72 
LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 
Cowlitz, with somewhat easier grades, with no tunnels, hut involving an increased distance of, 
in round numbers, one hundred and fifty miles. 
The office-work is commenced with great vigor, and I hope to he able to despatch my pre¬ 
liminary report in a month’s time. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, 
ISAAC I. STEVENS, 
Governor of Washington Territory. 
Hon. Jefferson Davis, 
Secretary of War , Washington. 
War Department, 
Washington , December 1, 1853. 
Sir: I have received, with your letter of the 28th of September, a duplicate of that of Sep¬ 
tember 8th, (the original has not come to hand,) in which you state that the funds allotted for 
the survey under your charge would be exhausted by the middle of October, from which time 
to the 30th of June next you would require $30,000, in monthly instalments ; and you add an 
estimate of $40,000 for the operations of your party for the next fiscal year, ending June 30> 
1855. 
The department very much regrets that, with a full knowledge of the extent of the means at 
the disposal of the department for the survey intrusted to you, you have so made your arrange¬ 
ments as to absorb all your funds so long before the completion of the work. I have no means 
of meeting any further demands for the expenses of your party. 
In the instructions from this department of April 8, you were directed to bring your opera¬ 
tions to a close, and submit a general report before the first Monday in February next, when 
the law requires all reports to be laid before Congress. All arrangements looking to the ex¬ 
tension of your operations beyond the time indicated in those instructions are without authority; 
and you are directed to close your work in the manner therein prescribed. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
Governor I. I. Stevens. 
JEFF’N DAVIS, 
Secretary of War. 
