Le Borgne our great friend saw a great deal in favor of the North West White people; but he dispraised the Americans. M^r La Rocque's h pipe which was handed round that each might take a few Whiffs as a precious offering[.] He then presented to the Red Calf a Flag a Ceremonious Stem and some other things for which presents the Red Calf adopted M^r La Rocque as his father – and as such promised to show him respect and obedience ever after[.]

The Gros Ventres made the Corbeauxs (for so the Mountain Indians are called) smoke the pipe of friendship and laid before them a present consisting of two hundred Guns with one hundred rounds of Ammunition for each gun, a hundred Bushels of Indian Corn as a certain quantity of Merchandize such as Kettles, axes, clothes &^c. The Corbeaux in return brought two hundred and fifty horses parcels of Buffalo robes leather leggins, shirts and smocks &^c in great abundance. This exchange of civilities took place dancing. When the dancing was over the result was presents were divided among the individuals in proportions to the value of the articles which they had respectively furnished[.] to the Indian on the occasion This dance therefore is meant as a fair for traffick[.]

The Mandan Villages also exchanged also like civilities with the Corbeauxs[.]

It is incredible the great quantity of Merchandize which the Mississouri Indians have accumulated by constant intercourse with Indians from the vicinity of commercial Establishments[.]

I traded a few things with the Corbeauxs. Their beaver skins were badly dressed and split upon the back – a sign that they were not acquainted with the value of that favorite article. Afraid to ask too small a price they seemed averse from dealing with me – for they will have a White man pay four times the value of a thing or often let him go without it[.]

When

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