Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 1, Pt. 2

LETTER TO LIEUTENANT DONELSON.
of the quartermaster and commissary department. Camille is assigned as an interpreter, with
an Indian guide of the Flathead tribe.
Your general course will be by the Jocko river to the Clark's fork of the Columbia, thence to
where the fork was crossed by Lieutenant Saxton, westward of the Pend d'Oreille lake, taking
either the route passed over by Lieutenant Saxton, or some practicable route between Clark's
fork and the Kootenaies river, and thence to near the Spokane house, at the crossing of the
Spokane river. Assign to Mr. Lander such duties in connexion with the railroad estimate and
side reconnaissance as will give the best result. The Bitter Root river should be examined,
and the route by Clark's fork reviewed, even should the general route be more to the north.
At the Pend d'Oreille lake, a detached party, sent to Colville by the northern trail, might
intercept Captain McClellan; and at Colville, would be in a position to move westward to open
a connexion with his work. The Spokane crossing, near the Spokane house, is a central
position, trains leading therefrom both to Colville and Wallah-Wallah. At the crossing you
may expect intelligence of Captain McClellan's movements, and additional instructions either
from Captain McClellan or myself. Failing to receive intelligence or instructions, your general
course will be Olympia, by Wallah-Wallah, and the military road to Nisqually, and thence to
Olympia. But you have full discretion to reach Olympia, from the Spokane house, by any
other practicable route which may be detected in your progress through the country, taking the
precaution, however, to communicate with Wallah-Wallah, where instructions may await you
to the end, and by express purpose generally. At least-six good horses should be reserved by
you. The party to Colville by the northern trail, from the crossing west of the Pend d'Oreile
lake, place under the charge of Lieutenant Arnold, and instruct him, if he fail to hear from
Captain McClellan at Colville, to push beyond Colville to the base of the Cascade range; and
thence move to the south, along the eastern base of that range. Recollect the great object to be
accomplished, in the direction given by your operations, including those to Lieutenant Arnold,
is to connect your work with that of Captain McClellan, through the most practicable pass found
in the Cascade range by him; and to this every movement should tend. To this end you will
instruct Lieutenant Arnold, as he moves south, either to reach Olympia by Wallah-Wallah
and the military road, or by some other practicable route, as you may judge most judicious.
In reference to Lieutenant Arnold's party, I will suggest that it be immediately organized,
to be prepared for any duties of reconnaissance, on which it may be desirable to detach him,
previously to arriving at the Clark's fork crossing. It should be a most efficiently organized
party. Besides his brother's assistance in astronomical observations, it is desirable he should
have an assistant for the compass line and topography, and an assistant for barometrical observations. Endeavor so to organize his party, unless the deficiency of instruments renders it
impossible. I am of opinion that Mr. Lander's party should consist of not more than three
men besides himself. As you approach the country of the Kootenaies Indlians, every exertion
should be made to secure their services as guides, as they are said to be well acquainted with
the routes you will take. You are requested to obtain every information possible in reference
to the Indian tribes you may meet, and I can recommend Mr. Kendall as one who would render
much assistance in this important branch of the work. You are also requested to learn what
you can in reference to the missions situated in the vicinity of your route, and also of the
Hudson's Bay settlements; of both, whether their influence is beneficial or prejudicial to American interests in their neighborhood.
Enclosed you will find ]etters of introduction to officers in charge of Hudson's Bay posts at
Colville and Wallah-Wallah.
Truly yours, &c.,
ISAAC I. STEVENS,
fashington Territory, in Charge of Expedition.
Lieut. A. J. DONELSON,
United States Corps of Engineers.
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