Toussaint Charbonneau – A Disliked Trapper-Trader
Toussaint Charbonneau, a name often whispered with a mix of intrigue and disdain, occupies a peculiar space in the annals of the American West. While his association with the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition has secured him a place in history, his reputation as a trapper, trader, and, more broadly, as a man, is far from flattering. This article delves into the life and times of Toussaint Charbonneau, exploring the factors that contributed to his less-than-stellar standing amongst his contemporaries.
Born on March 20, 1767, in Boucherville, Quebec, a community steeped in the traditions of exploration and the burgeoning fur trade, Toussaint Charbonneau’s early life was inextricably linked to the vast wilderness of North America. Boucherville, nestled near Montreal, served as a launching point for countless adventurers and entrepreneurs eager to exploit the continent’s rich natural resources. It was within this environment that Charbonneau’s destiny as a fur trapper and trader began to take shape.
For a time, the young Charbonneau found employment with the British-owned North West Company, a powerful entity that dominated the fur trade in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The North West Company’s influence stretched across vast territories, and its employees were often the first Europeans to venture into uncharted lands. However, Charbonneau’s tenure with the company was not without its controversies. The first documented mention of him paints a disturbing picture. In May 1795, John McDonell, a recorder for one of the North West expeditions, penned a scathing account of Charbonneau’s actions. McDonell described an incident at Manitou-a-banc end of the Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, where Toussaint Charbonneau allegedly committed a brutal act of rape upon a woman, an act for which McDonell believed he "highly deserved" the painful consequences he suffered. This initial glimpse into Charbonneau’s character casts a long shadow over his subsequent life and actions.
Leaving the direct employ of the North West Company, Toussaint Charbonneau gravitated towards the upper Missouri River region, a landscape inhabited by the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. By 1797, he had established himself amongst these communities, integrating himself into their way of life, a place that would become his permanent home. He operated as a free agent, trapping for various fur companies that dotted the region, working as a laborer, and occasionally serving as an interpreter, leveraging his knowledge of the Hidatsa language. It was during this period that Charbonneau entered into relationships with two Shoshone women, Sacagawea and Otter Woman, who had been captured by the Hidatsa in approximately 1800. The Hidatsa, in turn, sold the two women to Toussaint Charbonneau, effectively making them his wives.
The arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the upper Missouri River villages in October 1804 marked a turning point in Charbonneau’s life. Sacagawea, at the time a young woman of about 16, was pregnant with their first child. The expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was preparing to embark on a monumental journey across the continent, and they were actively seeking individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
Lewis and Clark’s initial impressions of Toussaint Charbonneau were far from glowing. Despite his years of living amongst the Hidatsa, his command of their language was reportedly weak, and he lacked the ability to speak English. However, the captains recognized the potential value of his wives, particularly Sacagawea, who possessed fluency in both Shoshone and Hidatsa. The Shoshone language was crucial for establishing communication and trade with the Shoshone tribes that inhabited the lands further west. With the presence of men within the expedition capable of translating Charbonneau’s French into English, Lewis and Clark made the pragmatic decision to hire him on November 4, 1804. He and his family then moved to Fort Mandan, the expedition’s winter encampment. During that winter, Toussaint and Sacagawea’s son, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, was born on February 11, 1805.
Even before the expedition departed, Charbonneau’s demanding nature became apparent. He attempted to dictate the terms of his employment, refusing to perform the duties typically assigned to enlisted men or stand regular guard. When Lewis and Clark refused to concede to his demands, Charbonneau threatened to withdraw from the expedition. The captains, initially unmoved, instructed him to leave the fort with his family. However, just four days later, Charbonneau relented, offering his apologies and rejoining the expedition’s ranks. He became one of only five individuals on the expedition who were not members of the military. Notably, when the expedition commenced, Otter Woman did not accompany the group.
Charbonneau’s performance during the arduous journey across the continent was a mixed bag. Meriwether Lewis, in a succinct assessment, deemed him "a man of no peculiar merit." His lack of boating skills proved particularly problematic on several occasions, leading to near-disasters. On April 13, 1805, just days after departing from Fort Mandan, his incompetence nearly caused a boat to capsize, an incident that was only averted by the intervention of another man. A month later, a similar incident occurred while he was at the helm of a boat laden with critical papers, books, instruments, medicines, and trade goods. Lewis, understandably incensed, described Charbonneau as "perhaps the timidest waterman in the world." Furthermore, William Clark found it necessary to reprimand him for shirking his responsibilities and intervened in a domestic dispute in which Charbonneau struck Sacagawea.
Despite his shortcomings, Charbonneau did make some contributions to the expedition’s success. He occasionally served as a cook, earning praise from several members of the party. His skills in negotiating with Native American tribes proved valuable in securing provisions and establishing peaceful relations. Additionally, his knowledge of French was helpful when the expedition encountered French trappers from Canada.
Throughout the journey, William Clark developed a strong affection for Toussaint and Sacagawea’s son, Jean-Baptiste, whom he affectionately nicknamed "Pomp." Despite the challenges they faced with Toussaint, Clark extended his fondness for the boy to the entire family. He offered to provide them with a new life in St. Louis, Missouri, after the expedition’s conclusion, including offering to provide for Jean-Baptiste’s education.
Upon the Corps’ return to the Mandan villages on August 14, 1806, Charbonneau received a payment of $500.33 for his 19 months of service. Initially, he declined Clark’s offer to relocate to St. Louis, preferring to remain amongst the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. However, by the fall of 1809, he had a change of heart, and he, Sacagawea, and Jean-Baptiste moved to Missouri, settling on a 320-acre land grant. Farming, however, did not suit Charbonneau’s temperament, and in the spring of 1811, he sold the farm and returned north with Sacagawea, leaving Jean-Baptiste in the care of William Clark.
Charbonneau then secured employment with Manuel Lisa’s Missouri Fur Company, stationed at Fort Manuel Lisa Trading Post in South Dakota. During this time, Sacagawea gave birth to a daughter named Lizette. Tragically, while Charbonneau was away on an expedition, Sacagawea succumbed to a disease referred to as "putrid fever" on December 22, 1812, at Fort Manuel. She was only about 24 years old. However, conflicting accounts exist, with Shoshone oral traditions claiming that Sacagawea eventually rejoined her people on the Wind River Reservation, where she lived a long life, passing away in 1884.
Following Sacagawea’s death, Toussaint formally relinquished custody of his son, Jean Baptiste, and daughter, Lisette, to William Clark. Records indicate that Clark legally adopted them in August 1813. Jean Baptiste Charbonneau went on to live a long and adventurous life, traveling to Europe and later serving as a guide for John Fremont and other mountain men. He died in 1866 at the age of 61 on the trail to a gold strike in Montana. Sadly, it is believed that Lizette did not survive childhood, as there are no subsequent records of her in Clark’s papers.
Charbonneau continued to work as a trapper and, from 1811 to 1838, also served as a translator for the Upper Missouri Agency’s Indian Bureau. It is likely that he secured this position with the assistance of William Clark, who served as the governor of the Missouri Territory in 1813. Upon Clark’s death, Charbonneau’s employment with the government abruptly ceased. He then resumed his life as a mountain man, working for the American Fur Company and accompanying Prince Maximillian’s expedition in 1833. Throughout his life, he is known to have had five Native American wives, all of whom were very young at the time of their marriages. His last known wife was a young Assiniboine girl, only 14 years old, when they married in 1837. He was over 70 years old at the time.
The historical record reveals that Toussaint Charbonneau was widely disliked by many of his contemporaries in the Missouri Territory, including those who served alongside him on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. His character flaws, his questionable actions, and his apparent lack of empathy contributed to his unfavorable reputation.
Toussaint Charbonneau died at Fort Mandan in 1843, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy. While his association with Sacagawea and the Lewis and Clark Expedition has ensured his place in history, his personal failings and questionable character have relegated him to the fringes of historical admiration. He remains a figure of both fascination and disapproval, a testament to the complexities of human nature and the multifaceted nature of the American West.