The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-12-17

ably benefited by q line Of communication con-
Meeting the great lakes with the Pacific, and
men competent to give an opinion. say that no
thing is to be feared from deep SHOWS on such q
line.
Arrival from FortvBenion.
From the st. Louis Republican, Of Nov. IL.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr.. John c.
Tevis. of this city, and Mr.. Alexander Culbert-
son. of Fort union, who had just arrived from
Fort Benton. In company with them on this
trip was Lieut. Saxton. U. S. Army, who had
been ordered by the Government to take sup
plies of provisions, &c. from the Pacific and to
deposit them at the st. Mary's. for the use of
Gov. Stevens. Having performed this service.
he and his command were ordered to the States.
A son of Col. Graham. Washington, and Mr..
Hoyt, attached to the expedition, were also of
the returning party. They descended the river
from For. Benton. within thirty miles of the
falls the Missouri, in keel boat to st. Joseph
and there took q steamboat for St. Louis. Lieut..
Saxton, who is bearer of dispatches from Gov.
Stevens, left yesterday tor Washington.
After the arrival of Gov. Stevens and his par
ty of exploration at Fort Union, of which we
have heretofore given an account, portions of
the goods intended rs presents to the Indians
were distributed to the Assincboins, and they
were greatly pleased. Before that time Mr..
Cuibertson, whose influence over the Indians of
that region is unbounded. had; ne gotiatcd a
treaty of peace and friendship between the AS
sinebOins and the Picgans, a branch of the
Blackfeet tribe.
These tribes have been at continual war with
each other but it is sthe opinion of Mr.. Gull
bertsOn that it may be productive of beneficial
results. if followed up in proper and cOncilia-
tory spirit by the Government. Similar treat
les might be concluded with other tribes; and
it is believed that, if the tribes are secured in
their property against the deprcdations of each
other, the disposition to war upon each other
will be greatly lessened.
Gov. Stevens arrived at Fort Union, from St.
Paul, on the LIST of August There he remain
cd for the purpose of allowing some rcpOsc to
his party, and to recruit his mules, until the
10th of the month. He then started for Fort
Benton, accompanied by Mr.. Culbertson and
Mr.. Teyis. Fort Benton is 1915 miles from Fort
Union. as ascertained by an OdOmeter.
On the first day out and when the camp had
been formed. the imprudent conduct of one of
the junior officers Of the command was near be-
ing productive of serious consequences. A
lar &c party of Indians approached the cncamp-
mcnt, within what the officer conceived to he
too near n distance. He ordered them off in
manner which greatly incensed them. They
resisted the order, and it is probable that seri-
Gus difficulties would have followed if Mr.. Gull
bcrtsOn had not been present. He interfered to
prevent hostiities. and the matter was settled
At the distance of l25 miles from Fort Union
the party struck Milk River-which is very in
accurately laid down on all the maps hitherto
published-and followed it's course. chiefly, on
the north bank. for about $50 miles, in nearly a
due west direction. The country is mainly
prairie, interspersed with skirts of timber, and
is entirely practicable for railroad. After
crossing Milk River finally, they pursued the
same westerly direction to Fort Benton.
Between the mouth of Milk River and the
Fort, two remarkable mountains are formed
one of them, Little Rocky, evidently of volca-
mic origin. aud the other, the Bears Paw, of
entirely different formation. These mountains
are detached from each other.
The party arrived at Fort Benton on the LIST
September. They were supplied with abund-
ance of game, and the weather was very plea
SAINT.
On the'23d, they were entertained at the vii
lagc of the Gros Ecntres of the Prairies in most
hospitablc style; 800 Indians were present.
and the party spent u day and half with them
They were greatly pleased with the present Of
trinkets &c. which Governor Stevens was pre-
pared to make them.
The Governor caused his hOwitZcr to DC fired
and they were filled with establishment at its
effects. A war party of the Blackfcet was also
met, on an expedition against the Snake Indians
but Gov. Stevens made speech to them, and
induced them to abandon the expedition
After his arrival at Fort Benton, Gov. Ste
vens and Mr.. Cnlbertson started upon a visit TO
the Piegans, about $50 miles distance, and in
the British territory; but they were recalled by
an express announcing the arrival of Lieut..
Saxton and his escort from the Pacific.
AS We have already stated Lieut.. Saxton
was ordered to make deposits of provisions at
St. Mary's. and other points, for Gov. Stevens S
use. He crossed the Rocky Mountains at what
is known as the Blackfect Trail, but as We did
not see him. our information about his route is
very deficient.
Capt Mcclellan, L. S. A. it was understood
was engaged in the survey of the Cascade range
of mountains. and expecting to connect with
Gov. Steyens's survey.
| Lieut. Grover was detached from the main
party and ordered to examine the Missouri Ri
yer from Fort Benton to Fort Union. Thence
he was ordered to cross the mountains in the
winter, so as TO ascertain the peculiar charac-
tcrisics of the country at this season. 1t is a
perlOus trip, and if he succeeds will be full of
incident.
! Mr.. Tevis and one or two of his friends visit
ed the Falls Of the Missouri. distant 80 miles
from Fort Benton. The Falls present a SPLEEN
did appearance. At this point-the river about
400 yards widc-the fall is about 40 feet into
an apparently bottOmless chasm.
Long before you reach it, the spray is seen
from the prairie, ascending to the skies and the
mountains in the distance, on every side, give
the whole scene most magnificent appear
ance Very few white men have ever visited
these Falls, but the time will come when they
will become objects of curiosity and thousands
will find their way to them.
1t may be gratifying to the friends of Gov
Stevens's party to know that they were, with
out exception, in the enjoyment of excellent
health. The detachment of dragons, with
Lieut. SaytOn, came down on the same boat and
proceeded to Jefferson Barracks.
The deposit of provisions made at St. Mary's,
is point about 200 miles west of Fort Benton,
and on the west side of the mountains. 1t is
the site of missionary station, established some
years ago by Father lie Smect but from which
the missionaries were expelled by the hostility
of the Indians.
Gov. Stevens and his party would follow the
same route to the Columbia or Fort Vancouver,
that Lieut.. SaNtOn had come
Lieut. Saxton reports the pass through the