Out of Character: This map that evolved, is very interesting thanks to Napoleon's collateral damage. The Statue of Liberty was a gift of Friendship from France to the US about 1885. Civil war 1861 to 65 I think, but the War of Independence from British Dominion was only started in 1776 which is quite a recent event in our characters minds and leanings. For the US of America in1804 watching Napoleon turning Europe into a blood bath. Strange times.
Captain Lewis personally I want The Lewis/ Clark expedition to remain completely an American one. This French expedition, unknown to us, has already stolen some of our thunder by mapping areas that we have yet to reach. However will they be willing to abandon their expedition and return to Fort Jefferson on our say so when they are probably being funded by and have to answer to the French Government. We will need to do some thinking on this matter Meriweather and Wea......
Yes but Meriwether we can not force them to return to Fort Jefferson as we are now on friendly terms with the French. I am thinking that if they approve we take their best men along with us purely on a consultant basis as they will feel more useful with us than being holed up in a fort for weeks waiting for fresh supplies from their government. In addition we can use the extra hands. I certainly can with surveying and map drawing for instance. What say you two do I have your support?
That's fine with me William, but perhaps get them all to Co sign a document of intent that they merely act as consultants, guards, scouts, foragers, cooks, domestics even washing clothes and dishes.. and we should legitimise it with us, the US, actually paying them too. I'm sure Jefferson would not object; 1 to 4 Silver dollar a day, just like our Volunteers who get 3 to 6 dollars per day. They are well worth it given the mission. Our enlisted men get 2 to 4+ dollars per day. As Captains, we earn 10 dollars per day which is fine by me. Afterall, we're saving these Frenchies whose country is in total chaos. Watch that scoundrel Napoleon, he stinks of hubris, ambition, and much more..., so where better to get a new employer like here and now at say 1 to 4 dollars a day depending on rank, experience, skills, endurance, strength, ... I'll get Reed to be the clerk but you, me, Wea, Tous, even Lt Francis Monet should decide their worth I reckon, and pay grade. Jefferson has deep pockets. I know the money scores and legalese William. We have some latitude but your point is well made and appreciated. Thank you. That's my thinking for what it's worth, except to say with all the antipathy between England and France, and our 1776 war of independence , I figure France and our United States will become closer. I've heard other whispers, and something about a giant Statue gift even. I hope it's not too flamboyant but knowing the French.... We do indeed need to be polite and diplomatic with our frog eating friends. Even snails. True and made even worse by all the Garlic they use to excess.... It's a new world, a symphony would be nice.
By all means Meriwether you take care of all the legalese. Above all we want cohesion between us and them. The first sign of conflict, we break the partnership and they return to Fort Jefferson or wherever they want. It must be impressed on the Frenchies that this is a American expedition. I admit I have tried and like the French dish of Escargot (snails) but I insist that any French cooking done on this journey does not contain garlic. Are you all in agreeance.
Fair enough about the Garlic William and the legalese. I'll draw up the document with Reed's florid script. I'll ask Lt Francis to do a translation in French for transparency and Wea to check. Did you really eat snails?
All the Frenchmen decided to go to Fort Jefferson except Andre'. He is an experienced Mountain man and has offered to show us a route through the mountain passes. He doesn't want a title, just the right to keep any pelts that we or he kills. Bear skins and beaver skins sell for a fortune back east so he might be a wealthy man by journey's end.
Under Lt Monet's command the French left well supplied, and with letters, reports and copies of some more northerly maps to pass onto those in Fort Jefferson. Probably for the best all things considered. Sadly they had not found any northerly waterways, so they said? I'm happy to have Andre join us, he seems very capable.
Then it is up to the Lewis and Clark expedition to find this northern waterway for President Jefferson and the United States. I like Andre's racoon cap. Looks ideal for keeping the ears warm with winter almost on us. Being an expert trapper perhaps he will make one for each of us plus one for Wea's tiny bub.
Wea: We have been on this mountain for two weeks now. The snow has been falling steadily for days. Our food is gone. There are no animals to hunt. The roots are covered with snow. I'm not sure we will make it down the mountain. I have had the men eating their candles to fill their stomachs. Still we trudge on.
Wea this is your tribe's original home so as our guide I expect you can find us a way thru this rugged snow hit mountain and point us north west...
Meriwether the situation is getting dire. The men are exhausted, not far off starving. Wea says we go on or do we contemplate heading back to Fort Jefferson to wait out the winter.
What does Andre say? I'm not happy to put the men at risk. I'd prefer we back tracked to Fort Jefferson and restock supplies to make a fresh start over the Rockies in the Spring. We can draw up maps and send dispatches back to Washington too. Also we can see how things are at the Fort, how the French are faring and get the latest news. Will Napoleon fight the English? That's my take on things.