440 
INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
portions of Washington and Oregon Territories, and thus blot out forever from the map of our 
country what is now looked upon as the great desert, as it were, extending from the Missouri to 
a hundred miles west of the Rocky mountains, thus occupying a central position in the heart of 
our country, and replace it by one continued belt of thriving settlements and villages, where the 
stir and bustle of business shall resound, without cessation, as along our civilized and settled 
borders. Should the matter be let passed during the coming season, I doubt whether it can ever 
be undertaken again under as favorable auspices. Should you have received any intelligence 
from Washington in regard to the subject, you will oblige me by referring to it in your commu¬ 
nication to me in the Bitter Root valley. 
Truly, your obedient servant, 
J. MULL AN, 
Lieutenant United States Army. 
Governor I. I. Stevens, 
In Command of N. P. Railroad Survey, &fc. 
Cantonment Stevens, Bitter Root Valley, 
Washington Territory, January 25, 1854. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in conformity to } r our letter of instructions, dated at the 
Flathead village of St. Mary’s, October 3, 1853, “to report on the probable cost of erecting 
agency buildings, &c., in the Bitter Root valley, and the cost necessary for keeping up the same,” 
upon examination I find there will be needed a building for an agent, for the Indian farmer, 
a council-room, a store-room, a blacksmith’s shop, a building for the blacksmith, and two em¬ 
ployes for the Indian farmer, and a room for the interpreter. I deem it necessary that a full 
agent should be sent to this section, and that the tribes included in this agency should be the 
Flatheads, the Pend d’Oreilles, and the Kootenaies; for these but one interpreter will be needed, 
since the man Gabriel, whom I have employed as interpreter, speaks each of the languages, and 
who could be appointed the interpreter for the agency. I think the agency should be established 
at or somewhere near the “Hell Gate,” which is the great thoroughfare for all the Indians in 
going and returning from the buffalo hunt east of the mountains. Should any sub-agents be ap¬ 
pointed, one is needed, beyond a doubt, among the Flathead Indians ; and I therefore recommend 
to you that an appropriation of five thousand dollars be made to defray the expenses of erecting 
the buildings, furnishing five yoke of oxen, supplying blacksmith’s tools, &c., furnishing ten ploughs, 
seed for farming, one wagon, such carpenter’s tools as would be needed, and, in a word, for 
supplying the agency with everything needed. I am confident that the Indians will do a great 
deal towards the erection of the buildings, &c. 
There will be needed, then, one agent—pay . $1,500 00 
One interpreter . 500 00 
[The pay should be $500 for an interpreter, since he can speak three languages.] 
Pay of Indian farmer . 500 00 
Pay of two men associated with the farmer, at $300. 600 00 
Presents to Indians visiting agency, &c., in goods, &c . 500 00 
Provisions to be given to Indians visiting the agency on business, &c., to consist of 
sugar, coffee, beans, rice, and hard bread. 500 00 
Meat provision to be obtained in the country . 500 00 
4,600 00 
For travelling and contingent expenses......... 1,000 00 
5,600 00 
