Chapter 4: Primary Documents for Chapter 3
Document 1:
Extracts from Capt. Howard Stansbury, report to Col. John James Abert, Chief, Corps of Topographical Engineers, March 10, 1852, and submitted to the U. S. Senate on April 19, 1852.
Capt. Stansbury received orders on April 11, 1849, from the Department of War, to explore possible routes to and from the Great Salt Lake. During the summer and early fall of 1849, he traveled west with 18 soldiers, five wagons, and 46 horses and mules. His westward trip followed the already well-used Oregon Trail. In fact, a civilian party of six people, led by “Mr. Sackett,” traveling with a wagon and a carriage and with 15 animals, went with the Stansbury party all the way to Salt Lake. On his return trip, Stansbury explored a new route that the transcontinental railroad roughly followed almost two decades later. Some of his recommendations influenced choosing the route for a railroad, including the reports on the presence of coal in what is now southwestern Wyoming. Early in the report made to Congress three years after his trip, Stansbury acknowledged help from Lt. J. W. Gunnison, of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. “To high professional skill, he added energy, judgment, and an untiring devotion to the interests of the expedition, which very materially contributed to its success.” (introduction, p. 6). At least one woman traveled with the Sackett-Stansbury group. Stansbury wrote: “We thereby secured the society of an excellent and intelligent lady, who not only, by her cheerfulness and vivacity, beguiled the tedium of many a monotonous and wearisome hour, but, by her fortitude and patience endurance of exposure and fatigue, set an example worthy the imitation of many of the ruder sex.” (p. 14)
“[A]lthough the route taken by the party has been travelled by thousands of people, both before and since we passed over it, I have thought that some brief extracts from the daily journals of the expedition might not be without interest; for, although noting very new may perhaps be elicited, still it is not improbably that they will convey, to such as peruse them, a more correct idea of what the thousands have had to encounter who have braved this long journey in search either of a new home in Oregon, or of that more alluring object–the glittering treasure of California….” (p. 25)
“Before leaving Salt Lake Valley, it had been determined not to return by the beaten track, but to endeavor to ascertain the practicability of some more direct route than that now travelled to the waters of the Atlantic. If it should prove to be practicable to carry a road across the north fork of the Platte, near the Medicine Bow Butte and, skirting the southern limit of the Laramie Plains, to cross the Black Hills in the vicinity of the heads of Lodge-pole Creek, and to descend that stream to its junction with the South Fork of the Platte, nearly a straight line would thus be accomplished from Fort Bridger, and the detour through the South Pass and valley of the Sweetwater as has all the ruggedness of the Black Hills, upon that line, be entirely avoided. The country through which the proposed line would pass was represented as entirely practicable and as affording every probability of success….” (p. 229)
“At a point thirteen miles from the mouth of Bitter Creek, we found a bed of bituminous coal cropping out of the north bluff of the valley, with every indication of its being quite abundant. For the first seven or eight miles after entering the valley, the formation was similar to that of Rabbit Hollow and Green River, and the strata horizontal; they then began to dip gradually to the west and north-west, until at this point, the elevation had reached 30 degrees. The coal was of the same character as found on Sulphur Creek, near the crossing of Bear River, alternated in beds of various thickness, form a few inches to several feet, with yellowish and light-gray sandstones. Major Bridger informed me that, about a mile from the mouth of the creek, a large bed existed, which, from his description, resembled lignite, but which, owing to other occupations, I had passed without observing. One of the men reported to me that he had noticed it, and had seen a piece of coal lying in the bed of the creek as long and as thick as a man’s body. This had apparently fallen from an outcrop in the south bank, which was about four feet in thickness. Major Bridger also stated that a similar bed is to be found to the south of the mouth of Black’s Fork, that he had used it for years, and that it burned freely, with a clear, white blaze, leaving little residuum, except a small white ash. …”(Entry for Sept. 14, p. 234).
“Having now brought our reconnoissance for a new route from the waters of the Pacific to a point where its results can be at least approximately ascertained, it is very gratifying to be able to state that these results are, in a high degree, satisfactory; more so, indeed, than I had anticipated.
It has been ascertained that a practicable route exists through the chain of the Rocky Mountains, at a point 60 miles south of that now generally pursued, and in a course as much more direct as the chord of an arc is than the arc itself.
“A glance at the map, and a little attention to the table of latitudes, will show that from Great Salt Lake City to the head of Lodge-pole Creek, a distance of 484 miles, the difference of latitude is but 35′ 42”; and that while the greatest northing made by the proposed line is but little more than 20′ north of Lodge-pole Creek, the greatest deviation to the south is but little more than three miles; so that the entire route through that long distance varies but a trifle from a straight line. When extended to the junction of Lodge-pole with the South Fork of the Platte, it will appear to be the chord of an arc formed by the present course of emigration.
“The distance from Fort Bridger to Fort Laramie, by the present route, is 408 miles; while, by the new route from Fort Bridger to the eastern base of the Black Hills, (a point equidistant with Laramie from the forks of the Platte,) it is but 347 miles; so that a saving is effected, in the total distance, of just 61 miles. It must be kept in mind, too, that the distance thus ascertained was measured by an odometer, following all the undulations of the natural surface, in the course of a very rapid reconnoissance, without any minute knowledge of the localities, or any endeavor whatever to make even an approximate location for a road. When these localities come to be minutely examined, and the comparative advantages of different courses ascertained and duly weighed, there can be no doubt that even this large saving in distance may be still further increased, by shortening the route wherever it shall be found practicable.
“The examination of the country proved it [to] be more favourable than we had at first supposed. For even after so successfully crossing the summit dividing the Pacific from the Atlantic waters, serious fears were still entertained lest some formidable, if not insurmountable obstruction, should be encountered in the character of the ridge of the Black Hills, intervening as it does between the Laramie Plains on the west and the great slope to the Atlantic that commences at their eastern base. All apprehensions on this head were, however, set entirely at rest by the reconnoissance, whic fully demonstrated the existence of a route through these hills, not only practicable, but free from an obstructions involving in their removal great or unusual expenditure.” (p. 261)
Document 2: Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851
As incidents between travelers and Native people increased in frequency and severity, the U. S. Government sought to placate Native people by negotiating treaties. In the summer of 1851, almost 10,000 Indians camped downriver from Fort Laramie while their leaders met with U. S. government treaty commissioners. The result was the first Fort Laramie treaty, known as the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.
In it, the federal government agreed to restrict travel across Native lands to the existing trails, only constructing forts along them for the convenience of travelers. In return, Native people agreed not to harm the travelers. Further, the government treaty-makers insisted that Native people select chiefs with whom the government could deal, even though some tribes had no traditions for such authority in a single leader. The government also expected the tribes to honor tribal boundary lines—the Shoshones, to stay in what is now western Wyoming, the Lakota to restrict their hunting to north of the North Platte River and east of the Powder River; the Crow, to stay west of the Powder River; and the Arapahoes and Cheyenne to stay south and east of the North Platte River. Such land borders were not part of Native understanding.. In exchange for honoring the terms of the treaty, the Federal government offered to pay the tribes annuities in the form of goods valued at $50,000 annually for 50 years. (Later, the Senate unilaterally changed the term to $50,000 per year for just 10 years).
FORT LARAMIE TREATY OF 1851
Articles of a treaty made and concluded at Fort Laramie, in the Indian Territory, between D. D. Mitchell, superintendent of Indian affairs, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, Indian agent, commissioners specially appointed and authorized by the President of the United States, of the first part, and the chiefs, headmen, and braves of the following Indian nations, residing south of the Missouri River, east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the lines of Texas and New Mexico viz, the Sioux or Dahcotahs, Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Crows, Assinaboines, Gros-Ventre Mandans, and Arrickaras, parties of the second part, on the seventeenth day of September, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
ARTICLE 1. The aforesaid nations, parties to this treaty, having assembled for the purpose of establishing and confirming peaceful relations amongst themselves, do hereby covenant and agree to abstain in future from all hostilities whatever against each other, to maintain good faith and friendship in all their mutual intercourse, and to make an effective and lasting peace.
ARTICLE 2. The aforesaid nations do hereby recognize the right of the United States Government to establish roads, military and other posts, within their respective territories.
ARTICLE 3. In consideration of the rights and privileges acknowledged in the preceding article, the United States bind themselves to protect the aforesaid Indian nations against the commission of all depredations by the people of the said United States, after the ratification of this treaty.
ARTICLE 4. The aforesaid Indian nations do hereby agree and bind themselves to make restitution or satisfaction for any wrongs committed, after the ratification of this treaty, by any band or individual of their people, on the people of the United States, whilst lawfully residing in or passing through their respective territories.
ARTICLE 5. The aforesaid Indian nations do hereby recognize and acknowledge the following tracts of country, included within the metes and boundaries hereinafter designated, as their respective territories, viz:
The territory of the Sioux or Dahcotah Nation, commencing the mouth of the White Earth River, on the Missouri River; thence in a southwesterly direction to the forks of the Platte River, thence up the north fork of the Platte River to a point known as the Red Bute, or where the road leaves the river; thence along the range of mountains known as the Black Hills, to the head-waters of Heart River; thence down Heart River to its mouth; and thence down the Missouri River to the place of beginning.
The territory of the Gros Ventre, Mandans, and Arrickaras Nations, commencing at the mouth of Heart River; thence up the Missouri River to the mouth of the Yellowstone River; thence up the Yellowstone River to the mouth of Powder River in a southeasterly direction, to the head-waters of the Little Missouri River; thence along the Black Hills to the head of Heart River, and thence down Heart River to the place of beginning.
The territory of the Assinaboin Nation, commencing at the mouth of Yellowstone River; thence up the Missouri River to the mouth of the Muscle-shell River; thence from the mouth of the Muscle-shell River in a southeasterly direction until it strikes the head-waters of Big Dry Creek: thence down that creek to where it empties into the Yellowstone River, nearly opposite the mouth of Powder River, and thence down the Yellowstone River to the place of beginning.
The territory of the Blackfoot Nation, commencing at the mouth of Muscle-shell River; thence up the Missouri River to its source; thence along the main range of the Rocky Mountains, in a southerly direction, to the head-waters of the northern source of the Yellowstone River; thence down the Yellowstone River to the mouth of Twenty-five Yard Creek; thence across to the headwaters of the Muscle-shell River, and thence down the Muscle-shell River to the place of beginning.
The territory of the Crow Nation, commencing at the mouth of Powder River on the Yellowstone; thence up Powder River to its source; thence along the main range of the Black Hills and Wind River Mountains to the head-waters of the Yellowstone River; thence down the Yellowstone River to the mouth of Twenty-five Yard Creek; thence to the head waters of the Muscle-shell River; thence down the Muscle-shell River to its mouth; thence to the head-waters of Big Dry Creek, and thence to its mouth.
The territory of the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes, commencing at the Red Bute, or the place where the road leaves the north fork of the Platte River; thence up the north fork of the Platte River to its source; thence along the main range of the Rocky Mountains to the head-waters of the Arkansas River; thence down the Arkansas River to the crossing of the Santa Fe road; thence in a northwesterly direction to the forks of the Platte River, and thence up the Platte River to the place of beginning.
It is, however, understood that, in making this recognition and acknowledgement, the aforesaid Indian nations do not hereby abandon or prejudice tiny rights or claims they may have to other lands; and further, that they do not surrender the privilege of hunting, fishing, or passing over any of the tracts of country heretofore described.
ARTICLE 6. The parties to the second part of this treaty having selected principals or head-chiefs for their respective nations, through whom all national business will hereafter be conducted, do hereby bind themselves to sustain said chiefs and their successors during good behavior.
ARTICLE 7. In consideration of the treaty stipulations, and for the damages which have or may occur by reason thereof to the Indian nations, parties hereto, and for their maintenance and the improvement of their moral and social customs, the United States bind themselves to deliver to the said Indian nations the sum of fifty thousand dollars per annum for the term of ten years, with the right to continue the same at the discretion of the President of the United States for a period not exceeding five years thereafter, in provisions, merchandise, domestic animals, and agricultural implements, in such proportions as may be deemed best adapted to their condition by the President of the United States, to be distributed in proportion to the population of the aforesaid Indian nations.
ARTICLE 8. It is understood and agreed that should any of the Indian nations, parties to this treaty, violate any of the provisions thereof, the United States may withhold the whole or a portion of the annuities mentioned in the preceding article from the nation so offending, until in the opinion of the President of the US, proper satisfaction shall have been made.
In testimony whereof the said D. D. Mitchell and Thomas Fitzpatrick commissioners as aforesaid, and the chiefs, headmen, and braves, parties hereto, have set their hands and affixed their marks, on the day and at the place first above written.
D. D. Mitchell, Thomas Fitzpatrick
Commissioners.
Sioux:
Mah-toe-wha-you-whey
Mah-kah-toe-zah-zah.
Bel-o-ton-kah-tan-ga.
Nah-ka-pah-gi-gi.
Mak-toe-sah-bi-chis
Meh-wha-tah-ni-hans-kah.
Cheyennes:
Wah-ha-nis-satta.
Voist-ti-toe-vetz
Nahk-ko-me-ien.
Koh-kah-y-wh-cum-est,.
Arrapahoes:
Be-ah-te-a-qui-sah.
Neb-ni-bah-seh-it.
Beh-kah-jay-beth-sah-es.
In the presence of
A. B. Chambers, secretary.
S. Cooper, colonel, U. S. Army.
R. H. Chilton, captain, First Drags.
Thos Duncan, capt., Mounted Riflemen.
Thos. G. Rhett, brevet captain R. M. R.
W. L. Elliott, first lieutenant R. M. R.
C. Campbell, interpreter for Sioux.
John S. Smith, interpreter for Cheyennes.
Robert Meldrum, interpreter for Crows.
Crows:
Arra-tu-ri-sash.
Doh-chepit-seh-chi-ek.
Assinaboines:
Mah-toe-wit-ko.
Toe-tah-ki-eh-nan.
Mandans and Gros Ventres:
Nochk-pit-shi-toe-pish.
She-oh-mant-ho.
Arickarees:
Koun-hei-ti-shan.
Bi-atch-tah-wetch.
H. Culbertson, interpreter for Assiniboines and Gros Ventres.
Francois L’Etalie, interpreter for Arickarees.
John Pizelle, interpreter for Arrapahoes.
B. Gratz Brown.
Robert Campbell.
Edmond F. Chouteau.
Source: “Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.” In Indian Treaties, 1778–1883. Compiled by Charles J. Kappler. Washington, DC: 1904, pp. 594–596
Document 2: Transcontinental Telegraph Authorized (1860)
An Act To Facilitate Communication Between the Atlantic and Pacific States by Electric Telegraph
Passed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States and Approved by the President, June 16, 1860
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury, under the direction of the President of the United States, is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for sealed proposals, to be received for sixty days after the passage of this act, (and the fulfillment of which shall be guaranteed by responsible parties, as in the case of bids for mail contracts,) for the use by the government of a line or lines of magnetic telegraph, to be constructed within two years from the thirty-first day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty, from some point or points on the west line of the State of Missouri, by any route or routes which the said contractors may select, (connecting at such point or points by telegraph with the cities of Washington, New Orleans, New York, Charleston, Philadelphia, Boston, and other cities in the Atlantic, Southern, and Western States, to the city of San Francisco, in the State of California, for a period of ten years, and shall award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders, provided such proffer does not require a larger amount per year from the United States than forty thousand dollars ; and permission is hereby granted to the said parties to whom said contract may be awarded, or a majority of them, and their assigns, to use until the end of said term, such unoccupied public lands of the United States as may be necessary for the right of way and for the purpose of establishing stations for repairs along said line, not exceeding at any station one-quarter section of land, such stations not to exceed one in fifteen miles on an average of the whole distance, unless said lands shall be required by the government of the United States for railroad or other purposes, and provided that no right to preempt any of said lands under the laws of the United States shall inure to said company, their agents or servants, or to any other person or persons whatsoever : Provided, That no such contract shall be made until the said line shall be in actual operation, and payments thereunder shall cease whenever the contractors fail to comply with their contract ; that the government shall at all times be entitled to priority in the use of the line or lines, and shall have the privilege, when authorized by law, of connecting said line or lines by telegraph with any military posts of the United States, and to use the same for government purposes : And provided, also, That said line or lines, except such as may be constructed by the government to connect said line or lines with the military posts of the United States, shall be open to the use of all citizens of the United States during the term of said contract, on payment of the regular charges for transmission of dispatches : And provided, also, That such charges shall not exceed three dollars for a single dispatch of ten words, with the usual proportionate reductions upon dispatches of greater length, provided that nothing herein contained shall confer upon the said parties any exclusive right to construct a telegraph to the Pacific., or debar the government of the United States from granting from time to time, similar franchises and privileges to other parties.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said contractors, or their assigns, shall have the right to construct and maintain, through any of the territories of the United States, a branch line, so as to connect their said line or lines with Oregon ; and that they shall have the permanent right of way for said line or lines, under, or over, any unappropriated public lands and waters in the said territories, by any route or routes which the said contractors may select, with the free use during the said term of such lands as may be necessary for the purpose of establishing stations for repairs along said line or lines, not exceeding, at any station, one quarter-section of land, such stations not to exceed one in fifteen miles or an average of the whole distance ; but should any of said quarter-sections be deemed essential by the government, or any company acting under its authority, for railroad purposes, the said contractors shall relinquish the occupancy of so much as may be necessary for the railroad, receiving an equal amount of land for like use in its stead.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That if, in any year during the continuance of the said contract, the business done for the government, as hereinbefore mentioned, by such contractors or their assigns, shall, at the ordinary rate of charges for private messages, exceed the price contracted to be paid as aforesaid, the Secretary of the Treasury shall, upon said accounts being duly authenticated, certify the amount of such excess to Congress : Provided, That the use of the line be given, at any time, free of cost, to the Coast Survey, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Observatory, for scientific purposes : And Provided further, That messages received from any individual, company, or corporation, or from any telegraph lines connecting with this line at either of its termini, shall be impartially transmitted in the order of their reception, excepting that the dispatches of the government shall have priority : And provided further, That Congress shall at any time have the right to alter or amend this act.
Approved, June 16, 1860.
36 Cong., 1 Sess., Chapter 137.
Document 3: