LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 
21 
tality. In reference to the Blackfeet, whose country we are now about entering, I am assured 
by Mr. Culbertson, my special agent for that tribe, that they will receive us with open arms, 
and that no trouble need be apprehended. The necessary precautions will, of course, be taken to 
secure against attacks and loss of animals, but I can see no reason to apprehend the slightest 
trouble with any of the tribes to be met upon the route. 
The enclosed memorandum will give you a more full account of the details of the operations, 
and the enclosed sketch of a railroad route certainly practicable, at a cost probably not exceeding 
$40,000 per mile. It is certain that the two great key points of country are the valley of Mouse 
river and the region of the Bois des Sioux. The Mouse river is erroneously given on all the 
maps. It nowhere approaches the Missouri nearer than thirty or forty miles, and the pass 
over the Coteau is so gradual, and the whole valley is so open, that the ascent is scarcely 
observed. 
I must not fail particularly to advert to Lieutenant Donelson’s excellent survey of the Mis¬ 
souri river, as high as the boat has been navigated the present season, some one hundred and 
twenty miles above this point, and the numerous collections made by him on the route ; and to 
a very extended reconnaissance of the White Earth river, and the Coteau de Missouri, during 
which, in nine days, he passed over a distance of two hundred and thirty-five miles. 
A more detailed account will he given hereafter. I shall from Fort Benton make report on 
the navigability of the Missouri, with suggestions for, and an estimate as to its improvement. 
T. S. Everett, Esq., the quartermaster and commissary clerk of the expedition, returns from 
this point to Washington, and will call on you personally, to give you information which I 
cannot embody in a report at this time. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory. 
Hon. Jefferson Davis, 
Secretary of War. 
N. B.—The memorandum I regret I cannot prepare in time, and shall have to refer you to 
Mr. Everett for additional particulars which cannot he found in this brief letter. 
Northern Pacific Kailroad Exploration and Survey, 
Fort Benton , Upper Missouri. September 8, 1853. 
Sir: We left Fort Union on the 9th of August, and pursued the Milk river line, abandoning 
the two lines contemplated in my letter of the 8th of August. The junction of the two parties 
was made at the Big Muddy river, and resulted from my inability to furnish proper transport¬ 
ation and the requisite force to the two parties. The train moved forward under my charge 
until the 24th of August, when with a small party, including Alexander Culbertson, Esq., the 
special agent among the Blackfeet Indians, and accompanied by two select detached parties 
under the respective directions of Lieut. Grover and Mr. Lander, I started in advance, and 
arrived here on the 1st instant. 
We found that the Missouri is much out of place on all the maps, and the Milk river still 
more so—flowing nearly due west. Up to this point, we have found the country entirely 
practicable for a railroad. Whichever pass in the mountains may be decided upon, the Milk 
River valley will furnish a good approach. 
Dr. Evans, geologist of the expedition, arrived here on the 5th instant, having made a com¬ 
plete and satisfactory examination of “Mauvaises Terres,” the country south of the Yellow¬ 
stone from the Black hills to the Missouri river, and north of the Missouri, between the Milk 
and Missouri rivers. 
