Thursday 4.  The day is clear and pleasant, though the wind is high from N.W.  We now packed up in different boxes a variety of articles for the president, which we shall send in the barge.  They consisted of a stuffed male and female antelope with their skeletons, a weasel, three squirrels from the Rocky mountains, the skeleton of the prairie wolf, those of the white and gray hare, a male and female blaireau, or burrowing dog of the prairie, with a skeleton of the female, two burrowing squirrels, a white weasel, and the skin of the louservia, the horns of the mountain ram, or big-horn, a pair of large elk horns, the horns and tail of the black-tailed deer, and a variety of skins, such as those of the red fox, white hare, martin, yellow bear obtained from the Sioux; also, a number of articles of Indian dress, among which was a buffaloe robe, representing a battle fought about eight years since between the Sioux and Ricaras against the Mandans and Minnetarees, in which the combatants are represented on horseback.  It has of late years excited much discussion to ascertain the period when the art of painting was first discovered:  how hopeless all researches of this kind are, is evident from the foregoing fact.  It is indebted for its origin to one of the strongest passions of the human heart; a wish to preserve the features of a departed friend, or the memory of some glorious exploit:  this inherits equally the bosoms of all men either civilized or savage.  Such sketches, rude and imperfect as they are, delineate the predominant character of the savage nations.  If they are peaceable and inoffensive, the drawings usually consist of local scenery, and their favourite diversions.  If the band are rude and ferocious, we observe tomahawks, scalpingknives, bows, arrows, and all the engines of destruction.  A Mandan bow and quiver of arrows; also some Ricara tobacco-seed and an ear of Mandan corn; to these were added a box of plants, another of insects, and three cases containing a burrowing squirrel; a prairie hen, and four magpies, all alive.

Friday, 5th.  Fair and pleasant, but the wind high from the northwest:  we were visited by a number of Mandans, and are occupied in loading our boats in order to proceed on our journey.

Saturday, 6th.  Another fine day with a gentle breeze from the south.  The Mandans continue to come to the fort; and in the course of the day informed us of the arrival of a party of Ricaras on the other side of the river.  We sent our interpreter to inquire into their reason for coming; and in the morning,

Sunday, 7th, he returned with a Ricara chief and three of his nation.  The chief, whose name is Kagohweto, or Brave Raven, brought a letter from Mr. Tabeau, mentioning the wish of the grand chiefs of the Ricaras to visit the president, and requesting permission for himself and four men to join our boat when it descends; to which we consented, as it will then be manned with fifteen hands and be able to defend itself against