, 1861-04-25
PROTECTION OF EMIGRANTs.


The following letter from Lieut. Mullan, L. s.
A., to Col. E. d. Baker, regarding an overland
immigration to Oregon and Washington during
the present season, has been submitted to the
War Department, through the Adjutant Gencr-
ais Office at Washington, for action, and we can
but confidently hope that its views may be car
ried out:
WAsnISGroN, D. C., March 4, s5l.
Col. f. D. BAKER, U. S. SENATE
Ny Dear Sir: In accordance with your de.
sires to learn something specific relating to the
opening up Of new lines Of communication to the
North Pacific, and fearing may not have the
lriSure to lay before you in person such points as
you request and which present themselves to me
the present time, would submit to you in
writing few suggestions that look towards the
movements and protection Of emigrants towards
Oregon and Washington Territory during the
coming season.
The Congress having passed an appropriation
Of $50, 1000 for the protection Of immigrants to-
wards the Pacific during the present season,
would refer more particularly to movements Of
companies Of emigrants towards Oregon and
Washington Territory and in this connection |
would respectfully recommend that as the
amounts are TO be expended on the three routes,
Northern, Central and Southern, that the ques
ton should assume the form Of the most advan-
tageons method Of so arranging the movements
that the greatest protection be had for those who
desire to make their homes In the North Paci-
ic.
The emigrants for Oregon and Washington
can start from two points--the one, say from ST.
Paul, on the Mississippi, and the ether from
LeaVenworth or some other Ioint on the Missouri.
The one following the usually Travelled route via
Forts Laramie and Hall through the South Pass
and the other the route pursued by Gov. Stev-
ems in 1858, and the two lines coming together
at Fort Walla Walla on the Columbia. For the
protection Of the immigration by each of these
lines would suggest the organization Of body
Of one hundred and fifty recruits, who, on arriV-
ing in the northern portion Of the Department
Of the Pacific, would I'll the vacancies daily oc-
curing in the companies and regiments now
therein stationed, and thus be O direct and an
economical route and method by which to send
troops into the Department Of the Pacific.
The transportation taken by these respective
commands will go materially to replace the old
and much used transportation now in use in that
Department T. Is movement would not only
supply vacancies in the regiments n that region,
but would add efficiency to the men, and as facts
and figures prove, save great expenditure to
the government, and be the means at no distant
day Of peOpling the highway via the Columbia
and Missouri rivers.
For movement from St Paul, nv own idea
would be to assemble not later than the 9th day
Of May, command Of $50 recruits, and let Il
be generally known that this body will form an
escort to move towards Oregon and Washington
on q specified date for the protection Of an over
land emigration. would give to this military
command transportation sufficient for supplies
for two months, which would take them to the
Yellowstone, at which point their supplies could
be replenished by stores from st. Louis on
steamers via the Missouri river, which supplies
could again be replenished at Fort Benton, am
pie to take them 10 Fort Walla Walla or to the
settlements short Of that place.
For those who go by the Platte and South
Pass route, their supplies could be sent out from
Fort Walla Walla 10 meet the trains at or near
Fort Boise. II the details Of the movements in
the hands Of discreet commander be well di-
gested, am saAguine 10 believe that the move
ments will not only be successful in themselves,
but be the means Of initiating under favorable
auspices q great project and enterprise that Look
forward to the peopling the rich and numerous
mountain valleysth lie between the navigable
waters Of, the Columbia and Missouri rivers, and
which must belt with continuous line Of settle!
ments the routes from 81. Paul and LeayenwOrth
to the Pacific. ''.
Hoping, sir, that the general outline herein
given may be endorsed BY you, and BY you laid
before the proper Departments to be By them
arranged as to It's details, and trusting that the
ends i aims q, the Peopling the north Pacific,
lam, Sir, truly and respectfully
Your obedient servant,
-it,-. y IJohs MuLLAN, Lieut.. .. s A. ).