64 
LETTERS TO DR. SUCKLEY AND MR. TINKHAM. 
No. 4. 
Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration and-Survey, 
Flathead Village, St. Mary s Valley, October 2, 1853. 
Sir: You will remain at this point until the 25tli instant or thereabouts, when you will pro¬ 
ceed in a canoe down the Bitter Root and St. Mary’s rivers, through by Lake Pend d’Oreille, 
and down Clark’s fork of the Columbia river to the main river, following the latter to the 
mouth of the Cowlitz ; and from that point make your way by the most practicable route to 
Olympia. 
During your stay at this place you will employ your time to the best advantage, collecting 
such specimens in zoology, botany, ichthyology, &c., as may he rare and interesting; and in 
your intercourse with the natives, making yourself familiar with their past and present history, 
language, traditions, &c., as fully as possible. Henry Berry and George Smith, two expe¬ 
rienced boatmen, will he placed at your disposal, and, where necessary, you are empowered to 
hire an Indian guide. During your trip, in addition to collections in natural history, you will 
note carefully the general direction of these rivers, and of their main tributaries, the various 
falls and rapids, and their approximate distances; note also the width and depth of the stream, 
the character of its banks at various points, and any other interesting and valuable facts. You 
will also make a set of meteorological observations at regular intervals, for which purpose the 
proper instruments will be furnished you. 
You will collect all the information you can concerning the various missions on your route, 
noting carefully their influence, both in connexion with the settlement of the country and as 
tending to promote the civilization of the native tribes. 
I will place at your disposal letters of credit and introduction to the agents of the Hudson’s 
Bay Company at the posts of Fort Colville, Wallah-Wallah, and Vancouver, with discretionary 
powers as to their use. 
Very truly yours, &c., 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory, in Charge of Expedition. 
Dr. George Suckley. 
No. 5. 
Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration and Survey, 
St. Mary's Valley, Washington Territory, October 3, 1853. 
Dear Sir: With your party you are assigned to the duty of examining the Marias Pass, and 
returning either by Cadotte’s Pass or by the pass pursued by Mr. Mullan, or by that entering 
the valley above this point, from the Jefferson fork of the Missouri, and known as the main 
Flathead trail, and thence by the southern Nez Perces trail to Wallah-Wallah, and the mili¬ 
tary road to Olympia. Fort Benton will be visited by you to confer with Mr. Doty, and make 
known to him the several routes examined, and to advise in relation to points requiring exami¬ 
nation ; should it be practicable, it would be desirable that Mr. Doty should accompany you to 
St. Mary’s, and thence return by Cadotte’s Pass to Fort Benton. 
It is desirable that you should return by the broad Flathead trail; but the season is late, and 
it may be found necessary to come here by the shortest route, that of Cadotte’s Pass. It is prob¬ 
able that with good pack animals, the route by Cadotte’s Pass will occupy ten days; that by Mr. 
Mullan’s, twelve; and by the broad Flathead trail, fifteen days. In addition to the railroad 
reconnaissance and estimate, estimate as to the cost, and report as to the best practicable 
method of establishing a wagon route from Fort Benton to this point. 
Your guide will be a Flathead Indian, who will accompany you to the entrance of the Marias 
