The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-15

tons 10 collect information of the region
in the neghborhood Of the ~ mary valley has mel ana
from other tribes and has gained the most accurate IN
formation in reference TO the habits numbers and thor
oughres Of the Indians who cross the mountains TO the
Missouri plains. In examination made in December
and January he crossed the Rocky mountains four times
exploring many beautiful and some extensive valleys
tending his route Fort Hall and accomplishing an ag-
gre2ate distance OF 100 miles The Washington Ter
ory Indians he reports bearing in patience the stealing
horses and the loss of from the parties OF the
Backieet having faith that the government will uu-
inaely protect them Their heroic character and good
faith are signaly exhibited in the following pathetic
incident which occurred In November last referred 10
by Lieut. Muan and reported by Mr. Doty in these words
On the LIST of November six Pend dOrse Indians came
10 this post and delivered up all the horses that sto
leu II appears that they taken by two young Pend
d0rees and the Pend doreille camp then hunting
beyond the Muscle Shell under the command OF the chief
Of that nation Alexander The horses recognised
by the stamps belonging 10 the whites and the young
confessed having stolen them at this post council
was held and il determined that ii great sin to
steal horses from white who were friendly to them
that the wishes Of the Great Soldier Chief who had been
ST. Marys known 10 them and they had promised
compliance with them that stealing these horses would
give the Pend dOreiles the of liars and ters that
they had always borne good name and were ashamed to
have things said of them therefore the horses
be taken back by the great chief and five principal
men of the tribe. Accordingly they boldly TO the
Fort and delivered up the horses without asking any re-
ward but on the contrary expressing much sorrow ana
shame that they had been taken
Thus these six Indians proved themselves not only hon
est but the highest degree coming as they did
five la,s and nights march into enemys country sim
ply to do Of justice to strangers They remained
here days, and departing accompanied by Mr.
Clark and myself fifteen twenty miles their journey.
During their stay here number Of Piegan warriors
about the Fort became very troublesome to the strangers
much SO, that were compelled to detail strong
guard for their protection.
Suitable presents given them from the Indian goods
left with me-
In communication from the St Marys valley late
the 9th of March learn that Lieut. Muan was then his
way Fort Benton expostuate with the Backfeet end
that the Backfect and Crows at to the south
Whilst however the tribes OF the Territory OF Washng
ton consisting mainly of the Flatheads Pend dOrees,
Cceur Aenes Spoanes and Nez Perces and three
thousand of whom hunt the Missouri plains each year,
and whilst the chiefs present ut Fort Benton
with their promises yet were so many Backteet war
parties the trail as during the past winter says Mr.
Doty.
About hundred principally Piegans have passed this
post their way to war, since October LIST about
hundred induced to turn back. In the same time
eight hundred or one thousand warriors have passed
above and below the Fort their way to the Flathead
Snakes and Crows have from time to time heard Of
large parties of Bood Backee and Gros Venters the
march, and parties constantly going from the different
bands
Several of the chiefs have taken a decided stand for
peace and keep the warriors of their bands at home
summer the white soldiers will stop therefore let
steal this winter all the horses can and yet single
white go in safety throughout their country, and win
be treated with hospitality His only danger would be
that he might night be mistaken for Indian and thus
lose both his horses and his scalp
In this connexon will call attention to the Importance
conclatng these Indians that in the event Of war;
they may be friends The trading posts OF the ud
sons Bay Company extend to the north from the Red river
settlements TO the Rocky mountains and their influence
the Indians has been great competition for the
trade of the Blacket exists between the American
posts the Missouri and the British posts the Sascac
avian and il is alleged by Mr. Doty that at the British
posts whiskey is furnished the Indians satisfied
such nearious traffic is carried at any American post
the Missouri The Blackeet general thing, prefer
government extended TO them they will
I've under foreign influence.
But the character of the Rocky -mountan region cons
tung the boundary between these tribes its adaptation
settlement the large quantity OF arabic and grazing land
and the abundance Of wood and water afford additional
for the holding of this council The country must
and rapidly be settled i will mention few charec
terstic facts.
West Of the Rocky mountain divide and at an average
distance of less than hundred miles the valleys Of
the St Mary and Flathead rivers, the having its
in the divide whence water flows to the Snake
river the south and and to the three forks Of the
Missouri the east and running nearly due north the
other having its in British territory and running
nearly due south these rivers meet and form Carks Fork
and they furnish separated only by low divide their
confluence almost continuous valley adapted to agn
culture and grazngthe climate mild that cattle need
oddering in the winter and the mountain slopes and
spurs furnishing ncxhausble supplies OF lumber and fuel
From the very divide several and rich valleys de-
seend the ST Mary and the Flahead rivers the
principalthe Big Baceet the Little Blackeet and the
Hell Gate rivers-debouchng from the mountains at sim
gle point named Hell Gate These the
two latter great thoronghares for Indians and
the general character TO midness climate and free
dom from deep shows the st Mnrys valley The arabic
land of the divide and In the very heart Of the
tans cannot be less than five six thousand square miles
for il be remarked that II is not simply the valleys
referred TO which 90 10 make up the general estimate but
many lateral valleys be incudedsome and those
peeay in the vicinity OF the Fathead lake being OF
markable beauty and fertility.
East Of the mountains the country from the divide sepa-
rating Of the three forks Of the Missouri from
those OF Snake river far north the Maras river is
of extraordinary richness grazing country and there
are many and extensive well adapted agriculture
The several river bottoms Of the Naria Teton Medicine
Dearborn and some smaller further TO the south
arc well supplied with cotton wood In the region OF the
three forks the Missouri the country though well adapt
cd to grazing Is rather deficient in wood
The change in the character Of the country crossing
the divide and descending the valley Of the Snake river
Fort Hail. Is remarkable Lieut. Muan reports thai In the
whole distance Of hundred miles the term serility is
alone expressive Of the country there being but fertile
spot and that Canonmen Loring five miles from Fort
Hall
Maras, Immediately east Of the mountains will furnish
several thousand square miles OF excellent arabic land be-
sides much larger quantity OF pastnrage OF opi-
ion that ten 90 twelve thousand square miles will be low
estimate OF the valleys adapted agriculture ia the very
heart Of and Immediately east and Of the mountains
in the region between the Blacklist and the Indian tribes
Of the Territory Of Washington. These valleys present
many celebrated landmarks, which pointed out by
the Indian guides the memcntoes Of Indian strife,
The character Of the country taken In conuexon with
the facilities Of this route I'M the excellence of the passes
the abundance of nood grass and water and the navga
biy Of the Missouri by steamers to the vicinity Of the
Great Falls must 20 to chow the necessity OF the con-
ell not simply for the protection Of the Indian tribes but
for the protection of citizens forming nuclei Of
settlements IN the vicinity of the Great Falls and In the ST