c.—
—William Clark
News from the Platte
Washington Nov. 6. 04.
Dear Sir
I have the pleasure also to inform you that we have lately recieved thro a channel meriting entire confidence, advice that on the 4th. of Aug. he [Meriwether Lewis] was at the mouth of the river Plate, 600 miles up the Missouri, where he had met a great council of the Missouris, Panis & Ottos, at their invitation; and had also on their request appointed among them three grand chiefs. two of his men had deserted from him.
Th: Jefferson[1]Thomas Jefferson to Reuben Lewis,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-44-02-0580. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. … Continue reading
Weather Diary
Ther. at rise
Weather Wind at Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. 31 cloudy S W 43 cloudy W some little hail about noon— Mr. Gravlin received his instructions and departed in a perogue with Premo; [Primeau] Lajuness and two french boys for the recares.
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” and “River Feet” columns and spelled out some abbreviations.
Fort Mandan is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation manages a modern reconstruction and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located at US Hwy 83 and ND Hwy 200A.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. A unit of the National Park System, the site is located at 564 County Road 37, one-half mile north of Stanton, North Dakota. It has exhibits, trails, and a visitor center.
Notes
| ↑1 | Thomas Jefferson to Reuben Lewis,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-44-02-0580. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 44, 1 July to 10 November 1804, ed. James P. McClure. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019, p. 650.] |
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| ↑2 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “day of the month” and “River Feet” columns and spelled out some abbreviations. |
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).