“Lewis and Clark left St. Louis filled with apprehension about encounters with hostile Indians. But what emerged over nearly two and half years of western travel was an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust between men and women who shared a common frontier life.”
Meriwether Lewis was to answer a long list of questions about the American Indians they encountered. They were to inform each nation that there was new “American Father” who would protect them and trade with them. They were to establish peace among warring tribes and change established trade relationships with European companies. They would often rely on the Native Nations to guide them and to simply survive. They would need to employ all the diplomatic skills they possessed.
Selected Pages with Diplomatic Encounters
November 20, 1804
Diplomatic complications
Fort Mandan, ND Three chiefs from the Ruptáre village say that the Sioux will punish the Arikaras if they follow the captain’s peace initiatives. Charbonneau brings a large load of meat and furs, and the captains move into their room.
August 19, 1804
Otoe's council, Floyd's illness
Fish Camp, Homer, NE During a council, speeches are exchanged, but the Otoes appear dissatisfied with their gifts. Sergeant Floyd becomes seriously ill requiring urgent care.
August 30, 1804
Yankton council and dance
Yankton, SD The captains spend all morning preparing for a council, and then have the Yankton Sioux representatives brought over from across the river. Clark learns about the Akicita Society.
September 25, 1804
Good humor left behind
Pierre, SD At Good Humor Island, a council with the Lakota Sioux brings diplomatic speeches, a military parade, and gifts. During a tour of the barge, relationships sour. When they try to disembark, Clark draws his sword.
March 22, 1805
Little Wolf visits
Fort Mandan, ND The second chief of the Big Hidatsa Village pays his first visit and is given the standard diplomatic treatment: a peace medal, gifts, and a speech.
September 5, 1805
Council with the Salish Flatheads
Ross’ Hole, MT A Salish council is held using five different languages: Salish-Shoshone–Hidatsa–French–English. Gifts are exchanged, and then horse-trading commences.
December 2, 1804
Cheyenne delegations
Fort Mandan, ND When four Cheyennes arrive, the captains give the standard diplomatic speech, gifts of tobacco, a flag, and demonstrations of many ‘curiosities.’ A letter of warning to the Sioux and Arikaras is also handed to the visitors.
August 3, 1804
The Otoe council
North of Fort Atkinson, NE Most of the day is spent exchanging speeches, gifts, and knowledge with the Otoes and Missourias at Council Bluff Camp in present-day Nebraska. At 3 p.m. the boats travel six miles up the Missouri.
October 19, 1805
The Walla Walla and Umatillas
Boardman, OR Before departure, the captains hold a council with Walla Walla Chief Yellepit. After passing through the Wallula Gap, Clark frightens several Umatilla Indians and works to gain their trust. The day ends with mutual smoking and fiddle music.
October 10, 1804
An Arikara council
Arikara village Sawa-haini, SD Above present-day Mobridge, a council with the Arikaras is held, and the standard speeches and gifts are given. Clark appears a bit upset when York hams it up for the Indians.
October 16, 1805
A musical welcome
Snake and Columbia rivers, WA The paddlers negotiate the last of the Snake River rapids and arrive at the Columbia River where they are given a musical welcome from a large group of Yakamas and Wanapums. They give the Indians tobacco, peace medals, and other gifts.
November 21, 1805
Clatsop and Lower Chehalis visitors
Station Camp near Chinook, WA In addition to Clatsop and Lower Chehalis visitors, the wife of Chinook chief Delashelwilt brings young female camp followers. Clark describes the Chinooks.
May 11, 1806
Council at Lawyer Creek
Lawyer Creek near Kamiah, ID With four major Nez Perce chiefs present, the captains continue their council at Lawyer Creek. After that, they demonstrate the air gun and magnets; and provide medical aid to several applicants.
November 28, 1804
Black Cat's medals
Fort Mandan, ND Chief Posecopsahe (Black Cat) visits Fort Mandan to see the American “Curiossities.” He is told to no longer accept Indian peace medals or flags from Spain or England.
September 23, 1805
Nez Perce council
Weippe Prairie villages, ID The captains hold their first Nez Perce council with a message of “peace and good understanding.” Gifts are given, and trading for food and leather commences. Lewis and two others are sick.
March 9, 1805
Grand Hidatsa Chief Le Borgne
Fort Mandan, ND The Grand Chief of the Hidatsas pays his first visit to Fort Mandan. He is given gifts and Lewis demonstrates the air gun. York is the first black man ever seen by the chief.
December 29, 1805
Wahkiakum traders
Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR Overnight guests leave with a razor. Later in the day, six Wahkiakum traders present wapato bulbs and elk leather. Clark gives out a small peace medal and ties a red ribbon to a cone hat.
February 16, 1805
Scorched earth
Fort Mandan, ND Lewis and his men continue their pursuit of a Sioux war party and come to an old Mandan village where the hunter’s cache of meat that has been pillaged and two lodges set afire.
January 10, 1806
Šax̣awaq̀ap visits
Fort Clatsop, OR After an early start from the salt works and a canoe trip in the dark, Clark returns to the fort. During the day, Kathlamets visit Lewis.
March 29, 1806
Nahpooitle Village
They paddle fifteen miles up the Columbia and encamp near present Ridgefield, Washington. The captains describe the dress, houses, wapato trade, and customs of the Nahpooitle (Cathlapotle) villagers.
August 21, 1806
Arikara Villages
Above Mobridge, SD At the upper and lower Arikara villages, several councils are conducted between the Mandans, various Arikara chiefs, and visiting Cheyennes. The captains see Rivet, one of their 1804 engagés, who says a chief from an earlier Washington City delegation has died.
December 12, 1805
Coboway's peace medal
Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR In addition to receiving Coboway’s peace medal, several Clatsops trade their food for fishhooks and Indian tobacco. Three cabin walls are completed, and the search begins to find wood suitable for making roofs.
Flag Presentations
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Lewis and Clark usually distributed flags at councils with the chiefs and headmen of the tribes they encountered—one flag for each tribe or independent band.
The Osage Delegations
by Joseph A. Mussulman
They were “certainly the most gigantic men we have ever seen,” Jefferson wrote on 12 July 1804. A dozen Osage men and two boys had arrived in Washington City the previous day, escorted by Pierre Chouteau.
