In the course of compilation, between 1810 and 1814, Clark must have
sent a redrawing of the route of Colter’s journey.[358] By way of
review, let it be remembered that Colter reached St. Louis in May of
1810. He called on Clark and evidently presented several sheets of
trapper map to him. This was the material which depicted his journey of
1807, and it seemed to be highly appreciated by Clark. That it was given
preference by Clark over the contemporary exploration of Zebulon M. Pike
simply substantiates the belief that Colter’s journey made a profound
impression upon Clark at that time.[359] On December 20, 1810, Clark
apparently sent the original Colter sheets, or properly redrawn copies
of them, to Nicholas Biddle. Clark also inserted, or superimposed, two
rivers upon the Colter drawing. They were Clarks Fork and Bighorn
rivers.
It is important to remember that Clark had full confidence in Colter’s
representation of his journey at this time, that is, December, 1810. The
following year Andrew Henry returned from his exploration of the Madison
and Snake river regions. He had seen only ordinary country. This report
seems to have destroyed Clark’s belief in Colter’s story of marvels. Not
wishing to deceive anyone by the delusions of a deranged trapper’s mind,
Clark apparently directed Samuel Lewis to retain Colter’s east plat,
that is, the Buffalo Bill country, but suppress the western section, the
Yellowstone Lake region. In lieu of Colter’s depiction of the western
loop of his figure eight Clark evidently sent the draft that now appears
on the Map of 1814.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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