INSTRUCTIONS TO LIEUTENANT DONELSON. 35 



noting particularly the general quality of the soil, the forest trees, grasses, quality of water, 

 and practicability of the route for the passage of wagon trains. With the barometer you will 

 make the best profile the time will allow of the route you pass over, and such facts as your 

 limited means will allow, as to the feasibility of the route for a railroad. 



But the great duty which I place in your hands, is to carry from me a message of the Great 

 Father to the Flatheads. Assure them that the Great Father appreciates their services and 

 understands their merits ; that he will hereafter protect them from the incursions of the Black- 

 feet, and other Indians east of the mountains, and make them live as friends; that he will send 

 to them, each year, certain articles which they most need; and that a faithful and intelligent 

 agent shall live among them. 



Speak of your own duties, and of your occupation of the St. Mary s post. I want to meet the 

 prominent Flathead chiefs and braves at the St. Mary s village, at the close of the present 

 month ; and I rely on your energy and tact to induce them to accompany you to that point. 



It is my determination to bring the tribes north of the Missouri, and those west of the mount 

 ains, into a general council at this point next year, and to make a lasting peace between all 

 the tribes of Indians not included in previous arrangements. Dwell on this in the Flathead 

 camp. 



You understand well the general character of the Flatheads, the best Indians of the mount 

 ains or the plains. Honest, brave, docile, they need only encouragement to become good citi 

 zens. They are Christians ; and we are assured by the good Father De Smet that they live 

 up to the Christian code. 



Dwell on the good Father, and say that his words in their favor have reached the Great Father 

 and made all good men their friends. 



I want to build up anew the village of St. Mary s. Let the Flatheads understand I am their 

 friend one who will join hands with former friends for their good. No labors will be more 

 sweet than those which will enable me to place in permanent homes, in that beautiful valley, 

 these interesting children of the mountains. 



Truly yours, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS, 

 Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Exploration. 



Lieut. J. MULLAX, JR., 



1st Artillery, United Stales Army. 



No. 7. 



FORT BENTON, September 7, 1853. 



DEAR DONELSON : I am satisfied you should take the advance with the odometer party, a baro 

 meter, a sextant, two wagons, twenty to twenty-five men, and examine carefully the approaches 

 to Cadotte s Pass. The country, and particularly the river crossings, the plateau east of the 

 Teton to the Missouri, and from the same plateau to the plateau between the Sun river and 

 the next considerable tributary of the Missouri, will especially require careful examination. On 

 leaving the Sun river to reach the base of the first dividing ridge, several streams are crossed, and 

 it is probable a wide range of country should be taken. It is probable you will be obliged to 

 halt every alternate day in order to do the side work. The detached parties for this work should 

 not exceed three men. Two will often be sufficient. 



The whole train will reach you by the time you are at the base of the first dividing ridge, 

 and then the advanced party must be turned into a pioneer party to remove obstructions. 

 AVhatever reports are sent to me, I am now determined to push a wagon train through ; nor 

 shall a mule be packed, except for side work, till we reach the point where we are compelled to 

 unload our wagons. 



