The captains had heard of John Hay in a letter William Henry Harrison dated 13 November 1803, in which the Illinois Governor mentions a map—owned by Hay—from the Mackay-Evans Expedition. Hay, a fur trader and Postmaster in Cahokia, later provided Lewis a copy of that expedition’s 1795–97 journey up the Missouri. He and fellow Cahokian Nicholas Jarrot also translated when Lewis met Spanish Governor of Upper Louisiana, Carlos Dehault Delassus in St. Louis. With his considerable experience with Native American Nations and the Missouri-Mississippi fur trade, Hay also provided the captains significant information and advice.
Related Pages
The life and times of these three explorers intertwined in a number of odd and interesting ways, often brought together by far-reaching hand of Thomas Jefferson. Tracing these connections opens a window onto every conceivable aspect of the period.
Jews Harps
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Although nobody can determine how this tiny musical instrument was named, we do know Lewis included them in his list of Indian gifts. Whitehouse records the merriment of the Yankton Sioux playing them and dancing.
December 7, 1803
Cahokia arrivals
Lewis travels by land and Clark by river to arrive at Cahokia, Illinois. Lewis meets John Hay and Nicholas Jarrot who help him negotiate with the Spanish Lt. governor of Upper Louisiana.
December 8, 1803
Spanish resistance
On this or the previous day, Lewis meets with Dehault Delassus, the Spanish Lt. Governor of Upper Louisiana, and all agree that the expedition should spend the winter near Cahokia.
December 28, 1803
Mackay and Evans journals
At Wood River, Clark reports “nothing remarkable to day”. Elsewhere, Lewis tells President Jefferson that he has a census of Louisiana and journals and maps from explorers John Evans and James Mackay.
January 30, 1804
Lewis comes to camp
After working in Cahokia and St. Louis for nearly two months, Lewis comes to winter camp on the Wood River. On or near this date, Clark draws and labels a side elevation of the barge.
February 2, 1804
Hays and Hay depart
Wood River Camp, IL Clark and Lewis accompany John Hay and John Hays part-way back to Cahokia before returning to winter camp at Wood River for dinner. Clark’s poor health continues.
April 26, 1804
A killing frost
At winter camp at the River Dubois, fur trader and Cahokia Postmaster John Hay arrives to help prepare the Indian gifts. He reports that frost has killed much of the fruit in the Cahokia area.
April 27, 1804
Preparing Indian goods
At winter camp on the Wood River, William Clark and fur trader John Hay organize the many goods that will be used as diplomatic gifts for the Indians the expedition will meet.
April 28, 1804
Shooting for money
At winter camp on the Wood River, several local settlers lose their money in marksmanship contests with the enlisted men. All hands are otherwise busy packing and Lewis continues in St. Louis.
April 29, 1804
Packing Indian goods
Several Kickapoo chiefs and a boat captain visit Clark at Winter Camp on the Wood River. Fur trader John Hay continues to pack goods, and Lewis continues his work in St. Louis.
April 30, 1804
Indian goods nearly ready
At winter camp, fur trader John Hay and William Clark nearly finish packing the Indian trade goods into bundles—each designated to a specific tribe. Across the Mississippi, Lewis works in St. Louis.
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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Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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- 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).