66 LETTER TO LIEUTENANT GROVER. ORDERS. 



Monroe, Baptisto, and the two Piegans go by Cadotte s Pass. One of the Piegans has agreed 

 to accompany you to St. Mary s, and to return with you to Fort Benton. He is the more deli 

 cate Indian of the two, and the better Indian. He guided me to St. Mary s and is very trust 

 worthy. In reference to the service of Monroe, Baptiste, and the two Indians, I shall write a 

 special letter. 



Yours, &c., 



ISAAC I. STEVENS. 

 Mr. DOTY. 



No. 7. 



NORTHERN PACIFIC KAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



St. Mary s Valley, October 3, 1853. 



MY DEAR GROVER : We have had good success in coming through the mountains : fine 

 weather and no snow. All the parties were here on the 30th September, except that of Mr. 

 Tinkham, who is out examining a route from the valley of the Blackfeet river to the Jocko 

 river to see if the defile ending in Hell Grate cannot be avoided. Donelson left yesterday in. 

 charge of the principal party, and I shall move off in the morning, and hope to reach Fort Col- 

 ville in ten to twelve days. 



In your examination of the Dalles, I will thank you to examine as to the site of a suitable 

 depot for emigrant purposes, and for the continuation of the survey. It should be in the neigh 

 borhood of grass and wood, and as near as practicable to the head of steamboat navigation. I 

 have left a good store of provisions for you at this point, and shall make every exertion to send 

 here an express in November from the sound. I am decidedly of the opinion that you will 

 accomplish the undertaking of the dog train. 



Lieutenant Mullan is left in charge here, with Messrs. Adams and Burr as assistants, Sergeant 

 Simpson in charge of animals, and twelve men. He will assist you in every way in his power. 

 The doctors will also remain here some twenty days, with two men, and then go down the St. 

 Mary s river and the Columbia in a boat. 



I shall expect to see you in Olympia some time in February, and to congratulate you on the 

 success of your enterprise. 



Yours, &c,, 



ISAAC I. STEVENS. 



CAMP ST. MARY S VALLEY, 



Thirty-three Miles below St. Mary s Village, October 7, 1853 . 



Mr. Tinkham got in last evening, and starts on his examination to-morrow. He will reach 

 Fort Benton by the 20th instant, and is accompanied by a good Flathead guide. 



No. 9. 

 [ORDERS.] 



NORTHERN PACIFIC EAILROAD EXPLORATION AND SURVEY, 



Camp Washington, October 29, 1853. 



The chief of the exploration congratulates his associates upon the junction of the eastern and 

 western divisions on the banks of the Spokane river, and for the successful accomplishment of 

 the great object of their joint labors. To Captain McClellan, his officers and men, too much 

 credit cannot be ascribed for their indefatigable exertions, and the great ability of all kinds 

 brought to their division of the work. They can point with just pride to the determination of 

 two practicable passes in that most formidable barrier from the Mississippi to the Pacific, of the 



