wing to the presence of Spanish spies along the preferred detour around the Great Raft, expedition was obliged to thread its way through the Great Swamp to the northeast, a two-week ordeal that impressed the Caddo Indians. Freeman reported that Chief Dehahuit "observed that we must have suffered a great deal of hardship in passing...with our boats, and expressed his wonder at our success." Freeman responded diplomatically:

He was informed that we had suffered much, but were not to be deterred by obstacles of that nature, from paying a visit to him, and the other Chiefs and Nations on this River. I then explained to them the wishes of the President of the U.S. and the American People, respecting the Indians of that Country.¹

The Great Swamp was a vast watery wilderness comparable to the dense and dangerous Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, consisting of interconnected swamps, bayous, islands and lakes--including Lake Bisteneau, which is not a state park--in which the party lost its way for several days.

Based on Flores, J&SE, 127 note 9, 161-162

--Joseph Mussulman

1. Freeman did not record any details of his address, but we know that President Jefferson had given him instructions similar to those sent to Meriwether Lewis.