Cultivating Friendship and Understanding

Cultivating Friendship and Understanding. . The First Council was the first official meeting between representatives of the United States government and an Indian tribe living west of the Mississippi River. The meeting occurred near this spot on August 3, 1804. , About 44 expedition members and 12 tribal members were at the Council. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark represented the United States. Oto chiefs and Missouri chiefs who were present represented their tribes. , Lewis was the official "spokesman" and his speech told of President Thomas Jefferson's hopes that the Indians would become strong U.S. allies. He told them about "the wishes of our government to Cultivate friendship and good understanding." Clark recorded these events in his journal. He called the location of the meeting "The Council Bluff." , Three men of Indian and French decent on the Expedition probably helped translate Lewis' speech. Another person who may have helped interpret was called Fairfong. He was a trader who came to the First Council with the Oto and Missouri men. , An important part of the ceremony was Lewis' presentation of peace medals to the Oto and Missouri chiefs. , Lewis' Newfoundland dog, Seaman, also was at the First Council. Lewis wrote that Seaman was "active, strong and docile." The dog even swam in the river and chased beavers out of their lodge so members of the Expedition could cook and eat them for dinner.