Chinook Indians...

Dear Journal,

In late 1805, we began to make its way down the Columbia River after crossing the Rocky Mountains, we were told by the Nez Perce Indians that the Chinooks living down the river had a different culture and language than anything we had encountered. The Nez Perce chiefs also warned us of a rumor that the Chinooks intended to kill the Americans when the expedition arrived. I, however, commented, “as we are at all times & places on our guard, [we] are under no greater apprehention than is common.”

The Chinooks were accustomed to European goods and white traders, so their first encounters with us were peaceful. On October 26, 1805, two Chinook chiefs and several men came to our camp to offer gifts of deer meat and root bread cakes. We responded by presenting the chiefs with medals and the men with trinkets. Other Chinook villages along the banks of the river offered similar receptions to us as we approached the Pacific Ocain and the mouth of the Columbia River.

During these encounters, however, we struggled with what I termed “the protection of our Stores from thieft.” This became such a problem with the Chinooks in the area that we had to restrain some of the men from instigating fights with the Indians. As I noted, “it [is] necessary at this time to treat those people verry friendly & ingratiate our Selves with them, to insure us a kind & friendly reception on our return.”