Trail Diplomacy / Diplomatic Encounters

Diplomatic Encounters

“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

    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 25, 1804

    Good humor left behind

    At Good Humor Island at present Pierre, South Dakota, a council with the Lakota Sioux brings diplomatic speeches, a military parade, and gifts. When the captains try to disembark, weapons are raised.

    November 20, 1804

    Sioux threats

    At Fort Mandan below the Knife River Villages, Charbonneau brings in a large load of meat and furs, and the captains move into their quarters. Three chiefs from Ruptáre bring news of a Sioux threat.

    Flag Presentations

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    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.

    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 2, 1804

    A Cheyenne delegation

    When four Cheyennes arrive at Fort Mandan, the captains give them a speech, tobacco, a flag, and demonstrations of many ‘curiosities’. They also give them a letter of warning for the Sioux and Arikaras.

    December 29, 1805

    Wahkiakum traders

    Clark gives visiting Wahkiakum traders a small peace medal and ties a red ribbon to a cone hat; Clatsop chief Coboway is given a razor. Clark also lists the day’s work details and sick men.

    August 3, 1804

    The Otoe council

    Most of the day is spent exchanging speeches, gifts, and knowledge with the Otoes and Missourias on Council Bluff at present Fort Atkinson, Nebraska. Then, the boats travel six miles up the Missouri.

    October 10, 1804

    An Arikara council

    At Sawa-haini above present Mobridge, South Dakota, a council with the Arikaras is held. The standard speeches and gifts are given, Lewis demonstrates his air gun, and York hams it up for the locals.

    October 16, 1805

    A musical welcome

    The paddlers negotiate the last of the Snake River rapids and the expedition arrives at the Columbia River. Soon after, they are given a musical welcome from a large group of Yakamas and Wanapums.

    August 19, 1804

    Otoe's council, Floyd's illness

    During a council at Fish Camp near present Homer, Nebraska, speeches with the Otoes are exchanged, but they appear dissatisfied with their gifts. Sgt. Floyd becomes seriously ill requiring urgent care.

    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.

    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 21, 1805

    Clatsop and Chehalis visitors

    At Station Camp near the mouth of the Columbia, some Clatsops and Lower Chehalis visit, and the wife of Chinook chief Delashelwilt brings six young females to camp. Clark describes Chinookan woven hats.

    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.

    December 12, 1805

    Coboway's peace medal

    Two canoes of Clatsops come to the construction site to trade wapato and a sea otter skin. The captains give a medal to Chief Coboway, and Clark describes the Clatsop’s desire for blue beads.

    The Osage Delegations

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    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.

    August 30, 1804

    Yankton council and dance

    At a council with the Yankton Sioux, Lewis delivers a speech, gifts given, and a peace pipe passed. Clark learns about the Akicita Society, and Sgt. Ordway finds their musical instruments interesting.

    November 28, 1804

    Black Cat's medals

    On this snowy day at Fort Mandan, Posecopsahe—Black Cat—comes to see the American “Curiossities.” He is told to no longer accept peace medals or flags from trader François-Antoine Larocque.

    October 19, 1805

    The Walla Walla and Umatillas

    After passing Hat Rock in the Wallula Gap, Clark frightens several Umatillas who—after seeing Sacagawea—learn he is not part of a war party. The day ends with mutual smoking and fiddle music.

    January 10, 1806

    Šax̣awaq̀ap visits

    After an early start at the salt makers’ camp, Clark hikes and canoes well into the dark to return to Fort Clatsop. During the day, a dozen Kathlamets visit Lewis and elk become scarce.

    September 5, 1805

    Flathead Salish council

    At present Ross’ Hole, Montana, a council with the Flathead Salish is held using five different languages: Salish-Shoshone–Hidatsa–French–English. Gifts are exchanged, and then horse-trading commences.

    August 21, 1806

    At the Arikara villages

    At the Arikara villages above present Mobridge, South Dakota, several councils are conducted between various Mandans, Arikaras, and Cheyennes. One of their 1804 engagés shares ominous news.

    September 23, 1805

    Nez Perce council

    At the Weippe Prairie Villages, the captains hold their first Nez Perce council with a message of “peace and good understanding”, and trading commences. Lewis and two others are sick.

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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.