Day-by-Day / May 19, 1804

May 19, 1804

Pay day in St. Charles

Interpreter and hunter George Drouillard returns to St. Charles with cash and a temporarily misplaced letter from Meriwether Lewis. William Clark collects pay receipts from the enlisted men and apparently pays some of them in lieu of clothing and rations. Local citizens visit the boats and invite the men to socialize in town.

A Little Cash and a Lost Letter

by Yellowstone Public Radio[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

Drouillard Brings Cash

George Drewyer return from St Louis and brought 99 Dollars, he lost a letter from Cap Lewis to me . . . . I took receipt for the pay of the men up to the 1 St. of Decr.
William Clark

Clark’s Receipt Form

We the Subcribes do acknowledge to have received of Capt. Several Sums mentioned against our respective names, in Liew of Cloathing and rations not Drawn, and Due us for the respective periods herein expressed—for which we have Signed triplicate receipts this 19th of May 1804 St Charles
—William Clark

Clark’s Social Life

I recve an invitation to a Ball, it is not in my power to go . . . . Seven Ladies visit me to day.
—William Clark

 
 

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.

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.