Day-by-Day / December 16, 1804

December 16, 1804

A letter from Chaboillez

Fort Mandan, ND Traders Hugh Heney and François-Antoine Larocque bring a letter from the manager of Fort Assiniboine of the North West Company accompanied by Budge of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Information is exchanged and the three traders spend the night

A Messenger from the Traders[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

A Letter from Chaboillez

Mr. Henny [Hugh Heney], from the Establishment on River Ossinnniboin [Fort Assiniboine], with a letter from, Mr Charles Chaboillez one of the Cos [companies] arrived in 6 Days, Mr. C in his letters expressed a great anxiety to Serve us in any thing in his power—

a root Discribed by Mr. Henny for the Cure of a Mad Dog
William Clark

Lunar Halo

at Sun rise Stood at 22° below 0, a verry Singaler appearance of the Moon last night, as She appeared thro: The frosty atmispear—
—William Clark

North West Traders

4 men came here which belonged to the N W. Compy. of Traders, which are now at the Mandans & Grovantiaus [Hidatsas]. came for the purpose of tradeing for their Robes & furs, &.C. Some of our men got Some Tobacco from them. they remained with all night.
John Ordway

Larocque’s Assessment

Sunday 16th. Arrived at Fort Mandan being the name the Americans give to their Fort, which is constructed in a triangular form. Ranges of houses making two sides, & a range of amazing large pickets the front. The whole is made so strong as to be almost, Cannon Ball proof.
François-Antoine Larocque[2]W. Raymond Wood and Thomas D. Thiessen, Early Fur Trade on the Northern Plains: Canadian Traders among the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians, 1738–1818 (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1985), 143.

 

Weather Diary

Ther. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at sun symbol rise Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. River
22 below fair N W. 4 fair N W fall 1 in.

Mr. Haney and Mr. La Roche visits us.
Meriwether Lewis[3]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

Notes

Notes
1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.
2 W. Raymond Wood and Thomas D. Thiessen, Early Fur Trade on the Northern Plains: Canadian Traders among the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians, 1738–1818 (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1985), 143.
3 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

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.