52 LETTERS TO CAPT. GARDINER AND TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 



hunters and guides, and certain members of the scientific corps, without permission of the chief 

 of the expedition, or, in case of detachments, of the officer in charge of the detachment. 



No. 29. 



CAMP PIERCE, June 3, 1853. 



DEAR SIR: It is with great regret that I learn from your letter of this date, enclosing the 

 certificate of Dr. Suckley, the medical officer of the expedition, that in consequence of your 

 health you are obliged to ask to be relieved from duty with the expedition under my command. 



I have looked forward to your co-operation as a great element in the success of the expedi 

 tion, bringing as it would the very experience to the work in which the other officers associated 

 with us and myself are deficient. But I see no alternative, observing as I have done the state 

 of your health, with your application, and the certificate of Dr. Suckley before me, than 

 promptly to comply with your request. 



You may be sure I shall never forget the lively interest you have taken in the success of the 

 expedition, the exertion you have made to forward it, and your efficient assistance in making 

 the preparations for the field. You are accordingly relieved from the duty with the command, 

 and are directed to repair to Washington city and report for duty. 



[Unimportant paragraph omitted.] 



I will personally discharge the duties of quartermaster and commissary of the expedition, 

 and will sign the necessary papers whenever they shall be prepared. 



Truly your friend, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS, 



Governor of Washington Territory, in Command of Expedition. 

 Capt. J. W. T. GARDINER, 



First Dragoons, U. S. Army. 



NORTHERN PACIFIC KAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



Olympia, W. T., December 5, 1853, 



SIR : I have the honor to report my arrival at this place, and to submit the following state 

 ment of operations since my report from Fort Benton. Before entering upon the narrative, it 

 will be proper for me to state that I feel the greatest satisfaction at the complete success of the 

 exploration, and that the report will show an amount of work reflecting the highest credit upon 

 my associates. No disaster or untoward circumstance has marred the work. The parties have 

 reached the Columbia river in the highest spirits no man broken down by over-exertion or 

 unnecessary exposure. The three great western ranges have been crossed in the fall; no snow 

 whatever seen, except on the topmost peaks till the last days of October, and then only for a 

 few inches, passing away in two or three days. I can pronounce, with the greatest confidence, 

 the route to be eminently practicable ; and in so doing, I feel repaid for the great exertions I 

 have made, and the great anxiety which at times has almost overcome me, in preparing for and 

 conducting the exploration. I am confident that when our contributions in the way of general 

 geography, and in the development of the resources and character of the country passed over, 

 are given to the public, it will be conceded that a public advantage has accrued far outweigh 

 ing the expenditure, even should other railroad routes be finally determined on. Moreover, 

 the exploration has been a vital clement in the management of the Indian tribes, restraining 

 their predatory habits, and disposing them to rely upon the general government to guaranty to 

 them peace and protect them in their rights. 



In the narrative of operations which I shall now present, the several letters of instructions will 

 be referred to, and copies of the same given in an appendix ; and such results will be stated 

 as can be relied on, previous to a careful analysis and comparison of all the data in the office. 



