What is the most notable thing that Jedediah Smith writes down in his Journal? "13 Jul 1827 – 3 Jul 1828 20th I went with the Trappers within a mile of the place where I struck the river on the last Apl. Above that there was no Beaver sign but considerable from the camp up to that place. I saw some indians on the opposite side of the river but they ran off. The river was quite rapid and the rushing of the water brought fresh to my remembrance the cascades of Mt. Joseph and the unpleasant times I had passed there when surrounded by the snow which continued falling. My horses freezing, my men discouraged and our utmost exertion necessary to keep from freezing to death. I then thought of the vanity of riches and of all those objects that lead men in the perilous paths of adventure. It seems that in times like those men return to reason and make the true estimate of things. They throw by the gaudy baubles of ambition and embrace the solid comforts of domestic life. But a few days of rest makes the sailor forget the storm and embark again on the perilous Ocean and I suppose that like him I would soon become weary of rest."

Question

What is the most notable thing that Jedediah Smith writes down in his Journal? "13 Jul 1827 – 3 Jul 1828 20th I went with the Trappers within a mile of the place where I struck the river on the last Apl. Above that there was no Beaver sign but considerable from the camp up to that place. I saw some indians on the opposite side of the river but they ran off. The river was quite rapid and the rushing of the water brought fresh to my remembrance the cascades of Mt. Joseph and the unpleasant times I had passed there when surrounded by the snow which continued falling. My horses freezing, my men discouraged and our utmost exertion necessary to keep from freezing to death. I then thought of the vanity of riches and of all those objects that lead men in the perilous paths of adventure. It seems that in times like those men return to reason and make the true estimate of things. They throw by the gaudy baubles of ambition and embrace the solid comforts of domestic life. But a few days of rest makes the sailor forget the storm and embark again on the perilous Ocean and I suppose that like him I would soon become weary of rest."

Answer 1

But a few days of rest makes the sailor forget the storm and embark again on the perilous Ocean and I suppose that like him I would soon become weary of rest."

Answer 2

The most notable thing that Jedediah Smith writes down in his journal is a reflection on his experiences while traveling with trappers in July 1827. In his entry, he mentions being near the place on the river where he had previously arrived in April of that year. He notes that there was no beaver sign above that particular spot but had seen some Indians on the opposite side of the river before they fled.

What stands out in this passage is Jedediah Smith's contemplation on his past hardships and the lessons he learned from them. He recalls the challenging times he faced while surrounded by snow near Mt. Joseph, with freezing horses and discouraged men. The rushing sound of the river brings back memories of those unpleasant experiences.

At this point, Smith meditates on the futility of pursuing wealth and other ambitious goals that often lead individuals into dangerous and risky situations. He acknowledges that in such perilous circumstances, people tend to realize the true value of things and prioritize the comfort and security of a domestic life over superficial objects of ambition.

However, Smith also recognizes the transient nature of human nature. Just as a brief period of rest makes a sailor forget the storm and venture out into the perilous ocean once again, he acknowledges that he may also become weary of rest and yearn for more adventure.

In summary, Jedediah Smith's most notable observation in this journal entry is his introspection on the ephemeral nature of ambition, the importance of domestic life, and his awareness of the cyclical desire for adventure that can arise even after periods of rest.