On July 30, the Lewis and Clark expedition arrived at the bluff where Fort Atkinson would be built less than two decades later. Clark called Council Bluff a handsomely elevated place well suited for a fort to command the country and river, with low bottomland above high water and a site under the hill for houses to trade with Native people. Four days later, Oto Indians from a village along the Platte River came to the camp for a council, and Captain Clark prepared small presents for them and a package with a medal for the Grand Chief, then gathered them under an awning made from the main sail and delivered a long speech about the expedition, the works of the government, advice to them, and directions for how they were to conduct themselves.