FROM FORT BENTON TO THE FLATHEAD CAMP, 301 
river there is a good, natural, almost level grade. Just below the mouth of the Spokane river, on 
the main Columbia, there are a number of rock islands scattered across the river, affording great 
facilities for a bridge site in the solid supports thus furnished for piers and abutments. These 
rock islands, stretched across the river, are found at several points between Fort Colville and the 
Dalles. Loaded wagons have been driven from the former mission of St. Mary’s to the Prune 
prairie, near the Horse Plain. They have also been driven from the Coeur d’Alene mission to 
the lower end of Lake Pend d’Oreille. Between these two points, a distance of about one hun- 
dred and sixty miles, wagons have not as yet passed. This part of the route, however, is feasi- 
ble, and could readily be opened. In case this latter is done, a wagon route would then be 
opened from Fort Owen to Wallah-Wallah, from whence diverge other roads to the Willamette 
and Dalles, and one across the Cascade mountains to Puget sound. 
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
GEORGE SUCKLEY. 
Governor Isaac IJ. Stevens, 
In Charge of N. P. Railroad Exploration, Se. 
24, REPoRT OF AN EXPLORATION FROM FORT BENTON TO THE FLATHEAD CAMP, BEYOND 
THE MUSCLE SHELL RIVER, AND THENCE BY THE SOUTHERN LITTLE BLACKFOOT RIVER TO 
THE ST. MARY’S VALLEY: BY LIEUTENANT JOHN MULLAN, U. S. A. 
CANTONMENT Stevens, Bitter Roor VALLEY, 
January 20, 1854. 
Srr: I have the honor to report that, in conformity to your letter of instruction, dated at Fort 
Benton, September 8, 1853, directing me, with a ‘select party, to proceed to the camp of the 
Flathead Indians, then on the Muscle Shell river, one hundred and ten miles southeast of the 
Missouri, and there procuring the most intelligent and reliable Flathead guides, to make my way 
to the St. Mary’s village, exploring the best pass to that point across the Rocky mountains from 
the headwaters of the Muscle Shell river,” I left Fort Benton on the morning of the 9th of Sep- 
tember, taking with me as a guide the “ White Brave,” a Blackfoot Indian, Mr. Rose, an employé 
of the American Fur Company, as interpreter, and Mr. Burr, to make a barometrical profile of 
the route travelled. In addition, there were three voyageurs and two Blackfeet Indians. My 
general course from Fort Benton to the Muscle Shell river lay in a direction south by east, by a 
very good road of four days’ journey, passing between the High Wood and Judith mountains— 
two of the principal spurs of the Belt mountains—crossing several prairie streams that empty 
their waters into the Missouri. 
In order to give a correct and detailed report of the general character of the route followed 
to the Muscle Shell river, thence westward across the Rocky mountains to the St. Mary’s 
village, I have deemed it necessary and proper to make such extracts from my daily journal as 
will tend to point out routes, streams, prominent landmarks, and the characteristic features of 
the country passed over; noting particularly the quality of the soils, the forest trees, grasses, 
quality and quantity of water, and the practicability of the route for wagon trains; and such facts 
as my limited means allowed of to show the feasibility of the route for a railroad, as well as all 
others of general interest. 
September 9, 1853.—All preparations having been made for our departure at the camp of the 
main train of the expedition, then on the Teton or Tansey river, we proceeded to Fort Benton, 
four miles distant, to procure certain Indian presents which we might need on the journey, and to 
take a farewell leave of the gentlemen of the American Fur Company, whose well-known hospi- 
tality had been extended towards us, and which none could more than ourselves appreciate. 
Our route, for the distance of five hundred yards, lay down the left bank of the Missouri, when, 
