Grand River, MO After passing through the perilous Malta Bend, the captains meet an old military acquaintance of Lewis’s, James McClallen. He had been sent by the Louisiana governor to establish trade with the Pawnees and Comanches, and then establish a post near Santa Fe to trade for Spanish silver and gold.
Perilous Malta Bend
We Set out as usial early pass the Island of the little Osage Village which is considered by the navigator of this river to be the worst place in it. at this place water . . . passes through a narrow chanel for more than 2 miles which is crouded with Snags in maney places quite across obligeing the navigater to pick his passage between those Snags as he can, in maney places the current passing with great velocity against the banks which cause them to fall &c.
—William Clark
Talking with James McClallen
we met a Captain McClellin late a Capt. of Artily of the U States Army assending in a large boat. this gentleman an acquaintance of my friend Capt. Lewis was Somewhat astonished to See us return and appeared rejoiced to meet us. we found him a man of information and from whome we received a partial account of the political State of our Country, we were makeing enquires and exchangeing answers &c. untill near mid night.
—William Clark
Almost Forgotten
this Gentleman informed us that we had been long Since given out by the people of the U S Generaly and almost forgotton, the President of the U. States had yet hopes of us;
—William Clark
McClallen’s Civilities
we received some civilities of Capt. McClellin, he gave us Some Buisquit, Chocolate Sugar & whiskey, for which our party were in want and for which we made a return of a barrel of corn & much obliges to him.
—William Clark
Envoy to the Spanish
Capt. McClellin informed us that he was on reather a speculative expedition to the confines of New Spain . . . . he has a kind of introductory Speach from Govr. Wilkinson to the Panias [Pawnees] and Ottoes [Otoes] and a quantity of presents of his own which he purposes distributing to the Panias and ELeatans [perhaps Comanches]
—William Clarkthey are bound for the Spanish Country by way of River platte to the panies Indians & purchase horses and cross the Mountains leaving their goods on this Side and git the Spaniards to come and bring their silver & gold and trade it for goods
—John Ordway
Weather Diary
State of the weather at Sun rise Course of the wind at Sun rise State of the weather at 4 oClock Course of wind at 4 P. M fair S E fair S E. day worm, but fiew musquetors
—William Clark[1]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented and some abbreviations have been spelled out.
Notes
| ↑1 | To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented and some abbreviations have been spelled out. |
|---|
