ORDER ISSUED ON THE ARRIVAL OF LIEUTENANT SAXTON AT FORT BENTON. 33 
directing him, on completing his mission, to return to Fort Benton, to complete the survey of 
the Missouri, and pass with a dog train over the mountains in the winter. 
4. Copy of my instructions to Lieutenant Mullan, (marked No. G,) directing him to repair to 
the Flathead camps, on the Muscle Shell river, and from that point to survey a route to St. 
Mary’s through one of the passes leading from the forks of the Missouri. 
5. Copies of three letters of instructions to Lieutenant Donelson, (marked 7, 8, and 9,) the 
two former based on continuing the exploration with wagons, and providing for the exploration 
of the Marias Pass hy Mr. Lander, and the third changing the train from wagons to packs, and 
deferring to another season the exploration of the Marias Pass. 
6. Copy of my instructions to Lieutenant Saxton, (marked No. 10,) directing him to take 
charge of the returned men, and to repair to Washington to prepare his report and give inform¬ 
ation to the department, &c. 
7. Copy of my instructions to Mr. Doty, (marked No. 11,) placing him in charge of the 
meteorological and supply post at this point. 
8. Copy of my General Order No. 11, (marked No. 12,) abandoning two lines of operations 
from Big Muddy river, and returning thanks to the men for their previous services. 
9. All the remaining orders issued hy myself or Lieutenant Donelson in connexion with the 
main party, viz: Orders No. 10, No. 12 to No. 17, and marked consecutively to 27. 
10. Copy of camp regulations—(No. 28.) 
11. Copy of my letter to Captain Gardiner, June 30, (No. 29,) relieving him from duty in 
consequence of ill health, and stating that I would assume the duties of quartermaster and com¬ 
missary. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Expedition. 
Hon. Jefferson Davis, 
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 
No. 4. 
[Order No. 18.] 
Northern Pacific Kailroad Exploration and Survey, 
Camp Dobbin, near Fort Benton, September 15, 1853. 
The chief of the expedition congratulates Lieutenant Saxton and his party upon their safe 
arrival at Fort Benton, from the mouth of the Columbia. For indomitable energy, sound 
judgment, and the most crowning accomplishment, Lieutenant Saxton has the thanks of all his 
associates, and deserves honorable mention at the hands of all men who seek to advance the 
honor and renown of their country. 
Lieutenant Grover, in command of the advance party to open a communication with the 
parties west of the mountains, and who met Lieutenant Saxton near the dividing ridge, also 
receives the thanks and congratulations of his associates in the great work now so ripe for 
success. 
Daylight now breaks through the struggles of three months. 
On the 8th of June the supply-train left Camp Pierce, on Lake Amelia, and on the 8th of 
September the parties from the Mississippi and the Pacific shook hands across the continent. 
The pass of the Rocky mountains is found to he more than one thousand feet below the South 
Pass, and is not only practicable, hut expressly made to our hands for the great northern 
railroad. 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory, in Command of Exploration. 
5 / 
