December 12, 1805

"in the evening two canoes of Clatsops visit us they brought with the Wap pa to, a black sweet root they call Sha-na-toe que*, and a small sea otter skin, all of which we purchased for a fiew fishing hooks and a small sack of Indian tobacco which was given by the Snake Inds.  Those Indians appear well disposed  we gave a Medal to the pricipal Chief named Con-ny-au or Com-mo-wol** and treated thsoe with him with as much attention as we could - I can readily discover that they are close deelers & stickle for a verry little, never close a bargain except they think they have the advantage  value blue beeds highly, white they also prise but no other Colour do they Value in the least - the Wap pa to they sell high, this root the purchase at a high price from the natives above."

Sha-na-toe que*- Edible thistle

Com-mo-wol**- Coboway, a local leader.

December 13, 1805

" we continue to put up the streight butifull balsom pine* on our houses - and we are much pleased to find that the timber splits most butifully and to the width of 2 feet or more. 

balsom pine*- Probably, grand fir

December 14, 1805

 " good deal of rain fell; the weather here still continues warm, no freezing except a little frost. We completed the building of our huts, 7 in number, all but the covering." Gass

December 15, 1805

" myself an 2 others were employed in fixing and finishing the quarters of the Commanding Officers and 2 more preparing puncheons* for covering the huts. "Gass

puncheons*- A heavy, broad piece of roughly dressed timber with one side flat.

December 16, 1805

"The winds violent  trees falling in every derection, whorl winds, with gusts of rain hail & thunder, this kind of weather lasted al day, Certainly one of the worst days that ever was!"

December 17, 1805

" all the men at work about the houses, some chinking*, dobbing** cutting out dores."

chinking*- Stuffing something into  the chinks (spaces between the logs)

dobbing**- Daubing - To smear clay over the chinking to keep out wind and cold.

December 18, 1805

Very little work was accomplished on the huts due to weather: " snow fell an inch deep, morning was stormy."  Gass