INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 445 
had to facilities for communication with the head of navigation on the Missouri. The spring and 
fall are the most favorable periods to judge of the general nature of the soil, in the absence of 
chemical tests; but from such information as I have been able to acquire during the winter, and 
consulting the wishes of the Indians, I should consider a point on the Highwood near its mouth, 
or on the Sun river at its junction with the Missouri, favorable locations tor an agency and farm. 
There are two other localities that may be mentioned: the valley of Marias river, and the 
southern slope of the Bear’s Paw mountain. The former I have already examined, but of the 
latter I cannot speak with certainty until an examination is made in the spring; but I think they 
are neither of them equal to the localities first mentioned. 
It is of course necessary to have a supply of the best simple agricultural implements, and 
some person who thoroughly understands their use to instruct the Indians how to use them. As 
precept is of little value without example, it is proposed to employ a good practical farmer and 
laborers to assist him, who can the first year start a small farm and cultivate it well. This may 
be styled a seed farm, as all the cereals and roots adapted to a northern climate should be 
cultivated. The cereals that succeed, if any, will furnish the seed, and the vegetables will clearly 
indicate which of them can succeed in this soil and climate. If the experiment is successful, 
then the second year a large farm can be started, seeded with those grains and vegetables that 
have been proved, upon which all the Indians who choose can work under the direction of the 
farmer, with the preceding year’s example before them, and encouraged by a fair certainty that 
their labor will not be in vain. With all the Indians I am acquainted with, a failure in a first 
attempt is losing the whole battle; they can rarely be brought to the charge again. But, by 
adopting the above plan of farming, such a failure could not occur. The agricultural implements, 
means of transportation, &c., deemed necessary to carry on the business of the farm and agency 
the first year, are given below: 
3 yoke of oxen, with yokes; 2 heavy wagons; 6 log chains; 2 whip saws; 2 cross-cut saws; 
1 chest of carpenter’s tools; 2 dozen Collins’s axes and handles; $ dozen shovels; $ dozen spades ; 
2 steel breaking ploughs, fourteen-inch cut; 6 cast cross ploughs; 1 double harrow frame; 4 grain 
cradles and scythes; 1 dozen scythes and snaths; 1 dozen steel hoes; 1 dozen pitchforks; 1 
grindstone; 1 dozen scythe-stones. 
The second year would require an increase proportionate to the number of Indians disposed 
to work. 
In conclusion, I think, from the observations I have been able to make, that a treaty with 
these Indians and the establishment of an agency and farm in their country will do much towards 
changing them from a warlike and nomadic to a peaceable and agricultural nation. I trust that 
you may accomplish those objects at an early day. My desires as well as my duty prompt me 
to aid in their accomplishment to the extent of my ability. 
Hoping that the information contained in this somewhat hurried report may meet your wishes, 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
JAMES DOTY. 
Governor I. I. Stevens, 
Washington Territory. 
Fort Benton, December 29, 1853. 
Dear Sir: In accordance with instructions, I have performed one of the contemplated trips 
to the winter trading-posts. Starting from here on the 14th instant, I struck Marias river at the 
point where the road tothe Three Buttes crossed it. A large number of the Piegans were 
encamped at this point. Remaining here two days, I held a council with the chiefs and principal 
men, repeating to them, in substance, your speech at the council at the fort the day before your 
departure, and explaining the project of an agency and farm; with which they seemed much 
