618 LETTER TO A. W. TINKHAM. 



The Yakima Indians on your route are civil and obliging, arid their chiefs, Tias, Caroni-ach, 

 Ska-loo, and Ouhae, are very friendly. Pu-pu-mux-mux will, I think, be of great assistance to 

 you, and will accompany you, I have no doubt, a part of the way. His influence over the In 

 dians is very great, and he will be able to secure good guides, and keep down false reports. Say 

 to him I earnestly desire him to accompany you. He has many beef-cattle. It would be well 

 to have driven one or two with your party, to the farthest point they can reach ; then kill them, 

 pack what you can, and cache the rest; you have something to eat in case of a reverse. Indians 

 should be got to drive them. You ought to have one or two Indians for herders. Whilst I am 

 confident you will go through without difficulty, I wish every precaution taken to guard against 

 reverses, so that no suffering shall be experienced by yourself or any member of your party. 

 You ought to have snow-shoes. 



You will, however, proceed with extreme caution and make arrangements at the last Indian 

 village for a depot of provisions, to fall back upon in case of a sudden fall of snow, compelling 

 you to pause for some days ; or in case you be satisfied that the route is impassable, and that, 

 contrary to my confident belief and expectation, it is absolutely necessary that you return to 

 Wallah- Wallah. Even ihis fact will be of great consequence, and will show there are greater 

 difficulties to be encountered than we now look forward to. Provisions you will be able to get 

 of Mr. Pambrun; but it may be you can do better as to procuring beef with Bomfbrd and Brook, 

 or with Pu-pu-mux-mux. I should prefer that you get all you can of Pu-pu-mux-mux. 



On your route you will make your examinations with your usual care, noting everything of 

 importance pertaining both to rail and wagon roads; and if your barometer is not broken, con 

 tinuing your barometric profile. In the postscript to this letter I will give the principal facts as 

 regards the western slope of the Cascades, and add a sketch. 



The route from Wallah-Wallah to this point by the Columbia and the Cowlitz rivers is a long 

 and somewhat disagreeable one. Provisions and animals are to be got at Wallah- Wallah, the 

 Dalles, and Vancouver. Our animals at Wallah- Wallah are in charge of Mr. Pambrun ; at the 

 Dalles are in charge of Sergeant Martin, and at Vancouver of Mr. Swissler, an old resident well 

 known there. The road is very good to the Dalles, but somewhat difficult thence, though prac 

 ticable to Vancouver. Thence there is a practicable trail to this place, some little forage being, 

 however, required, in consequence of a deficiency of grass. Instead, however, of going all the 

 way by land, you can go down the Columbia river to a liltle village just above the mouth, and 

 on the west bank of the Cowlitz river, called Monticello; whence, taking a light Indian canoe, (a 

 barge or bateau should not be used at this season of the year,) you go up the Cowlitz about 

 thirty-two miles to Cowlitz landing. Thence there is a good road to this place, the distance 

 being about sixty miles. From Vancouver to Monticello the distance is forty-five to forty-eight 

 miles. Should you be compelled to come this way, go to the Dalles by land, provided you are 

 not compelled to purchase animals; thence to Vancouver by the Columbia river, (you can prob 

 ably get through for about seven dollars per man,) and to this point by land ; unless, again, you 

 are obliged to purchase animals. I send herewith a note directing Mr. Pambrun, Sergeant 

 Martin, and Mr. Swissler to deliver up such animals as you may select, or to receive from you 

 such as you may deliver up, giving you receipts therefor. You should have a descriptive list of 

 each animal, and they should, if practicable, be branded. On the two trails from Wallah- 

 Wallah to the Dalles, and from Columbia barracks to this point, the animals should be in good 

 order at this season of the year; packs should not be more than one hundred pounds, and at 

 least half a bushel of oats, barley, or corn, should be taken along for each animal. 



Very truly, yours, ISAAC I. STEVENS. 



A. W. TINKHAM, Esq., Fort Wallah- Wallah. 



N. B. The enclosed sketch will show how the trail from the pass connects with Sinahomish 

 river and Port Gardner, with the White River valley, and Elliott s bay. Alki and Seattle are 



