History of the city of Omaha, Nebraska, Part 5

Author: Savage, James Woodruff, 1826-1890; Bell, John T. (John Thomas), b. 1842, joint author; Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1020

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WHEREAS, The government of France has ceded the same to the United States by a treaty duly ratified, and bearing date the 30th of April, in the present year, and the possession of said colony and province is now in the United States, according to the tenor of the last-mentioned treaty ; and,

WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States, on the 31st day of October, in the present year, did enact that until the expiration of the session

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAIL.

of Congress then sitting, (unless provisions for the temporary government of the said territo- ries be sooner made by Congress), all the military, civil and judicial powers, exercised by the then existing government of the same, shall be vested in such person or persons, and shall be exercised in such manner, as the President of the United States shall direct, for the maintaining and pro- tecting the inhabitants of Louisiana in the free en- joyment of their liberty, property and religion: and the President of the United States has, by his commission, bearing date the same 31st day of October, vested me with all the powers, and charged me with the several duties heretofore held and exercised by the Governor-General and Intendant of the Province ;

I have, therefore, thought fit to issue this my proclamation, making known the premises, and to declare that the government heretofore exercised over the said province of Louisiana, as well under the authority of Spain, as of the French Republic, has ceased; and that of the United States of Amer- ica is established over the same; that the inhabi- tants thereof will be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible, according to the principles of the Fed- eral Constitution, to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of the United States; that in the meantime they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property and the religion which they profess; that all laws and municipal regulations which were in existence at the cessation of the late government, remain in full force; and all civil officers charged with their execution, except those whose powers have been specially vested in me, and except also such offi- cers as have been entrusted with the collection of the revenue, are continued in their functions dur- ing the pleasure of the governor for the time being, or until provision shall otherwise be made.

And 1 do hereby exhort and enjoin all the inhab- itants and other persons within the said province, to be faithful and true in their allegiance to the United States, and obedient to the laws and authorities of the same, under full assurance that their just rights will be under the guardianship of the United States, and will be maintained from all force or violence from without or within.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

Given at the City of New Orleans, the 20th day of December, 1803, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twenty-eighth.

WM. C. C. CLAIBORNE.

ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA. Fellow Citizens of Louisiana :

On the great and interesting event now finally consummated-an event so advantageous to your- selves and so glorious to United America, I can- not forbear offering you my warmest congratula- tions. The wise policy of the Consul of France has, by the cession of Louisiana to the United States, secured to you a connection beyond the reach of change, and to your posterity the sure inheritance of Freedom. The American people receive you as brothers: and will hasten to extend to you a participation in those inestimable rights which have formed the basis of their own unex- ampled prosperity. Under the auspices of the American government you may confidently rely upon the security of your liberty, your property, and the religion of your choice. You may with equal certainty, rest assured that your commerce will be promoted and your agricniture cherished : in a word, that your true interests will be among the primary objects of our National Legislature. In return for these benefits the United States will be amply remunerated, if your growing attach- ment to the Constitution of our country, and your veneration for the principles on which it is founded be duly proportioned to the blessings which they will confer. Among your first duties. therefore, you should cultivate with assiduity among yourselves the advancement of political information: you should guide the rising genera- tion in the paths of republican economy and vir- tue; you should encourage literature, for without the advantages of education your descendants will be unable to appreciate the intrinsic worth of the government transmitted to them.

As for myself, fellow citizens, accept a sincere assurance that, during my continuance in the sit- uation in which the President of the United States has been pleased to place me, every exertion will be made on my part to foster your internal hap- piness and forward your general welfare, for it is only by such means that I can secure to myself the approbation of those great and just men who preside in the councils of the nation.

WM. C. C. CLAIBORNE.

New Orleans, December 20, 1803.

The proceedings which thus culminated in transferring to the United States so large and fertile a tract gave general, though not unmixed satisfaction to the country. The party known as federalists opposed it. Not- withstanding this, there has seldom been a transaction of bargain and sale in which

FARNAM STREET FROM SIXTEENTH STREET EAST-1866.

FARNAM STREET FROM SIXTEENTH STREET EAST-1889.

A REAL ESTATE DEAL SATISFACTORY TO BOTH PARTIES.

both parties were so well satisfied at its con- clusion. Bonaparte presented Marbois, his factor, with the sum of nearly forty thousand dollars as his commission upon the negotia- tion; remarking that sixty millions of francs was no small price for a province of which he had never taken possession, and which he might not be able to retain twenty-four hours. Nor was his cause for self-gratu- lation due alone to the amount of the pur- chase money. He saw a blow at England in the transfer. " This accession of territory," said he, " strengthens forever the power of the I'nited States, and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will sooner or later humble her pride." It is a singular fact, that the British government expressed its approval of the cession. Whether Eng- land's approval was sincere or assumed for the occasion matters little. It is a fact that the whole civilized world either openly rejoiced or sullenly acquiesced in it, except. as has been already stated. the irreconcilable

remnant of the Federalist party who, from the first rumor of the purchase to the voting of the last dollar necessary to complete it, opposed the acquisition. The majority ad- mitted that they could see no good in any measure set on foot or advocated by Jeffer- son; some honestly deplored any expansion of our territory; some disbelieved in the alleged value of the purchase; and some, Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, among the number, foresaw in the enlargement of the slave territory of the United States, the very disasters which, in fact, more than half a century thereafter, followed. The victorious followers of Jefferson, however, were jubi- lant. Trade revived in the West. Confidence in the future of the country was stronger than ever, and the general sentiment was expressed by a colored print of New Orleans, still occasionally to be seen, in which the American eagle with outstretched pinions hovered, with a scroll on which was written, "I'nder my wings every thing prospers."

CHAPTER IV.

THE LEWIS AND CLARKE EXPEDITION - COUNCIL, WITH THE INDIANS NEAR OMAHA-JOUR- VAL OF PATRICK GASS-THE MISSOURI AND AMERICAN FUR COMPANIES.

BY an act of Congress passed March 26, 1804, the territory ceded by France was divided into two portions. Under the name of Orleans. a territory was formed of the part lying south of the Mississippi territory, and of an east and west line to commence on the Mississippi River at the thirty-third degree of north latitude, and extending west to the boundary of the cession. The remain- der of the ceded lands, embracing, of course, what is now the State of Nebraska, was called the district of Louisiana, and became a part of the vast country known as the Indiana territory.

Statutes speedily followed establishing land offices, providing for ascertaining and adjusting the titles and claims to land within the territory, either under French or Spanish grants, directing the appointment of commissioners to decide summarily, according to justice and equity on all com- plete titles under such grants; to authorize General La Fayette to locate the eleven thousand five hundred and twenty acres already in recognition of his distinguished services, granted to him, in an unoccupied portion of the territory of Orleans. Pro- vision was also made to prevent the unlaw- ful location of pretended grants, and generally to encourage immigration into the valley of the Mississippi.

The time had come to put into execution what had long been a favorite scheme of .Jefferson's, namely, the scientific and thor- ough examination and exploration of the country west of the Mississippi, and a

report thereon by experienced and qualified men. Long before Jefferson became Presi- dent, and sixteen years before the purchase of Louisiana had been consummated, he had, while American Minister in Paris. pro- posed such an expedition.

There was, in 1787, sojourning in Paris a young man of thirty-six, born in Connecti- cut, and by choice a citizen of the world, whose short but remarkable career was dis- tinguished by zeal, activity, courage, honor and intelligence. IIis name was John Led- yard. He had been a student in Dartmouth College, a stroller among the Six Nations, a student of divinity, a sailor, a soldier, a corporal of marines under the renowned navigator, Captain Cook; at one time dis- appointed, ragged and penniless; at another. the honored and trusted associate of eminent professors and celebrated travelers. Ile had a manly form, a mild, but animated and expressive eye, perfect self-possession, a boldness not obtrusive, but showing a con- sciousness of his proper dignity, an inde- pendent spirit, and a glow of enthusiasm giving life to his conversation and his whole deportment. Ledyard had come to France to attempt a business arrangement in the fur trade on the northwest coast of Amer- ica; but was ready for any adventure, from an exploration of Alaska to an expedition to the heart of Africa. Jefferson met him just as his effort to establish his fur trade had failed, and proposed to him a land jour- ney through northern Europe and Kamt- schatka to the Pacific, and thence across the

THE LEWIS AND CLARKE EXPEDITION.

Rocky Mountains, and through the unknown regions of the northwestern territory, to what was then the United States. The con- sent of Russia having been obtained, the youthful explorer set out on his perilous trip, but before he had reached the confines of Kamtschatka, the Russian powers became suspicious, put an end to his journey, and compelled him to return. lIad it not been for his sudden and untimely death in 1788, he would undoubtedly have been offered in 1804, some responsible position in the explor- ing expedition organized in that year.

Still later, in 1792, Mr. Jefferson proposed to the American Philosophical Society, that an expedition to be supported by private subscriptions should be organized to explore the northwest territory as far as the Pacific coast. Meriwether Lewis, a young captain in the First Regiment of United States Infantry, who had formerly been private secretary to Mr. Jefferson, and M. Michaux, a noted French botanist, were employed to make the trip, and started on the expedition. Hardly, however, had they commenced their journey, when the French savan was recalled by a message from his minister at Washing- ton, and this attempt also, was rendered abortive.

But, on the 18th of January, 1803, prior to the actual completion of the Louisiana purchase, and when the negotiations began to show some probability of success, Mr. Jefferson, then President, in a confidential message to Congress, recommended that a certain act establishing trading houses among the Indians (which was then about to expire by limitation), be not only con- tinued, but extended to the tribes dwelling on the Mississippi River. He also proposed that a party of explorers should be organ- ized, and sent up to the sources of the Missouri, and thence to the Pacific. Congress approved the suggestion, and made the necessary appropriation. Captain Lewis was, at his own request, detailed to command the expedition, and First Lieutenant Wil-

liam Clarke, a brother of George Rogers Clarke, was subsequently detailed to accom- pany him. It was an expedition of discovery and inquiry. Its instructions, which were prepared by President Jefferson himself, . were to notice and detail the geography and character of the country, to enter into nego- tiations with the Indians for commerce, and to describe their habits, characteristics and history.

The names of those who composed this celebrated party are worthy of being held in remembrance. They were: Meriwether Lewis, captain; William Clarke, first lieu- tenant; John Ordway, Nathaniel Prior and Patrick Gass, sergeants ; Charles Floyd, William Bratton, John Colter, John Collins, Pierre Crozatte, Robert Frazier, Joseph Fields, George Gibson, Silas Goodrich, Hugh Hall, Richard Worthington, Thomas P. Howard, Peter Wiser, John Baptiste Le Page, Frances Labinche, Hugh McNeal, John Potts, John Shields, George Shannon, John B. Thompson, William Werner, Alex- ander Willard, Richard Windsor, Joseph Whitehouse, Jolm Newman, privates; George Drulyard and Toussaint Chabono, interpre- ters; Chabono's wife, a Snake squaw and her child, and York, a colored servant.

The party entered the Missouri in boats on the 4th day of May, 1804. In the sum- mer of the following year they crossed the Rocky Mountains; and on the 15th of November, 1805, they landed at Cape Disap- pointment, having passed down the Lewis River (now known as Snake River) to its junction with the Columbia, and thence down the last mentioned river to its mouth.

Wintering at Fort Clatsop, on the left bank of the Columbia, they set their faces homeward in the spring, and reached St. Louis on the 23d of September, 1806, after a sojourn in the wilderness of two years and three months. It furnished more particu- lar and reliable information of the region between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean than had ever before been accessible.

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.

Many editions of their report of the expe- dition were published, and also the diary or journal of Sergeant Patrick Gass. The success of the undertaking, in the face of peril and hardship, was considered by Con- gress deserving of special reward. By an act passed in March, of the year following their return, warrants for sixteen hundred aeres of land each were given to Capt. Lewis and Lieut. Clarke; and warrants for three hundred and twenty acres to each of those mentioned above as composing the expedi- tion, with the single exception of the negro York, who was not recognized in the distri- bution of rewards. These warrants were located on the west side of the Mississippi River, or were to be received at two dollars per acre for any such lands. Extra pay, double the regular amount, was voted to all for the entire time occupied in the expedi- tion.

They passed up the Missouri River in the month of July, 1804. An account in full detail, and nearly their own language, of their voyage in the vicinity of the City of Omaha, will not be found devoid of interest:

"On the 11th of July they landed on a >and island opposite the River Nemaha, where they remained a day for the purpose of taking lunar observations and refreshing the party. They had now ascended the Missouri to the distance of about 480 miles. The Nemaha empties itself into the Missouri from the south, and is eighty yards wide at the confluence, which is in latitude 39 deg. 55 min. 56 sec. Captain Clarke ascended it in the pirogue about two miles, to the mouth of a small creek on the lower side. On going ashore, he found in the level plain sev- eral artificial mounds or graves, and on the adjoining hills others of a larger size. This appearance indicates sufficiently the former population of this country, these mounds being certainly intended as tombs, the In- dians of the Missouri still preserving the custom of interring the dead on high ground.

From the top of the highest mound a delightful prospect presented itself. The level and extensive meadows watered by the Nemaha, and enlivened by the few trees and shrubs skirting the borders of the river and its tributary streams; the lowland of the Missouri covered with undulating grass, nearly five feet high, gradually rising into a second plain, where rich weeds and flowers are interspersed with copses of the Osage plum; farther back were seen small groves of trees, an abundance of grapes, the wild cherry of the Missouri, resembling our own but larger, and growing on a small bush; and the choke-cherry, which was observed for the first time.

"On the 14th, elk were seen for the first time. They passed the Nishnahbatona and the Little Nemaha Rivers, and found the former to be only three hundred yards from the Missouri, at the distance of twelve miles from its mouth. Farther on they reached an island to the northi, near which the banks overflow; while on the south, hills project over the river in the form of high cliffs. At one point a part of the cliff, nearly three- fourths of a mile in length and two hundred feet in height, had fallen into the river. On the 20th they passed a creek called by the French l'Eau qui Pleure, or the Weeping Water."

They reached the great river Platte on the 21st, and it is thus described: "The highlands, which had accompanied us on the south for the last eight or ten miles, stopped at about three-quarters of a mile from the entrance of the Platte. Captains Lewis and Clarke ascended the river in a pirogue for about one mile, and found the current very rapid, rolling over sands, and divided into a number of channels, none of which are deeper than five or six feet. One of our Frenehmen, who spent two winters on it, says that it spreads much more at some distance from the mouth; that its depth is generally not more than five or six feet; that there are many small islands scattered

COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS NEAR OMAHA.

through it; and that, from its rapidity and quantity of its sand, it cannot be navigated by boats or pirogues, though the Indians pass it in small flat canoes made of hides; that the Saline or Salt River, which in some seasons is too brackish to be drank, falls into it from the south, about thirty miles up; and a little above it, Elkhorn River from the north, running nearly parallel with the Missouri. The river is, in fact, much more rapid than the Missouri, the bed of which it fills with moving sands, and drives the current on the northern shore, on which it is constantly encroaching. At its junction the Platte is about six hundred yards wide, and the same number of miles from the Mississippi. With much difficulty we worked round the sand bars near the mouth, and came to the above point, having made fifteen miles.

"Our camp is, by observation, in latitude 41 deg. 3:11 sec. Immediately behind it is a plain about five miles wide, one half covered with wood and the other dry and elevated. The low grounds on the south, and near the junction of the two rivers. are rich, but subject to be overflowed. Farther up the banks are higher, and oppo- site our camp the first hills approach the river, and are covered with timber, such as oak, walnut and elm. The intermediate country is watered by the Papillion, or Butterfly Creek, of about eighteen yards wide, and three miles from the Platte: on the north are high open plains and prairies, and at nine miles from the Platte, the Mos- eheto Creek and two or three small willow islands. We stayed here several days, during which we dried provisions, made new oars, and prepared our dispatches and maps of the country we had passed, for the President of the United States, to whom we intend to send them by a pirogue from this place. The hunters have found game scarce in this neighborhood ; they have seen deer, turkeys and grouse; we have also an abundance of ripe grapes, and one of

our men caught a white catfish, the eyes of which were small and its tail resembling that of a dolphin.

" On the 29th they passed the spot where the Ayauway Indians, a branch of the Ottoes, once lived, and who had emigrated from this place to the River Des Moines. 'Our hunter brought to us in the evening,' con- tinues the narrative, 'a Missouri Indian, whom he had found with two others, dress- ing an elk; they were perfectly friendly, gave him some of the meat, and one of them agreed to accompany him to the boat. He is one of the few remaining Missouris who live with the Ottoes; he belongs to a small party whose camp is four miles from the river; and he says that the body of the nation is now hunting buffalo in the plains. lle appeared quite sprightly, and his lan- guage resembled the Osage, particularly in his calling a chief inca. We sent him back with one of our party the next morning, with an invitation to meet us above on the river, and then proceeded.

" July 30. We went early in the morning three and a quarter miles, and encamped on the south, in order to wait for the Ottoes. The land here consists of a plain, above the high water level, the soil of which is fertile, and covered with a grass from five to eight feet high, interspersed with copses of large plums, and a currant like those of the United States. * Back of this plain is a woody ridge about seventy feet above it, at the edge of which we formed our camp. This ridge separates the lower from the higher prairie, of a good quality, with grass ten or twelve inches in height, and extending back about a mile to another elevation of eighty or ninety feet, beyond which is one con- tinued plain. Near our camp we enjoy from the bluffs a most beautiful view of the river and the adjoining country. At a distance, varying from four to ten miles, and of a height between seventy and three hundred feet, two parallel ranges of highland afford a passage to the Missouri, which enriches

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAILA.

the low grounds between them. In its winding course it nourishes the willow islands, the scattered cottonwood, elm, syca- more, linn, and ash, and the groves are interspersed with hickory, walnut, coffeenut, and oak.

"July 31. The meridian altitude of this day made the latitude of our camp 41 deg., 18 min., 14 sec. One of our men brought in yesterday an animal, called by the Pawnees chacartoosh, and by the French, blaireau, or badger."

The narrative continues: "We waited with much anxiety the return of our mes- senger to the Ottoes. The men whom we despatched to our last encampment returned without having seen any appearance of its having been visited. Our horses, too, had strayed; but we were so fortunate as to recover them at the distance of twelve miles. Our apprehensions were at length relieved by the arrival of a party of about fourteen Ottoes and Missouri Indians, who came at sunset, on the 2d of August, accompanied by a Frenchman who resided among them, and interpreted for us. Captains Lewis and Clarke went out to meet them, and told them that we would hold a council in the morn- ing. In the meantime we sent them some roasted meat, pork, flour and meal ; in return for which they made us a present of water- melons. We learned that our man Liberte had set out from their camp a day before them; we were in hopes that he had fatigued his horse, or lost himself in the woods, and would soon return; but we never saw him again.

" The next morning the Indians, with their six chiefs, were all assembled under an awning formed with the mainsail, in presence of our party, paraded for the occasion. A speech was then made, announcing to them the change in the government, our promises of protection, and advice as to their future conduct. All the six chiefs replied to our speech, each in his turn, according to rank. They expressed their joy at the change in

the government; their hopes that we would recommend them to their Great Father (the. President), that they might obtain trade and necessaries; they wanted arms as well for hunting as for defence, and asked our mediation between them and the Mahas. with whom they are now at war. We promised to do so, and wished some of them to accompany us to that nation, which they declined, for fear of being killed by them. We then proceeded to distribute our presents. The grand chief of the nation not being of the party, we sent him a flag, a medal, and some ornaments for clothing. To the six chiefs who were present, we gave a medal of the second grade to one Ottoe chief and one Missouri chief; a medal of the third grade to two inferior chiefs of each nation: the customary mode of recognizing a chief being to place a medal round his neck, which is considered among his tribe as a proof of his consideration abroad. Each of these medals was accompanied by a present of paint, garters, and cloth ornaments of dress; and to this we added a canister of powder, a bottle of whisky, and a few presents to the whole, which appeared to make them perfectly satisfied. The air-gun, too, was fired, and astonished them greatly. The absent grand chief was an Ottoe, named Wealırushhah. which, in English, degenerates into Little Thief. The two principal chieftains present were Shongotongo, or Big Ilorse, and Wethea, or Hospitality; also Shosguscan, or White Horse, an Ottoe; the first an Ottoe. the second a Missouri. The incidents just related induced us to give to this place the name of the Council Bluffs; the situation of it is exceedingly favorable for a fort and trading factory, as the soil is well caleulated for bricks, and there is an abundance of wood in the neighborhood, and the air being pure and healthy. It is also central to the chief resorts of the Indians: one day's jour- ney to the Ottoes; one and a half to the Great Pawnees; two days from the Mahas; two and a quarter from the Pawnee Loups'

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History of the city of Omaha, Nebraska, Part 5

Author: Savage, James Woodruff, 1826-1890; Bell, John T. (John Thomas), b. 1842, joint author; Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1894 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Savage, James Woodruff, 1826-1890; Bell, John T. (John Thomas), b. 1842, joint author; Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1020