Giving To Receive

On November 17th, 1805, William Clark wrote:

at half past 1 oClock Capt. Lewis and his Party returned haveing around passd. Point Disapointment and Some distance on the main Ocian to the N W. Several Indians followed him & Soon after a canoe with wapto roots, & (Lickorish) boiled, which they gave as presents, in return for which we gave more than the worth to Satisfy them a bad practice to receive a present of Indians, as they are never Satisfied in return. (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 60)

Related pages:

Theft and Threats  |  Rules of Fort Clatsop  |  An Eye for an Eye?
Fear and Distrust of Indians  |  Giving To Receive  |  Declining Offers
Shrewd Dealers  |  Observations of Attitude Toward Trade  |  Slavery  |  Tribal Hospitality