N3835

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

The Sea Otter and Ermine Cape

The original sketch of Meriwether Lewis wearing a tippet, or cape, was done by the famous artist Charles de Saint-Memin after the captain had returned from the expedition. It was made by sewing together soft white pelts of ermine and the luxurious fur of otters. Lewis wrote that it was "the most eligant peice of Indian dress I ever saw." The magnificent garment had been a gift from the Shoshone Chief Cameahwait.

Another notable piece of Indian clothing also captured the captains' attention during their journey. While trading with the Chinooks in November of 1805, one of the chiefs had a robe made of sea otter skins. Clark wrote that it was "more butifull than any fur I had ever seen." Lewis must have agreed for each tried to trade for it. The chiel however, wanted Sacagawea's belt of blue beads. She was adamant that if she gave up the belt, she wanted something in retum. Either Lewis or Clark provided her with a coat of blue cloth. She handed over the belt of beads, and it was traded for the prized sea otter robe. Clark's journal fails to record which captain was the lucky one.