INSTRUCTIONS TO LIEUTENANT DONELSON. 
f 35 
noting particularly the general quality of the soil, the forest trees, grasses, quality of water, 
and practicability of the route for the passage of wagon trains. With the barometer you will 
make the best profile the time will allow of the route you pass over, and such facts as your 
limited means will allow, as to the feasibility of the route for a railroad. 
But the great duty which I place in your hands, is to carry from me a message of the G-reat 
Father to the Flatheads. Assure them that the Great Father appreciates their services and 
understands their merits; that he will hereafter protect them from the incursions of the Black- 
feet, and other Indians east of the mountains, and make them live as friends; that he will send 
to them, each year, certain articles which they most need; and that a faithful and intelligent 
agent shall live among them. 
Speak of your own duties, and of your occupation of the St. Mary’s post. I want to meet the 
prominent Flathead chiefs and braves at the St. Mary’s village, at the close of the present 
month; and I rely on your energy and tact to induce them to accompany you to that point. 
It is my determination to bring the tribes north of the Missouri, and those west of the mount¬ 
ains, into a general council at this point next year, and to make a lasting peace between all 
the tribes of Indians not included in previous arrangements. Dwell on this in the Flathead 
camp. 
You understand well the general character of the Flatheads, the best Indians of the mount¬ 
ains or the plains. Honest, brave, docile, they need only encouragement to become good citi¬ 
zens. They are Christians; and we are assured by the good Father De Smet that they live 
up to the Christian code. 
Dwell on the good Father, and say that his words in their favor have reached the Great Father 
and made all good men their friends. 
I want to build up anew the village of St. Mary’s. Let the Flatheads understand I am their 
friend—one who will join hands with former friends for their good. Ho labors will be more 
sweet than those which will enable me to place in permanent homes, in that beautiful valley, 
these interesting children of the mountains. 
Truly yours, 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Exploration. 
Lieut. J. Mullan, Jr., 
IV Artillery , United States Army. 
No. T. 
Fort Benton, September 7, 1853. 
Dear Donelson: I am satisfied you should take the advance with the odometer party, a baro¬ 
meter, a sextant, two wagons, twenty to twenty-five men, and examine carefully the approaches 
to Cadotte’s Pass. The country, and particularly the river crossings, the plateau east of the 
Teton to the Missouri, and from the same plateau to the plateau between the Sun river and 
the next considerable tributary of the Missouri, will especially require careful examination. On 
leaving the Sun river to reach the base of the first dividing ridge, several streams are crossed, and 
it is probable a wide range of country should be taken. It is probable you will be obliged to 
halt every alternate day in order to do the side work. The detached parties for this work should 
not exceed three men. Two will often be sufficient. 
The whole train will reach you by the time you are at the base of the first dividing ridge, 
and then the advanced party must be turned into a pioneer party to remove obstructions. 
Whatever reports are sent to me, I am now determined to push a wagon train through ; nor 
shall a mule be packed, except for side work, till we reach the point where we are compelled to 
unload our wagons. 
