52 
LETTERS TO CAPT. GARDINER AND TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 
hunters and guides, and certain members of the scientific corps, without permission ot the chief 
of the expedition, or, in case of detachments, of the officer in charge of the detachment. 
No. 29. 
Camp Pierce, June 3, 1853. 
Dear Sir: It is with great regret that I learn from your letter of this date, enclosing the 
certificate of Dr. Suckley, the medical officer of the expedition, that in consequence of your 
health you are obliged to ask to be relieved from duty with the expedition under my command. 
I have looked forward to your co-operation as a great element in the success of the expedi¬ 
tion, bringing as it would the very experience to the work in which the other officers associated 
with us and myself are deficient. But I see no alternative, observing as I have done the state 
of your health, with your application, and the certificate of Dr. Suckley before me, than 
promptly to comply with your request. 
You may be sure I shall never forget the lively interest you have taken in the success of the 
expedition, the exertion you have made to forward it, and your efficient assistance in making 
the preparations for the field. You are accordingly relieved from the duty with the command, 
and are directed to repair to Washington city and report for duty. 
[Unimportant paragraph omitted.] 
I will personally discharge the duties of quartermaster and commissary of the expedition, 
and will sign the necessary papers whenever they shall be prepared. 
Truly your friend, 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory , in Command of Expedition. 
Capt. J. W. T. Gardiner, 
First Dragoons , U. S. Army. 
Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration and Survey, 
Olympia , W. T ., December 5, 1853, 
Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place, and to submit the following state¬ 
ment of operations since my report from Fort Benton. Before entering upon the narrative, it 
will be proper for me to state that I feel the greatest satisfaction at the complete success of the 
exploration, and that the report will show an amount of work reflecting the highest credit upon 
my associates. No disaster or untoward circumstance has marred the work. The parties have 
reached the Columbia river in the highest spirits—no man broken down by over-exertion or 
unnecessary exposure. The three great western ranges have been crossed in the fall; no snow 
whatever seen, except on the topmost peaks till the last days of October, and then only for a 
few inches, passing away in two or three days. I can pronounce, with the greatest confidence, 
the route to be eminently practicable; and in so doing, I feel repaid for the great exertions I 
have made, and the great anxiety which at times has almost overcome me, in preparing for and 
conducting the exploration. I am confident that when our contributions in the way of general 
geography, and in the development of the resources and character of the country passed over, 
are given to the public, it will be conceded that a public advantage has accrued far outweigh¬ 
ing the expenditure, even should other railroad routes be finally determined on. Moreover, 
the exploration has been a vital element in the management of the Indian tribes, restraining 
their predatory habits, and disposing them to rely upon the general government to guaranty to 
them peace and protect them in their rights. 
In the narrative of operations which I shall now present, the several letters of instructions will 
be referred to, and copies of the same given in an appendix ; and such results will be stated 
as can be relied on, previous to a careful analysis and comparison of all the data in the office. 
