, 1854-02-11

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amount of government property. He is
good topographcr, and during the expedi
ton has rendered valuable service in The
astronomical and magnetic department.
lie VIII collect much data in regard to the
tribes OF Indians trading at this post. anC
add muchto our limited knowledge of thi,
region, and make valuable series of mag
nctie observations.
At the st. Mary's village wintcr most
will be established, in charge of Lieut
Mullen. lie has been instructed to exam,
inc the lateral valleys and passes after the
SHOWS have driven him out of the passes Of
the mountains; make survey of the coun,
try from the Koolcnair post on the north
to Fort Hall on the south, and thus con.
meet our survey with that of Col Fremont
He is fine young officer, indcfatigable
in the ncrformance Of his duties, and pop
ular in the command. Much valuable me-
teorological information in regard to SHOWS,
&c, during the winter, will be Obtained
The establishment Of this post is essential
to the success of Lieut.. Growers way train.
The survey is not yetfnished, but enough
is known to speak adyiscdly, A practica-
bic line has been found connecting the
Mississippi with the Pacific Further ex-
aminations are to develop the best lines
Lieut.. SaXtm reports Badot's Pass to be
some $500 feet lower than the South Pass:
in ten days the survey by Lieut.. Donelson
will test this result. 'Hli.f
, On this side we have found several good
lines.
We found the Milk River, which on the
maps is set down as running north into
British territory, running nearly due West
on the level plateau, of which we travelled
many days, coming to this point, gradually
ascending toward the mountains, and fur
nishing a good approach, whatever pass
may hereafter be decided upon. dae
In all departments Of the work, have
been encouraged with the greatest success,
sustained and supported BY the gentlemen
Of my scientific corps / take pleasure in
attesting to the assiduity and cheerfulness
with which they have performed their la
bors ....
In the field Of natural history we were
particularly successful in securing the ser
vices Of Dr. George Suckleyl1 Young, i'm
pulsive and brilliant, he has collected much,
and infused desire to colleet specimens in
the minds of all. ...l ff - ...-.
J. M. Stanley, Esq, the artist of the
expedition, has taken great many sketch
es Illustrative of the progress Of the expedi-
ton, besides taking at various points on
the way numerous daguerreotypes Of Indi-
ans. His reputation, already so well es-
tablished, cannot be enhanced by any ref
erence to his satisfactory discharge Of duty.
In the other scientific fields entire salts
faction has been given, and at a proper
time shall take occasion to notice my OBJ
legation to the gentlemen concerned. fScc
Note.
Difficulty has been anticipated along our
route from the various Indian tribes ihhab-
iting the country through which We were.
obliged to pass, and much annoyance was
predicted from the notorious Blackfeet ma
ton In our intercourse with them, how
ever, we have experienced in all cases the
utmost kindness, and they have received Us
on all occasions with hospitality Before
reaching Fort Union we met the large en-
campment of Assimboins, originally one Of
the tribes of the Sioux nations. With them
we spent nearly day, and had ''talk'A
a conference-making them few presents,
and receiving from them a present of some
robes and skins.
West of Fort Union we have met the
Indians in their eneampments and in their
war parties; we have camped near them,
and for days have they accompanied Our
train, and to this time have yet to learii
of the loss of o single article Of Value
Not horse has been stolehLnot a man
molested Our little reconnoiteFing par
ties have gone out TO the side of our line, I
accompanied by Indians as guides, and
when called back BY the express sent by
Lieut.. Doneson to announce the approach
of Lieut.. Saxton, accompanied by six white
men, l was on my way to the large en-
campment of the Pegans to accept an invi-
tation made by several Of their chiefs to
visit them and inform them of the inten-
tious of the great Father toward their peo-
pie. Much might be said in this place
about them; but lean only say that they
have treated us with the most generous
kindness. acting not only as our guides and
expresses, but when our animals have
strayed, or feeble animals have fallen be-
hind, they have recovered them for us and
brought them back; in some cases they
have acted as our sentinels at night; in
every way they have been friendly and
useful to us.
But little anxiety need be felt as to
SHOWS in the mountains. There will be
none for month or more to o'impede our
progress, aud ample time will be afforded
during this and the carly part Of next
month for thorough examination of the
mountain passes. Snow now covers the
mountain peaks but in the valleys there
has yet none fallen. sfH
II is believed that by n DroDerly CON