LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OP WAR. 21 



tality. In reference to the Blackfeet, whose country we are now about entering, I am assured 

 by Mr. Culbertson, my special agent for that tribe, that they will receive us with open arms, 

 and that no trouble need be apprehended. The necessary precautions will, of course, be taken to 

 secure against attacks and loss of animals, but I can see no reason to apprehend the slightest 

 trouble with any of the tribes to be met upon the route. 



The enclosed memorandum will give you a more full account of the details of the operations, 

 and the enclosed sketch of a railroad route certainly practicable, at a cost probably not exceeding 

 $40,000 per mile. It is certain that the two great key points of country are the valley of Mouse 

 river and the region of the Bois des Sioux. The Mouse river is erroneously given on all the 

 maps. It nowhere approaches the Missouri nearer than thirty or forty miles, and the pass 

 over the Coteau is so gradual, and the whole valley is so open, that the ascent is scarcely 

 observed. 



I must not fail particularly to advert to Lieutenant Donelson s excellent survey of the Mis 

 souri river, as high as the boat has been navigated the present season, some one hundred and 

 twenty miles above this point, and the numerous collections made by him on the route ; and to 

 a very extended reconnaissance of the White Earth river, and the Coteau de Missouri, during 

 which, in nine days, he passed over a distance of two hundred and thirty-five miles. 



A more detailed account will be given hereafter. I shall from Fort Benton make report on 

 the navigability of the Missouri, with suggestions for, and an estimate as to its improvement. 



T. S. Everett, Esq., the quartermaster and commissary clerk of the expedition, returns from 

 this point to Washington, and will call on you personally, to give you information which I 

 cannot embody in a report at this time. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

 Governor of Washington Territory. 



Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 



N. B. The memorandum I regret I cannot prepare in time, and shall have to refer you to 

 Mr. Everett for additional particulars which cannot be found in this brief letter. 



NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



Fort Benton, Upper Missouri. September 8 ; 1853. 



SIR: We left Fort Union on the 9th of August, and pursued the Milk river line, abandoning 

 the two lines contemplated in my letter of the 8th of August. The junction of the two parties 

 was made at the Big Muddy river, and resulted from my inability to furnish proper transport 

 ation and the requisite force to the two parties. The train moved forward under my charge 

 until the 24th of August, when with a small party, including Alexander Culbertson, Esq., the 

 special agent among the Blackfeet Indians, and accompanied by two select detached parties 

 under the respective directions of Lieut. Grover and Mr. Lander, I started in advance, and 

 arrived here on the 1st instant. 



We found that the Missouri is much out of place on all the maps, and the Milk river still 

 more so flowing nearly due west. Up to this point, we have found the country entirely 

 practicable for a railroad. Whichever pass in the mountains may be decided upon, the Milk 

 River valley will furnish a good approach. 



Dr. Evans, geologist of the expedition, arrived here on the 5th instant, having made a com 

 plete and satisfactory examination of &quot;Mauvaises Terres,&quot; the country south of the Yellow 

 stone from the Black hills to the Missouri river, and north of the Missouri, between the Milk 

 and Missouri rivers. 



