Fort Clatsop

March 8, 1806

"Some snow fell last night, and the morning was stormy and disagreeable. About 9 o’clock another of our hunters came in, who had killed 2 Elk."

March 9, 1806

"This morning the men set out at daylight to go in qust of the Elk which Collins had killed, they returned with it at eleven AM  Bratton complains of his back being very painfull to him today; I conceive this pain to be something of the rheumatism.  we still apply the linniment and flannel; in the evening he was much better.  Drewyer and Joseph Fields returned not haveing found any Elk.  Sergt. Pryor and the fishing party not yet arrived, suppose they are detained by the winds.  visited by 3 Clatsop men who brought a dog some fish and a Sea Otter skin for sale.  we suffer them to remain all night."

March 10, 1806

"About 1 PM it became fair and we sent out two parties of hunters on this side of the Netul the one below and the other above.  we also directed a party* to set out early in the morning and pass the bay and hunt beyond the Kilhowanackle.  from the last we have considerable hope as we have yet hunted but little in that quarter.  The hunters who were over the Netull the other day informed us that they measured a pine tree which at the hight of a man's breast was 42 feet in the gifth about three feet higher, or as high as a tall man could reach, it was 40 feet in girth which was about the circumpherence for at lest 200 feet without a limb, and that it was very lofty about the commencement of the limbs*." 
 

limbs* - Description of the Sitka Spruce

March 11, 1806

"Sent Sergt Gass and a party in Serch of one of our canoes which was reported to have been lost from a hunting party of Shields R. Field & Frazier when they were last out on the opposite Side of the Netul."

March 12, 1806

"We sent a party again in surch of the perogue but they returned unsucessful as yesterday.   our party are now furnished with 358 pair of mockersons exclusive of a good portion of dressed leather." "

March 13, 1806

" Sent Drewyer down to the Clatsop village to purchase a couple of their canoes if possible.  Sergt Pryor and a party made another surch for the lost perogue but was unsuccessful' while engaged in surching for the perogue Collins one of his party killed two elk."


March 14, 1806

"late in the evening Geo: Drewyer arrived with a party of the Clatsops who brought an indifferent Canoe, three hats and Some roots for Sale  we could not purchase the Canoe without giving more than our stock of merchandize would lisence us. "