The Captains’ Thoughts

Both of the following excerpts were recorded in William Clark's journal on November 24th, 1805.

Library of Congress

Captain Meriwether Lewis

Proceed on to morrow & examine The other side if good hunting to winter there, as Salt is an objt. if not to proceed on to Sandy it is probable that a vestle will come in this winter, & that by proceeding on at any distance would not inhance our journey in passing the Rockey mountains.

Library of Congress

Captain William Clark

In favour of proceding on without delay to the opposit Shore & there examine, and find out both the disposition of the Indians, & probibilaty of precureing Subsistance, and also enquire if the Tradeing vestles will arrive before the time we Should depart in the Spring, and if the Traders, Comonly arive in a Seasonable time, and we Can Subsist without a depends. on our Stores of goods, to Continue as the Climent would be more favourable on the Sea Coast for our naked men than higher up the Countrey where the Climate must be more Severe— The advantage of the arival of a vestle from whome we Can precure goods will be more than an over ballance, for the bad liveing we Shall have in liveing on Pore deer & Elk we may get in this neighbourhood. If we Cannot subsist on the above terms to proceed on, and make Station Camps, to neighbourhood of the Frendly village near the tong narrows & delay untill we Can proceed up the river. Salt water I view as an evil in as much as it is not helthy— I am also of opinion that one two or three weeks Exemination on the opposide if the propects are any wise favourable, would not be too long... (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 84-5)

- William Clark, November 24th, 1805