INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 44] 
making a total of five thousand six hundred dollars for the annual expense for keeping up the 
agency, &c., which, in my judgment, is the smallest possible amount with which the agency can 
be carried on. I have made the estimates the smallest possible, judging from what experience I 
have had among the Indians in this valley. With regard to the remaining items referred to in 
your letter, I will report in my next communication, as there are points which need more consid- 
eration than I have as yet had time to devote to them. 
Truly, your obedient servant, 
J. MULLAN, 
Lieutenant U. S. Army. 
Governor I. I. Srevens, 
In Command of N. P. Railroad Survey, Sc. 
It seems to me that the supply for the agency in this valley might be supplied by steamboat 
navigation up the Missouri to Fort Benton, thence across the mountains to this point. I will be 
able, however, to report more in detail on this point on my return from Fort Benton. 
J. MULLAN. 
41. ReEporRTS OF MR. JAMES DOTY ON THE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE BLACKFOOT NATION. 
Fort Benton, December 28, 1853. 
Dear Sir: Enclosed you have additional receipts, omitted to be sent by Mr. 'Tinkham, for 
quartermaster’s property in my hands. 
As requested in your letter of October 3, 1853, I send herewith a report upon those particu- 
lars concerning the Blackfoot nation which you directed me to examine. It includes the plan 
of a farm and list of agricultural instruments, and is accompanied by a rough draught of the 
ageucy buildings deemed necessary. 
By the enclosed thermometrical register, since October Ist, you will perceive that we have 
had no cold weather, no snow, and indeed no winter. Can the same be said of the entrance to 
the South Pass? 
We are passing the winter comfortably if not pleasantly. The men have conducted them- 
elves in all respects in a praiseworthy manner. 
Rations will hold out tolerably well, with the exception of flour and coffee. In case an express 
is sent to this point, I would suggest that a pack-horse or two be also sent, loaded with flour, 
coffee, and beans. 
Early in this month I procured, without cost, about 1,000 pounds of fresh meat by sending 
out pack-horses with the Indian hunters, so there is no danger of starvation. The oxen, horses, 
and mules are in first-rate condition; many of them are fat. 
I am happy to inform you that the three horses reported to you as stolen have been returned ; 
so that up to date not an animal in my charge has been lost. 
The recovery of these horses is worthy of notice, as indicating, in the Indians who returned 
them, an honesty, and moral as well as physical courage, seldom seen among white men, and 
never expected of Indians. 
On the 1st of November, six Pend d’Oreille Indians came to this post and delivered up all 
the horses that were stolen. It appears that they were taken by two young Pend d’Oreilles, and 
run to the Pend d’Oreille camp, then hunting beyond the Muscle Shell, under the command of 
the chief of that nation, “Alexander.” The horses were recognised by the stamps as belonging 
to the whites, and the young men confessed having stolen them at this post. A council was held, 
and it was determined that it was a great sin to steal horses from white men who were friendly 
to them; that the wishes of the “Great Soldier Chief,” who had been at the St. Mary’s, were 
known to them, and they had promised compliance with them; that stealing these horses would 
56 f 
