March 1, 1805

" men building perogus, makeing Ropes, Burning Coal, Hanging up meat & makeing battle axes for Corn."  Clark


March 2, 1805

"A fine day the river brake up in places all engaged about something Mr. LaRocque a clerk of the nw Company visit us, has latterly returned from the establishments on the Assinniboin River with merchandize to trade with the indians .  Mr. L informs us the N, W. & X Y Companies have joined & the head of the NW CO. is Dead Mr. McTavish of Montreal*.  Visited by several Indians today ."

Mr. McTavish of Montreal*-  Simon McTavish came to America from Inverness - shire, Scotland, before 1772, and was a fur trader in Albany, New York, moving to Montreal in 1775.  He was one of the original partners of the North West Company in 1779, becoming head of the company "in fact, if not in name," and perhaps the richest man in Montreal.  The X Y , of New North West Company was founded in part by North West men who broke with the old company in 1798 - 1800, because of disagreement with McTavish's policies.  His death in 1804 apparently made the merger of the two firms possible.

March 3, 1805

" A fine day the river brake up in places all engaged about something.  visited by the black Cat, Chief of the Mandans 2nd Chief and a Big Belly."   Clark


March 4, 1805

" a Cloudy morning  the after part of the day clear,, visited by the Black Cat & Big White, who brought a small present of meat.   The Assinniboins attempted to take horses of the Minnetarres & were fired on by them -"   Clark


March 5, 1805

" Themometer at 40 abov 0 A fine Day.  Several Indians visit us to day. "  Clark

March 6, 1805

" Smokey all Day from the burning of the plains, which was Set on fire by the Minetarries for an early crop of Grass as an endusement for the buffalow to feed on*-  the horses which was stolen some time ago by the Assinnniboins from the minetarries were returned yesterday - one man Shannon cut his foot with the ads** in working at a perogue."  Captain Clark

buffalow to feed on* - Early spring prairie fires set intentionally to improve the growth of prairie grasses and attract buffalo to graze was the only one of the several reasons for purposefully setting fires.

ads** - An adze, a tool for rough-shaping wood.

March 7, 1805

Charbonneau along with a group of  hunters returned to the Fort with gifts from the NW Trading Company: " he our interpreter had received a present from Mr. Charboilleiz from the N W Company of the following articles 3 Brace* of Cloth 1 Brace of Scarlet a par Corduroy overalls ( Coats) 1 Vests ... Tobacco 3 Knives."  Clark