The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-31


natural wagon-road, Until We reached the east
side OF the Rocky mountains. took particular notice
OF the country, and made the remark to Major Owen
that that would eventually be the great northern
route TO the Pacific ocean, not being then aware that
il was the very trail that Gov. Stevens had passed
correctness of his conclusions with regard to the
feasibility of road in that direction. Once in five
years. or thereabouts the passes may possibly be
closed with snow for a month or six weeks but l
do not think there would be any difficulty in passing
oftener than that, and it may never occur. There
are thousands of heads Of stock that never fed
IN the winter season. grass growing all winter il is
found kneehgh, and is species OF bunch grass that
keeps always green. In tB nuritye qualities it is
excellent that an animal completely run down will
get Eat upon it in six weeks The country is beauti
fully imbered with excellent soil and is finely
watered IL is only five hundred miles from the
navigable waters of The Missouri river to the nayiga
BILE waters of the Columbia river on the Pacific
side rE 81 HDiT 1EFt E al
On arriving at Fort Benton we found small skiff
of the American Fur Company about to leave for ST.
Josephs and ST. Louis. Down the river about 100
miles reached the mouth of the Judith river the
old Blackfeet treaty ground, where the Blackfeet
assemble 10 receive their annuities. We there found
some two hundred lodges Of Blackfeet and about
four hundred more were expected. We remained
there two days, guests OF Col Vaughan the Indian
agent of the Blackfeet tribe, and then continued
way down the river, passing the different forts, and
tons during our passage down the river at every
point whore it seemed probable that there might be
any obstruction to navigation, am able to express
the decided opinion that steamboat can be run
from ST. Louis to Fort Benton, distance Of 2 800
miles, and connect with the wagon road which
Lieut. Mullin is now carrying across the continent,
and thus open up that upper country. Some have
assumed that this northern wagon road and mail
route will be almost useless, in commercial point
of view, because we cannot preserve the tropical
Aata ,ha,
tans but when we remember that John Bull is
using every effort 10 establish railroad three hun
bred miles further north, and through country one
thousand per cent. more difficult, we cannot doubt
the practicabilty Of the project. But let it be
known that the United States government is about
TO establish mail route across that country, and
that there will be communication by steam from ST.
Louis and all the gold from the upper Pend dOreille
river, the Thompsons river mines, and Frasers river
will flow this way. In going up the Pend d0reille
river / prospected in several places, and never
failed of getting very bright color. and in some
instances obtained much as bit of gold to the
pan of earth. 1t is well known that Fraser's and
Thompson's river mines are rich great emigration
to them will next year from this side and by
having the northern route open the coming spring,
the whole emigration will be drawn that way. 1t
will open the country, especially on the western
side of the Rocky mountains, and in five years the
whole will be settled up. The best method of sub
DUNG the Indians is to plant white settlements
among them. The Indians viii then be compelled
to keep quiet and peaceable. M
This route is the great natural way for conveying
merchandise to the west side of the Rocky noun
tains to the eastern portions of Oregon and Wash
ngton and all the military stores for the posts to
be established might be carried by this route. The
expense would be nearly one hundred per cent less
than is submitted to in sending them around by
the Pacific side. 1t has been practically demonstra-
ted that it costs three dollars to take one dollars
worth of freight from Walla Wala to the Flathead
country, whereas it be delivered from this
side at a cost of not more than half dollar.
The country on the Missouri river, from Fort Ben
ton to Fort Union, distance of eight hundred miles,
is very barren and broken; but there is a coal lead
the bank of the river, running almost the whole
distance aud cropping out everywhere. The finest
specimens of camel coal also found on the Ma
rias river, some of which brought to St Louis
and pronounced fine camel coal as SEEN
and there is great quantity Of it. brought spe-
cimens of five different kinds from the Pend d Ore
e on the other side In addition to the coal there
are extensive deposits of lead The Indians brought
me several specimens of lead ORE one of which was
a large piece twice tho size of mans fist In re-
gard to wood, i will mention that on the Missouri
river, from tho mouth of the Judith down. where
ever point puts out into the river, some cotton
wood will be found Below Fort Union, it is well
timbered on the points, and it is good grazing
country although not very well watered above Fort
Clark. Here we began to find cultivated lands, and
to get into the settlements.