CORRESPONDENCE. 
Olympia, Washington Territory, 
December 12, 1853. 
Dear Sir : I find it of great consequence to the survey to make certain examinations of the 
passes in the Cascade range during the winter—examinations really indispensable to a reliable 
preliminary report the present session of Congress. 
If you and your party are not altogether too much exhausted by your protracted labors, I 
wish you to take an important part in these examinations. 
There are two passes in the Cascade range, about fifteen and thirty-five miles, respectively, 
north of Mount Rainier. The first pass, called the Nahchess Pass, follows along the Nahchess 
tributary of the Yakima river, and was pursued by the emigrants the present year. The second 
or northern pass, called the Snoqualme Pass, is along the main Yakima river, and up a broad 
open valley, and the dividing ridge is only three thousand five hundred feet above the sea. 
The Nahchess Pass is five thousand feet above the sea. The climate in the Puget Sound district 
is of extraordinary mildness, and modifies greatly the climate of the Cascade passes. The 
Snoqualme Pass, I am perfectly satisfied from the information I have received, is practicable for 
pack-horses every month of the year, excepting that in very severe winters it may be impassable 
in February. 
I have therefore to direct that, on your arrival at Wallah-Wallah, you fit yourself out to continue 
your work to this point over the Cascade mountains by the Snoqualme Pass, and will, for this 
duty, purchase fresh and sound animals, furnish yourself with at least thirty days’ provisions, 
secure a good, reliable Indian guide, and start with the determination to push yourself through. 
I have left in charge of Mr. Pambrun, the gentleman in charge at Wallah-Wall ah, some 
forty-five animals ; but it is doubtful whether any of them will be equal to the work. By confer¬ 
ence with him, with Bomford and Brook, who live at Whitman’s mission, and Pu-pu-mux-mux, 
the Wallah-Wallah chief, you will be able to secure good animals. Do not take one in trust, 
however. Have each one thoroughly tested, and be particular in the price. Take some days 
to fit yourself out in the most complete manner. You will need some axes and a good supply 
of matches. 
On the route you must be on your guard not to be misled by wrong information. It is believed 
here that the priests at the Yakima mission, on the line of your route, are in the habit of repre¬ 
senting the country and the climate in the worst possible light, in order to discourage settlements; 
and the Indians, you well know, are prone to story-telling. 
So far from finding the route exceedingly difficult, I am satisfied it will be your quickest and 
easiest way of reaching this point. 
On the 8th of November certain Indians came into Wallah-Wallah with the report that the 
emigrants were obliged to abandon their wagons and animals in consequence of snow in the 
Nahchess Pass, and that the week previous two Indians turned back, the snow being up to the 
breasts of their horses; whereas the emigrants saw no snow whatever in the pass, and none fell 
till the 3d of November, and that to the depth of only four inches. The day they brought in that 
report, and for a fortnight later, it is not probable there was even one foot of snow at any point 
of the route. 
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