NARRATIVE OF 1855 
CHAPTER ХІ. 
WALLA-WALLA TO BITTER ROOT VALLEY. 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EXPLORATION.— WALLA-WALLA VaLLEY.—TovcHET VALLEY.—TUKANON River.—Lovis Moracné—Pyra- 
мір Воттв--Пауүвв, Heap CHIEF or THE Nez Percks.—Divine SEPARATING SNAKE FROM PELUSE River.—Kamas Freups.— 
CoEUR D'ALENE Mission.—Srevens’ Pass.—Sr. Recis ре BORGIA River.—ITINERARY AND MINUTE DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE BE- 
C "Аме М AND BITTER Воот VALLEY.—CHIEFS OF THE PEND D'OREILLES AND FLATHEADS.—INDIAN TREATIES. 
AW SN VEU 
These explorations were made under the following circumstances: I had received the neces- 
sary instructions, and was clothed with proper authority to make treaties with the Indian tribes 
throughout the Territory of Washington; and I was also one of the commissioners for holding 
the Blackfeet council, which I had so long and so strenuously urged upon the government, and 
for which I had been preparing since 1853. James Doty, esq., the gentleman in charge of the 
winter post at Fort Benton, and who had crossed the country to Puget Sound in the fall of 
1854, was available for service in this duty of making treaties with the Indians. A most intelli- 
gent young man, Albert Н. Robie, who, from a cook boy in 1853, had, іп a year and a half, become 
an intelligent herder and woodsman, was also desirous of being engaged on this service. In 
January Mr. Doty was sent with a small party east of the Cascade mountains, to make the ne- 
cessary arrangements for bringing the Indians together in council. A large quantity of goods 
were to be taken to the Walla-Walla, which was finally agreed upon as the council ground, at 
the instance of Kamiakin himself, who, in open council, said to Mr. Doty: ‘‘ There is the place 
where, in ancient times, we held our councils with the neighboring tribes, and we will hold it 
there now." The goods for the council were taken to the Walla-Walla in keel-boats; and this 
may be regarded as the commencement of a kind of navigation which, at the present time, has 
been succeeded by the running of sailing vessels carrying sixty tons freight, and by the 
launching of a steamer, which will soon ply from near the Dalles to Old Fort Walla-Walla, and 
probably some distance above. I also secured the services of a very intelligent, faithful, and 
appreciative man, Gustavus Sohon, a private of the 4th infantry, who was with Mr. Mullan the 
year previous in the Bitter Root valley, and had shown great taste as an artist, and ability to learn 
ke Indian language, as well as facility in intercourse with the Indians. His services I secured, 
as interpreter, through the intervention of General Wool. I was well provided with barometers, 
forwarded to me by James Green, esq., of New York. Thus, in the month of May, 1855, I 
found myself in the Walla-Walla valley, with instructions to go to the Missouri, and with the 
E by proper care and management of time, and a little hard work, to make a good exami- 
— rical observations. "This is not the occasion for me to dwell upon 
my operations in making treaties with the Indians. It is sufficient for me to say that they have 
been much misunderstood, and have had many aspersions cast upon them. At a proper time I 
am prepared to vindicate every step of my course, and to satisfy all men of honor and disinter- 
