618 
LETTER TO A. W. TINKHAM. 
The Yakima Indians on your route are civil and obliging, and their chiefs, Tias, Caroni-ach, 
Ska-loo, and Ouhae, are very friendly. Pu-pu-mux-mux will, I think, be of great assistance to 
you, and will accompany you, I have no doubt, a part of the way. His influence over the In¬ 
dians is very great, and he will be able to secure good guides, and keep down false reports. Say 
to him I earnestly desire him to accompany you. He has many beef-cattle. It would be well 
to have driven one or two with your party, to the farthest point they can reach; then kill them, 
pack what you can, and cache the rest; you have something to eat in case of a reverse. Indians 
should be got to drive them. You ought to have one or two Indians for herders. Whilst I am 
confident you will go through without difficulty, I wish every precaution taken to guard against 
reverses, so that no suffering shall be experienced by yourself or any member of your party. 
You ought to have snow-shoes. 
You will, however, proceed with extreme caution and make arrangements at the last Indian 
village for a depot of provisions, to fall back upon in case of a sudden fall of snow, compelling 
you to pause for some days; or in case you be satisfied that the route is impassable, and that, 
contrary to my confident belief and expectation, it is absolutely necessary that you return to 
Wallah-Wallah. Even 1 his fact will be of great consequence, and will show there are greater 
difficulties to be encountered than we now look forward to. Provisions you will be able to get 
of Mr. Pambrun; but it may be you can do better as to procuring beef with Bomford and Brook, 
or with Pu-pu-mux-mux. I should prefer that you get all you can of Pu-pu-mux-mux. 
On your route you will make your examinations with your usual care, noting everything of 
importance pertaining both to rail and wagon roads; and if your barometer is not broken, con¬ 
tinuing your barometric profile. In the postscript to this letter I will give the principal facts as 
regards the western slope of the Cascades, and add a sketch. 
The route from Wallah-Wallah to this point by the Columbia and the Cowlitz rivers is a long 
and somewhat disagreeable one. Provisions and animals are to be got at Wallah-Wallah, the 
Dalles, and Vancouver. Our animals at Wallah-Wallah are in charge of Mr. Pambrun; at the 
Dalles are in charge of Sergeant Martin, and at Vancouver of Mr. Swissler, an old resident well 
known there. The road is very good to the Dalles, but somewhat difficult thence, though prac¬ 
ticable to Vancouver. Thence there is a practicable trail to this place, some little forage being, 
however, required, in consequence of a deficiency of grass. Instead, however, of going all the 
way by land, you can go down the Columbia river to a liltle village just above the mouth, and 
on the west bank of the Cowlitz river, called Monticello; whence, taking a light Indian canoe, (a 
barge or bateau should not be used at this season of the year,) you go up the Cowlitz about 
thirty-two miles to Cowlitz landing. Thence there is a good road to this place, the distance 
being about sixty miles. From Vancouver to Monticello the distance is forty-five to forty-eight 
miles. Should you be compelled to come this way, go to the Dalles by land, provided you are 
not compelled to purchase animals; thence to Vancouver by the Columbia river, (you can prob¬ 
ably get through for about seven dollars per man,) and to this point by land; unless, again, you 
are obliged to purchase animals. I send herewith a note directing Mr. Pambrun, Sergeant 
Martin, and Mr. Swissler to deliver up such animals as you may select, or to receive from you 
such as you may deliver up, giving you receipts therefor. You should have a descriptive list of 
each animal, and they should, if practicable, be branded. On the two trails from Wallah- 
Wallah to the Dalles, and from Columbia barracks to this point, the animals should be in good 
order at this season of the year; packs should not be more than one hundred pounds, and at 
least half a bushel of oats, barley, or corn, should be taken along for each animal. 
Very truly, yours, ISAAC I. STEVENS. 
A. W. Tinkham, Esq., Fort Wallah-Wallah. 
N. B.—The enclosed sketch will show how the trail from the pass connects with Sinahomish 
river and Tort Gardner, with the White River valley, and Elliott’s bay. Alki and Seattle are 
