FROM FORT BENTON TO CANTONMENT STEYENS. 
553 
the Missouri, along the base of the Rocky mountains, to the parallel of 49° 30', carrying a correct 
odometer measurement to the boundary ; discovering the sources of Sun river, Breast river, Marias 
river, Milk river, and their branches, and also Mo-ka-un or Belly river of the north, and their 
general characteristics; ascertaining the existence of a large body of agricultural land, and proper 
localities for farms, and the general capabilities of the country for settlement, and collecting speci¬ 
mens in geology, natural history, and botany. Three hundred and twenty varieties of flowers— 
many of which, it is believed, are new to the botanist—were collected and carefully preserved, 
each specimen having a label attached, stating place where found, color, &c. The barometrical 
observations were continued as far as Badger river, where the barometer was, most unfortunately, 
broken, thus destroying my hopes of obtaining a correct barometrical profile of the country. 
Some knowledge also was obtained of the Marias Pass, showing that its character is entirely 
different from what had been previously supposed. 
It was practically demonstrated that a party of four white men can travel for forty-one days in 
the heart of the Blackfoot country, without losing either horses or scalps. 
And finally, by odometer measurement and sextant observations, it is believed a tolerably 
correct map has been made of a country hitherto unexplored. 
All of which is respectfully submitted; and I have the honor to remain, respectfully, your most 
obedient, JAMES DOTY. 
Governor I. I. Stevens, 
In Charge of N. P. Railroad Survey. 
REPORT OF MR. JAMES DOTY, OF A RECONNAISSANCE FROM FORT BENTON TO CANTONMENT 
STEVENS, AND OF A SURVEY FROM FORT BENTON TO OLYMPIA. 
Olympia, W. T., January 1, 1855. 
Sir: Having submitted to you reports upon the Blackfeet Indians, the navigability of the Mis¬ 
souri, and a reconnaissance from Fort Benton to the parallel of 49° 30' N., I now have the honor 
to submit a brief report of a reconnaissance to Cantonment Stevens in July last, and of my 
survey from Fort Benton to Olympia, in September and October. 
After returning from my northern tour on the 19th June, I remained at my post until July 8. 
On the 4th of July an express arrived from Lieutenant Mullan, bringing me your letters of April 
1, directing me to remain at Fort Benton until further orders. Deeming it my duty in the mean¬ 
time to make all the explorations in my power, I determined to visit Lieutenant Mullan in the 
Bitter Root valley; and accordingly, on July 8, accompanied by Mr. Burr, who had brought the 
express, and two of my men, I left Fort Benton; and passing over the usual route, encamped at 
the Great falls of the Missouri. Thence to within ten miles of the divide of the Rocky mount¬ 
ains, our route was the same as that of the main train in September, 1853. At this point our 
course, which had been nearly south, turned due west, and, following up the valley of a small 
creek now dry, by a well-worn Indian trail, in eleven miles crossed the divide, which is merely 
a hill about five hundred feet high, and fell upon the waters of the Columbia; continued down 
this creek a short distance, when, leaving it to our left, crossed a tract of rolling prairie and pine 
openings, and entered a beautiful prairie bordering a large creek, which is supposed to be the 
main stream of the Blackfoot fork, and down which we travelled. At the end of the prairie 
struck the trail of the main train, and, following it, encamped at the crossing of the river. 
July 12 .—Continued down the river, meeting nothing worthy of notice, and encamped at the 
crossing of Salmon Trout river, near its junction with the Blackfoot. 
July f 3.—Followed the main trail for 15 miles, when, leaving it, took the Camash Prairie cut-off. 
The trail turns to the south, and in six miles crosses the Blackfoot, and, passing through open pine 
woods for live miles, comes out upon a beautiful prairie, having a rich soil of black loam, and 
covered with luxuriant grass. The prairie, which is about four by ten miles in extent, is the 
70 / 
