26 LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 



timber, and very stony: in some of the valleys pretty good bunch-grass is found. The soil of 

 the valleys of the Yakima and its branches, though very limited in extent, is good enough to 

 make tolerable farms, if irrigated. The Indians raise excellent potatoes, but the cold nights 

 (the thermometer frequently standing below 32 at sunrise) and the shortness of the season, 

 would be great obstacles in the way of cultivation. We have found gold in this valley, but no 

 deposit sufficiently rich to justify working. The Indians are thus far perfectly friendly. I 

 have informed the chiefs of the probable passage of immigrants through their country, and of 

 Governor Stevens s approach. They have promised to be friendly to the immigrants, and extend 

 every assistance to them ; to prevent depredations on the part of their own people, and to refer 

 any complaints they may have against the immigrants to the Governor on his arrival ; but on no 

 account to retaliate, as I have told them that would not for a moment be allowed. 



I shall leave this place to-morrow for the north, and will endeavor to reach Fort Colville 

 from Mount Baker. 



While in the mountains myself, I sent one small party to the mouth of the Yakima and 

 another to the Dalles. The Yakima valley below this is wide, often destitute of grass, no tim 

 ber of any consequence, and a limited extent of soil that by irrigation could be made moderately 

 productive. On the trail to the Dalles the country is everywhere stony, barren, and worthless. 

 The valley of the Columbia, near the mouth of the Yakima, is a vast sage desert. I shall 

 strike it again somewhat farther north. On the road to Steilacoom, after having passed the 

 mountains, there are a few limited tracts of good land ; that on the sound, and for some miles 

 back, is a mere mass of gravel perfectly worthless. 



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



GEOKGE B. McCLELLAN, 

 Lieut. Eng. and Brevet Copt. U. 8. A., Commanding Expedition. 



Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 



NORTHERN PACIFIC KAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



Fort Benton, September 18, 1853. 



SIR: Since my letters of the 8th instant, transmitted by Dr. Evans, the geologist of the 

 expedition, very important changes have been made in the plan of continuing the survey west 

 ward, in consequence of the information brought by the arrival of Lieutenant Saxton. 



I was on my way to the Piegan camps to secure guides for the survey of the Marias Pass, and 

 to provide for permanent relations of peace with the Blackfeet, when Lieutenant Grover s 

 express overtook me, sixty-five miles from this point, with information that he met Lieutenant 

 Saxton just near the dividing ridge; that the road passed over by Lieutenant Saxton was in 

 many places, in consequence of timber, impracticable for wagons, and that he would be at Fort 

 Benton one day after the express, with much valuable information as to the routes west of the 

 mountains. I immediately determined to return, sending forward Mr. Stanley, the artist of the 

 expedition, with Hammel, the interpreter, and three voyageurs, to see the Indians and invite 

 them to Fort Benton. 



On my return, which was accomplished in less than twenty-five hours, I placed Mr. Lander s 

 party in camp on the Marias river, where it would be in position either to move on to* the 

 exploration of the Marias, or join, by running a side line, the main party as it entered Cadotte s 

 Pass. 



Lieutenant Donelson having informed me, by the express bringing Lieutenant Grover s letter, 

 that he should the next day move on with the whole party, in pursuance of my instructions, I 

 despatched early in the morning our Indian guide, to direct him to move forward the advance 

 party, that delay might not occur in the survey of the country, but to keep the supply train in 

 camp till my arrival, and on my arrival to meet me with Lieutenant Saxton for consultation. 



