The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-22


East Of the mountains, the country from the d.
vide separating the waters Of the three forks Of the
Missouri from those of Snake river as far north as
the Marias river il one OF extraordinary richness
as grazing country, and there ae many and ex-
tensve tracts well adapted to agriculture. The Sc
veral river bottoms of the Mlrias, Teton Medicine,
Dearbon, and some smaller streams further to the
SOUTH are well supplied with cotton wood. La the
region OF the three forks of the Missouri, the coun-
try. though well adapted to grazing Is rather deh-
cient in wood.
The change in the character of the country on
crossing the divide and descending tue valley or
the Snake river to Fort Hal! Is remarkable. Lieut..
Mullan reports that in the whole distance OF one
hundred miles the term sterihty is alone expressive
Of the country, there being but one fertile spot,
and that Cantonment Loring, five miles from Fort
Hall.
The valleys from the three forks of the Missouri
to the Marias, Immediately east of the mountains,
viii furnish several thous md square miles OF excel
lent arabic land, besides much larger quantity OF
pasturage ] am of opinion that ten to twelve thou
sand square miles will be low estimate OF the val
leys adapted to agriculture in the very heart of and
Immediately east and west of the mountains in the
region between the Blackfeet and the Indian tribes
of the Teuito,y O. Washington. These valleys pre-
sent many celebrated landmarks, which were point
ed ont by the Indian guides as the memeZtoes OF
Indian strife
The character of the country, taken in connection
with the facilities Of this route, in the excellence OF
the passes, the abundance of wood, grass and wa
ter and the navigability of the Missouri by steam
ers to the vicinity of the Great Falls must go to
show the necessity of the council, not simply for
the protection of the Indian tribes but for the pro-
lection of citizens forming nuclei of settle
ments in the vicinity fthe 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,
and SO favorable is the route for wood, water and
grass that have no doubt that emigrants to these
Territories will seek it from the line OF the Platte
who have lived years on the Yellow Stone, and are
familiar with all the passes in the Black hills am
satisfied that the northern passes can be reached
from the line of the Platte at several points between
routes is an obvious advantage in case Of a large
emigration, which is going on this year, and is likely
to go on for some years to come.
The navigabilty Of the Missouri to the vicinity of
the Great Falls, for steamers of from eighteen to
twenty inches, ut all seasons of the year when the
river is not obstructed by ice, and for steamers of
from thirty to trtysix inches, for one half of the
season, determined by the recent survey of that
Eeel-boats drawing twenty two inches at the lowest
stage, Tightening at several points, and for keel
boats of eighteen inches without Tightening, has
important bearing on this question. Indeed the
members OF the fur companies who have been, or
are now, in charge OF posts on the MissOur-as
Robert Campbell, Alexander Culbertson, Mr. Clarke
and others-simply from their own practical eXpe-
rience in the use of fese keelboats have long
been satisfied to the navigability of this river
for steamers, and would not hesitate to employ them
did their business warrant it. The head of steam
boat navigation on the Missouri river is only about
1--WE hundred miles from that on the Columbia, and
it cannot be doubted that it will prove important
route of communication. The experience OF the
Nicaragua transit route when iron-hull sternwheel
boats, drawing trom l3 to II inches of water, and
carrying four hundred passengers with their bag
gage, and of the Allegheny river in Pennsylvania,
and the little Tombigbee in Alabama, is conclusive
on this question.
have submitted the practical difficulties of the
navigation of the Missouri with its currents rapids,
sand bars, and sudden reflections to the considera
ton of experienced men who have been the pioneers
on these rivers, and are skilled both in the con-
struction and the running OF boats, and they are
satisfied that steamers of very considerable tonnage
and carrying many passengers, can be used on this
river the entire distance to the vicinity of the Falls
and company now in Oregon, who are running
templating extending another season the line of the
Columbia, from its present terminus at the Dalles,
to Wallab Wallah.
The Missouri river furnishes the natural channel
for the supplying of goods for the proposed Indian
council at Fort Benton and also for the permanent
supply of goods to Indians in the eastern portion of
the Territory of Washington.
Should action be had in this matter till so late
period of the session that the council cannot be
held t another year, it nevertheless ought to be
made this session, in order that timely notice may
be given to the Indians, the preparations be made
with care, and nothing omitted to secure its COM
plete success. The funds will be wanted for the
fiscal year for which appropriations are now being
made, and the Indians now looking forward to the
council viii feel that they have been triled with,
unless definite nfoIm nation can be given to them in
relation to it the present year.
submit these facts and considerations with the
earnest hope that, when placed before Congress,
they may show the absolute necessity of the council
to the preservation of peace among the Indians and
the protection of the property and persons of our
citizens and that the present opportunity may be
awaited of, when these tribes DESTROYS to be on
permanent relations of amity with our government
and with each other. l am, sir, very respectfully,
your most obedient, ISAAC I. STEVENS
Governor and Superintendent Of Territory of
Washington.
Hon. George W. Manypenny, Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, Washington, D. G.