The Journey's Journals
By the time Lewis and Clark returned from their expedition in 1806, nearly all of their supplies were exhausted. In fact, all they still had plenty of were two things: ammunition for their rifles and ink for their journals. This is proof of how important Lewis and Clark felt their journals were. Without them, after all, the trip would have very little meaning to anyone except themselves.
The following are just a few random samples taken, in unedited form, from the journals Lewis and Clark left behind. Though sometimes difficult to read due to misspellings and grammatical errors, the words come alive in the stories they tell.
December 25, 1805 - William Clark
At day light this morning we we[re] awoke by the discharge of the fire arm[s] of all our party & a Selute, Shouts and a Song which the whole party joined in under our windows, after which they retired to their rooms were chearfull all the morning. after brackfast we divided our Tobacco which amounted to 12 carrots one half of which we gave to the men of the party who used tobacco, and to those who doe not use it we make a present of a handkerchief. ...all the party Snugly fixed in their huts. I received a pres[e]nt of Capt. L. of a fleece hosrie [hosiery] Shirt Draws and Socks, a pr. Mockersons of Whitehouse a Small Indian basket of Gutherich, two Dozen white weazils tails of the Indian woman, & some black root of the Indians before their departure. The day proved Showerey wet and disagreeable.
we would have Spent this day the nativity of Christ in feasting, had we any thing either to raise our Sperits or even gratify our appetites, our Diner concisted of pore Elk, so much Spoiled that we eate it thro' mear necessity, Some Spoiled pounded fish and a fiew roots.
September 21, 1805 - William Clark
I collected a horse load of roots & 3 Sammon & sent R Fields with one Indian to meet Capt Lewis
... Village called the twisted hare [hair], ...
I am verry sick to day and puke which relive me
May 29, 1805 - Meriwether Lewis
Last night we were all allarmed by a large buffaloe Bull, which swam over from the opposite shore and coming along side of the white perogue, climbed over it to land, he then allarmed ran up the bank in full speed directly towards the fires, and was within 18 inches of the heads of some of the men who lay sleeping before the centinel could allarm him or make him change his course, still more alarmed, he now took his direction immediately towards our lodge, passing between 4 fires and within a few inches of the heads of one range of the men as they yet lay sleeping, when he came near the tent, my dog saved us by causing him to change his course a second time, which he did by turning a little to the right, and was quickly out of sight, leaving us by theis time all in an uproar with our guns in o(u)r hands, enquiring of each other the ca(u)se of the alarm, which after a few moments was explained by the centinel: we were happy to find no one hirt...
VIEWING THE JOURNALS
Taking a trip along the Lewis and Clark Trail is breathtaking, what with the clean air, the wondrous views and thrill of retracing their steps. But a visit to the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, where most of the original journals of Lewis and Clark are held, can be equally exciting. These were the actual notebooks that Lewis, Clark and other crewmembers wrote in during the two years-plus journey.
Because of the value placed on these journals and their delicate nature, they are rarely placed on display. And even when they are put on display, they remain behind glass, so you can't touch them, let alone flip through the pages. Still, if you're determined to see them with your own eyes, here's the basic information for the American Philosophical Society. Make sure to call first, as the journals may not be on display during the period you wish to visit.
Hours
The Library is open 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., Monday-Friday, except holidays. Please notify the Library at least 24 hours in advance of any visit.
Address
The American Philosohpical Society Library
105 South Fifth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19094-3387
215-440-3400
fax: 225-440-3423
Directions
The American Philosophical Society is located near the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Philosophical Hall, the society's original building, is located adjacent to Independence Hall, its entrance facing to the east on 5th Street. Library Hall faces Philosophical Hall across 5th Street. The entrance is on Library Street on the south side.
The SEPTA transit map displays all three train stations (30th Street, Suburban, and Market-East Stations) and includes all major subway, EI and bus routes in Center City.
By air: From Philadelphia International Airport, take any of SEPTA's regional rail lines into Center City to Market East Station (10th and Market). Market Street is one block north of Chestnut.
By train: Amtrak trains arrive at 30th Street Station. Take the Market-Frankford El into Center City to the corner of 5th and Market Street.
Parking: Garages are located at 4th and Ludlow (between Chestnut and Market, atop the Ritz Theater) and under Independence Mall (entered from 6th Street between Market and Chestnut). Street parking is at a premium.