INDIANS ON THE ROUTE. 
147 
Flatheads, Kootenaies, Pend d’Oreilles, Coeur d’Alenes, Spokanes, Nez Perces, Peluses, Cayuses, 
Wallah-Wallahs, Dalles, Cascades, Klikitats, Yakimas, Pisquouse, Okinakanes, Colvilles, and 
some forty tribes west of the Cascade mountains. The only white inhabitants are the traders 
and employes of the Fur Companies, licensed traders in the unorganized portion of the Territory. 
East of the Cascades, the emploj^es of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the Red river half- 
breeds living near the boundary line and near Red river, a portion in American and a portion in 
English territory. 
During the whole course of the exploration the Indians were uniformly friendly, and not a 
single difficulty in all these extended operations occurred. They were met in council throughout 
the route, and presents were given to them, with kind words from the Great Father. Our inter¬ 
course with the several tribes of the Blackfeet nation was especially of the most cordial character, 
and for the last ten years have the traders of the Fur Company gone alone into their camps with 
large quantities of goods in entire safety. These Blackfeet may be considered the Arabs of the 
North. They having the adventurous spirit of that ancient people, make long journeys in quest 
of spoils or scalps, and extend their depredations to Snake river, to the emigrant trail, and to 
New Mexico. Bringing a portion of them into council at Fort Benton, they promised, individ¬ 
ually, to cease sending their war parties against other tribes, and to respect all whites travelling 
through their country, and to use their influence to induce the whole nation to do likewise. 
This promise has been respected, and the chiefs present at the council have used their utmost 
influence to dissuade their young men from going to war. Yet for many years there have not 
been so many in the tribe, many alleging that this year will be their last opportunity to steal 
horses, and they must make the most of it. Should a council be held at or near Fort Benton 
fa- a general pacification of the Indian tribes on both sides of the Rocky mountains, not included 
in existing arrangements, I am satisfied that, with the support of the military force, it will, in 
connexion with subsequent measures, tend to reclaim them and make of them useful members 
of the State. In the interviews which Mr. Doty, in charge of the meteorological post at Fort 
Benton, has had with them at their camps in the vicinity of that place, it will be seen they are 
exceedingly pleased both with the council and the idea of a farm. The improvement which 
has already taken place in their general character is the guarantee of continued improvement. 
I concur in the views of Mr. Doty, given in the Indian portion of this report, to which I 
will call your particular attention. At this moment it is certain a man can go about throughout 
their territory without molestation, except in the contingency of being mistaken at night for an 
Indian. 
The report of Lieutenant Mullan will be found full of interest in reference to the honest and 
brave Indians immediately west of the Rocky mountains, and I cannot but respond to all the 
warmth and eneigy of his appeal to the government for their protection. Not doubting that a 
council will be held, they bear in patience every injury; and the return of three horses belonging 
to Mr. Doty’s train, taken by mistake in reprisals for horses stolen by« the Blackfeet, by the 
Pend d’Oreille chief and five men, I look upon as an act of heroism. They travelled five days 
through Blackfeet war parties, and delivered them up at Fort Benton, asking no reward, and 
expressing much sorrow and shame at the act; and this was done by the unanimous vote of the 
whole tribe in council. Nearly all the Indians east of the Cascades are sincere Christians, 
mostly Catholics ; but the Spokanes and a part of the Nez Perces are Protestants. The inter¬ 
esting report of Mr. Gibbs to Captain McClellan, in charge of the exploration and survey of the 
Cascades, will, in connexion with the reports of Dr. Suckley, Lieutenant Mullan, and Mr. Doty, 
give a good general view of the Indians on the route from the Blackfeet nation to the Pacific. 
It may be remarked, however, that the exploration has had extraordinary facilities for collecting 
information in relation to the Indian tribes, and has enabled me to come to conclusions in refer¬ 
ence to the general policy that should be pursued towards them. The mountain Indians differ 
entirely in their character and habits from those of the streams and the shores of the ocean. 
