George Suckley papers, 1853-1863

The Suckley papers consist of three autographed letters he received from Isaac I. Stevens, a newspaper clipping, and two engravings of Stevens printed during the U. S. Civil War. The earliest letter, dated October 2, 1853, and sent from Flathead Village, St. Mary's Valley (now Stevensville, Montana), gives Suckley his specific orders for exploration by the most practical route to Olympia, Washington Territory. The second letter, dated April 18, 1853, is a "true copy" of an order written by George Simpson of the Hudson Bay House, Lachine, Canada. The order advises all Hudson Bay employees to extend courtesies and supplies to Isaac Stevens and his surveying party while passing through the northwest on their surveying trip. This letter has a handwritten endorsement by Stevens dated October 3, 1853, St. Mary's Valley, for Suckley's use during his reconnaissance. The final letter was written by Stevens on August 4, 1858, from Washington, D. C., requesting that Suckley provide him with specific information on various rapids along the Columbia River and river boat navigation possibilities. The newspaper clipping is from the December 30, 1859, edition of the Puget Sound Herald and concerns a critique of the territorial governor's recently published message. The engravings are a formal portrait of Stevens and a depiction of his death at the battle of Chantilly, Virginia.