Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-12-08

'oo0i, nave competed II 10 the falls. The
data will then be collected for an official re.
port.
Much has been said about the obstruc-
tions to railroads from snow, and this will
be the great objection to this route. We
shall, during the winter, collect many facts
bearing upon this question, by meteoroloe-
lcal post which have established at Fort
Benton, under Mr.. Doty, and one which
propose TO establish at St. Mary's under
Mr.. Mulan. But more is to be done. 1t.
Grover, man of iron nerve and great re.
sources, will start from this point in Janu
ary with dog train, and will in the dead of
winter pass over the whole route 10 the Pa
chic, crossing the Rocky Mountains, and
the Bitter Root and Cascade ranges. 1t
seems an impracticab!e undertaking; but
know Lieut.. Grover and do not doubt its
successful accomplishment.
In consequence of Lieut.. Saxton.br;ngine
more men to the work, | have decided TO
send back all but three of the Dragons at
tached to the expedition. Iadvised several
of the hired men, in my judgment, not good
mountain men enough for the duty before
us, 10 return also. They cntreated me 10
go on. Not one wishes to turn back. Eve
ry man wishes 10 identify himself with the
work before us, and the utmost confidence
prevails.
In the Cascade Range that gallant and
able officer, Capt. Mcclellan, ore Of nv
noble brothers in Mexico, Is now ascertain.
ing the most practicable pass, and in one
month hope 10 exchange congratulations
with him al the entire success Of our un-
dertakirg.
Lieut.. SAXON will go down the Missouri
in charge Of the returned men, and to carry
information to the department in Washing
ton Of the condition of the exploration be-
fore the session of Congress. As an cy;-
dence Of my sense of his services, pub
llshed an order, of which | send YOU
copy.
Lieut. Donelson, in charge of the main
party brings 10 his duty great force of
character, high intelligence, and an unsur-
passed diligence and fidelity.
But our experience among the Indians is
as extraordinary as unexpected. We have
travcrsed the region OF the terrible Black
feet--have met them in war parties and in
their camps, and have received nothing but
kindness and hospitality.
They have brought..us fresh meat, guided
us on our way, brought into camp strayed
animals, and have guarded us while we
slept. Not one of our men ha; been
touched, not the smallest thing has been
taken. We were vending our way 10 the
northern Blackfeet camps when was called
back by the express informing me Of Leut.
Saxton's arrival-a little party surrounded
by our Blackieet friends, and not even
keeping any guard whatever at night. ]
treated them as true friends, took them Of
their word, and directed all my men to 90
down TO sleep. Lieut.. Saxon had precise
ly the same experience with the Indians
west of the mountains. At this moment
Mr.. Stanley, the artist OF the expedition.
with four men, is in their midst, under the |
both parallel, and am now awaiting his
return, to push forward and Join Lieut..
Donelson. The government has yet done
nothing for these Indians, and have invi-
ted them to Fort Benton to give them mes
sage from the great father, and to ascertain
whether they will agree for all time 10 come
to treat all whites as they have treated me
and mine.
These Indians range from the Sastcatcha-
wah 10 the California trail, and in the win.
ter have their lodges on the Milk and Mis-
souri, rivers. Milk river, the principal
northern tributary of the Missouri, instead
of running north into British Territory, as
laid down on all the maps, runs nearly due
west to within one hundred miles of the
mountains, and then DETECTING rapidly to
the north has its sources in the Cypress
mountain, and the adjacent spurs of the
Rocky Mountains. At the base of the
mountains, between Milk river and the
forks of the Missouri, the country is pla-
teau rising gently to the several passes, in
every direction practicable for a railroad. -
There are several tributaries flowing
through it to the Missouri, and several very
Lofty bulieS, three over three thousand feet
abSe the plateau.
The Milk river line affords extraordinary
facilities for building railroad, and has
natural connection with every pass.
The country south of Missouri to the
Black Hills, and that between the Milk
and Missouri rivers has been explored by
DR.. Evans, the geologist Of the expedition,
uhO has NJ oDlx, ,,,aJo ~,.,,