24 LETTER FROM CAPTAIN MCCLELLAN TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 



Estimate for fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, $40,000. 



In addition to the above, I am satisfied that the Missouri can be navigated by steamers to 

 the falls above this place, and I would recommend an appropriation of $10,000 to test the ques 

 tion next year. The Indian Bureau needs a steamer exclusively for its own use. 



RECAPITULATION. 



For continuing the exploration and survey of a route for a railroad from the headwaters of 

 the Mississippi to Puget sound, including the thorough examination of the passes of the mount 

 ains during the winter, and including a steamer to determine the practicability of navigating 

 the Missouri river to the falls, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1854, $40,000. 



For continuing the survey of a route of a railroad from the headwaters of the Mississippi to 

 Puget sound, including an instrumental survey of the best mountain passes, for the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1855, $40,000. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

 Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Exploration and Survey. 



Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 



NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



Fort Benton, Upper Missouri, September 8, 1853. 



SIR: I have to request that $10,000 still remaining in the treasury, of the sum allotted to 

 me from the appropriation for the survey of the several routes for a railroad from the Missis 

 sippi river to the Pacific, be drawn out and placed on deposit, subject to my order, with the 

 Treasurer of the United States. 



In a report of this date, I have made estimates for continuing the survey the present year, 

 and have recommended that an appropriation of $40,000 be asked of Congress. I will earn 

 estly request that, from existing appropriations legitimately applicable to such a purpose, a 

 portion of this sum be drawn out and placed on deposit with the Treasurer of the United States, 

 subject to my order, and that I be advised of the action of the department at the earliest prac 

 ticable period. Communications should be sent tp me at Olympia, Washington Territory. 



I regret I cannot go into more details at this time. But at this moment I feel that I must throw 

 my energies into the almost herculean task before me, and send in careful estimates on reaching 

 Puget sound. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS, 



Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Exploration. 

 Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 



CAMP AT KETETAS, ON YAKIMA RIVER, 



September 18, 1853. 



SIR: I have the honor to report that, in consequence of the great detentions caused by the 

 miserable quality of the animals and pack-saddles with which I was provided, and the difficult 

 nature of the country through which we have passed, I was unable to reach the valley of the 

 Wenass (a branch of the Yakima) until August 20. Hearing, from what seemed good 

 authority, that there were numbers of government mules at Steilacoom, and that the trip could 

 be made in five days, I at once sent in my pack-horses to be exchanged, and to bring out 

 provisions to enable me to start from here with three months supplies ; intending to occupy 

 myself, in the meanwhile, in examining the passes near Regnier. On my return from the 



