66 
LETTER TO LIEUTENANT GROVER.—ORDERS. 
Monroe, Baptiste, and tire two Piegans go by Cadotte’s Pass. One of tbe Piegans has agreed 
to accompany you to St. Mary’s, and to return with you to Fort Benton. He is the more deli¬ 
cate Indian of the two, and the better Indian. He guided me to St. Mary’s and is very trust¬ 
worthy. In reference to the service of Monroe, Baptiste, and the two Indians, I shall write a 
special letter. 
Yours, &c., 
ISAAC I. STEVENS. 
Mr. Doty. 
No. 7. 
Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration and Survey, 
St. Mary’s Valley , October 3, 1853. 
My Dear Grover: We have had good success in coming through the mountains: fine 
weather and no snow. All the parties were here on the 30th September, except that of Mr. 
Tinkham, who is out examining a route from the valley of the Blackfeet river to the Jocko 
river to see if the defile ending in Hell Gate cannot he avoided. Donelson left yesterday in 
charge of the principal party, and I shall move oft’ in the morning, and hope to reach Fort Col¬ 
ville in ten to twelve days. 
In your examination of the Dalles, I will thank you to examine as to the site of a suitable 
depot for emigrant purposes, and for the continuation of the survey. It should he in the neigh¬ 
borhood of grass and wood, and as near as practicable to the head of steamboat navigation. I 
have left a good store of provisions for you at this point, and shall make every exertion to send 
here an express in November from the sound. I am decidedly of the opinion that you will 
accomplish the undertaking of the dog train. 
Lieutenant Mullan is left in charge here, with Messrs. Adams and Burr as assistants, Sergeant 
Simpson in charge of animals, and twelve men. He will assist you in every way in his power. 
The doctors will also remain here some twenty days, with two men, and then go down the St. 
Mary’s river and the Columbia in a boat. 
I shall expect to see you in Olympia some time in February, and to congratulate you on the 
success of your enterprise. 
Yours, &c., 
ISAAC I. STEVENS. 
Camp St. Mary’s Valley, 
Thirty-three Miles below St. Mary’s Village , October 7, 1853. 
Mr. Tinkham got in last evening, and starts on his examination to-morrow. He will reach 
Fort Benton by the 20th instant, and is accompanied by a good Flathead guide. ^ 
No. 9. 
[Orders.] 
Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration and Survey, 
Camp Washington , October 29, 1853. 
The chief of the exploration congratulates his associates upon the junction of the eastern and 
western divisions on the hanks of the Spokane river, and for the successful accomplishment of 
the great object of their joint labors. To Captain McClellan, his officers and men, too much 
credit cannot he ascribed for their indefatigable exertions, and the great ability of all kinds 
brought to their division of the work. They can point with just pride to the determination of 
two practicable passes in that most formidable harrier from the Mississippi to the Pacific, of the 
