The daily Minnesota pioneer., 1854-06-28

the valleys of the ST. Mary and Flathead rivers, the
one having its source in the divide, whence water
flows to the Snake river the south and west, and
to the three forks Of the Missouri the east, and
running nealy due north the other having its
IN British territory, and running nearly due south;
these rivers meet and form CErk's Fok, and they
furnish, separated only by low divide their
confluence, almost continuous valley, adaated to
agriculture and to grazing-he climate mild that
cattle need 10 food ring in the winter, and the uso':r,-
tain slopes and spurs furnishing neXhausiblc supplies
Of l,,uber and fuel. From the very divide several
streams and rich valleys descend the ST. Mary ard
the Fathead rivers; the three principa-the Big
Blackfeet, the Little Blackfee, and the Hell Gate
r,vers-debouching from the mountains at single
point named He'll Gate These last, particularly the
two latter, great thoroughfares for Indians, and
are of the same general character, to mildness of
climate and freedom from deep SHOWS, the ST.
Mary's valley. The arabic land west OF the divide,
and in The very heart OF the mountains, cannot be
less than five to six thousand square miles, for it
must be remal kcd that not Simply the valleys
ferred to which 90 make up the general estimate,
bu, many lateral valleys must be incudcd-some. and
those especially in the vicinity of the Fa,head lake,
being of remarkable Leauty and fertility.
East of the mountains, the country from the divide
separating the waters of the three forks Of the Mis-
snl,,i from those of Snake river far north the
| Marias river, is of extraordinary richness as
grazing country and there are many and extensive
tracts we'll adapted to agriculture. The several river
bottoms OF the Maras, Teton, Me'iIcne, Dcarboh,
supplied with cotton wood. In the region Of the
three forks of the Missouri, the country, though well
adapted to grazing, is rather deficient in wood
| The change in the character of the country, on
crossing the divide and descending the valley OF the
Snake river to Fort Hall, is remarkable. Lieut..
Muiian reports that in the whole distance OF one
huadred miles. the term se,iy is alone expressive
of the country, there being but fertile spot, and
that Cantonnent loring, five miles from Fort Hall.
The valleys from the three forks of the Missouri
/ To he ,iI:fp ot he
will irnsh al thousand square miles of excel
eat arabic land, besides much larger quantity OF
pasturase. am of opinion that ten to twelve thou-
sand square miles will lie low estimate of the val
eys adapted to agriculture in the very heart of, and
immediately east and west of The mountains in the
gion between the Backtet and The Indian tribes of
the Territory of Washington. These valleys present
many celebrated landmarks, which were pointed out
by the INDIAN guides the menentoes of Indian
strife.
The character of the country, taken ia ccnne, ion
with the facilities Of this route, the excellence of
the passes the abundance of wood, err,s, and water,
and the naviy,biliiy of the Missouri by to
the vicinity of the Great Falls, must 90 to show the
necessity Of the council not simply for the protection
OF the Indian tribes but for the protection of our cit
izens forming, nuclei of settlements in the vici
ty of the Great Falls, and in the St. Marys valley,
and vending their way to the Territories Of Oregon
and Washington on this route.
! party is said to be now starting from Minnesota
grass that emgrants to the Territories will seek it
from the line of the Platte. From most expert
enced hunters and tappers, who have lived years on
the Iellowsone and are familiar with all the passes
in the Black Ilills satisfied that the northern
passes can he reached from the lime Of the Platte at
several points between Council Bluffs and Fort Lara
mie. choice of routes is an obvious advantage in
case OF a large emigration, which is going on this
year. and rs likely to 90 for some V to
The navagably of the Missouri to the vicinity t
thn Falls
cs, at all Of the year, when the river is
ob>tructed by ice. and for steamers of from 30 to 36
inches, for one half of the season. determined by the
recent of that river and to be ntcr red from
its naviyabilt, for Keel boats drawing % inches {
the lowest stage ghieIing at several points, and Tor
kec! boats Of 1S inches without li,hierng. has IN
Important bearing on this qurSii N. Indeed, the
members of the fur companies wiio have been
now ne" in charge of posts on the Mis.omi1 Rober
others-sIlnriy from their practical experience
in the of these keel boats have long been salts
fed to the n,vigabii,y OF the river for steamers, and
would not hesitate to employ them did their business
warrant it. The head Of steamboat navigation on
the Missouri river is only about five hundred miles
from that on the CoIunbia and it cannot be doubted
that 1t vii! prove an Important route OF cCmmInca-
ton, The expc, iencc of the Nicaragua transit route
wien lron-hm stern wheel boats, drawing from IL
to II inches OF water, and ing four hundi ed
passengers with their baggage, and of the AIlcghany
river IN Pennsy lvanIa, and the little Tombigbec in
A'alira, Is conclusive on this question:.
have submitted the practical difficulties Of the
navigation of the Missouri, with its currents, rapids
sand bars, and sudden decc ons to the colsidela-
ton of experienced men who have been the pioneers
on these rivers, aud arc skilled both in the coIsruc
hon and the running of beats, and they satisfied
that steamers Of very considerable tonnage, and ca
rHhg many passengers can be used on this river the
entire distance to the vicinity OF the Falls; and a
company now in Oregon, who running line of
steamers on the Upper Willamette, are contemplating
extending another seas'n the line of the columbia,
from lis present terminus at the Dales, to Wallah
Wal!ah.
, The Missouri river frni, hes the natural chann
tor the supply ing of goods for the proposed Indian
Council at Fort Benton, and also for the permanent
supply Of goods Indians in the eastern portion OF
the Territory of Washington.
Should 10 action be had in this matter till so late
Period of the session that the council cannot be
held TIL another wear, it nevertheless Oug hit TO he
made this session, in order that timely may I've
gwen to the Indians, the preparations be made with
care, and nothing omitted to secure its complete
cess The funds will be wanted for the fiscal year
Tor which appropriations are now being made and
the Indians now looking forward to the council will
feel that they have been rifed with, cnIe>s definite
information can be given to them in relation to it the
present year.
] submit these facs and considerations, with the
earnest hope that when slaced before Congress- they
show the absolute necessity of the council the
! reservation of peace among the indians, and the
protection of the property and persons of citizens
and that the present opportunity may be availed Of
when these tribes are desrous to be Termant rea-
) tons of amity with our government and with each
other.
am, sir, very respectfully,
\ our mos, ol,e,Iirnt,
ISAAC |. STEVENS,
Governor and Suprrntedcnt
of Territory of Washington.
, Hon. GEORGE w. MANYPENNY,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
. W.Shipcton -