Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-06
THE U. STATES ROAD TO MEXICO.

From ihe Missouri Republican, Of October ~
We learn from Alr. Gamble, the Secretary of the
Commissioners Tor marking road from the frontier
OF Missouri, 10 the confines of New Mexico, and
Tor treating with the nterv enng Indian tribes that
the survey of the route has been completed to the
boundary line of the United States.
The road commences n mile or two south of For,
Usage, upon line run some years ago on the bound
airy of the Indian lands, in latitude SO degrees 10
minutes 10 seconds, and longitude 80 degrees 81
minutes seconds from London. II follows the
neighbourhood road till il crosses the Little Blue
Creek enters upon those extensive prairies which
reach, without intermission, TO the Mountains of
New Mexico.
At the distance of 90 miles from Port Usage,
the road crosses another stream of the Missouri
called Big Blue, creek about 20 yards wide, and
which, at the seaSoa of high water might require
erry boat. After crossing this creek, the route
pursues the ridge which divides the waters of the
Kansas River from it, and which ridge continues
on In good direction, and becomes the diyider be-
tween The Kansas and the Usage Rivers and also
between the Neeozho and the Kansas, and the Lit
tie Arkansas and the Kansas. 1t will be seen by a
reference 10 tie Map, that the Kansas river runs
IN The direction that the road follow TO reach
what Is called the North Bend of the Arkansas and
where the Smoky Hill Fort of the Kansas and the
Arkansas approach nearest TO eac! other II was
ascertained by observations for latitude, taken by
MIR. Brown, the Surveyor, that the distance be-
tween those points is 10 l2 ,uiles In surve, ing the
route Tor road, it was found advantageous TO adj
here 10 the ridge where il did not sverye materially
from the direction. In some places, however. il
was necessary to leave IT TO the right, and cross
some OF the head streams of the Usage None of
them' though, are dlthcult to cross, or likely TO
oostruct the traveller at any season Upon the
whole, the face of the country offers urea, f,c;li
Ties Tor national way. The ridge upon which il
runs Is high and open, and the streams omen the
opposite sides, Generally with small fringe of
timber upo" them,) approach near as 10 furnish
wood and water without much Inconvenience.
There lisa part OF the route, however, as YOU ap-
proach The Arkansas, that must forever he scarce
Oh "ood and wafer II is a. high and level plain
extending across from the Cotton Wond Fork of
the Neeozho, nearly west, about so miles Tie
substitute tor wood here, is the Buffalo ordu,e
which answers good purpose, and even in the dri.
est season, the traveller will be able TO find sufi
cheney of standing water
Inc commissioners in going out, struck the Ar
Kansas lower down than the road is exnected IN
cross that river; they followed it up 10 The bounda-
" me oil the United States, in latitude 81 ~ 81
ana on their return will the road back, so
as to leave the Arkansas at the mouth of w ,Irn,
Creek (the North Bend)
i ne expedition reached the boundary line early
III september, and remained in cam until the 2Ist
waiting Tor authority continue the SURVEYS tbrouab
'he Mexican territory.
As me season was now advanced, and the means
OF suDsisting horses becoming very precarious the
commissioners came 10 the conclusion that i,no,Id
not ne safe to remain longer inactive Thev,
therefore, divided the party; one of the Commis,
sioners (M9jor sibley) and the Surveyor, with ten
iiieh were sent 10 Santa Fee to winter with view
W oD'alh information OF the country; and TO make
arrangements, 1t necessary, with tie Commission
ers on the part of the Mexican government. for the
completion OF the road in tie spring. The other
TWO Commissioners, Colonel Reeves and CoIooel
Mather, with the of the partv, are on their re-
'urn, and are correcting and straighen ng the road
where 1t will admit of it. Mr.. Gamble left the
North Bend of the Arkansas, all in good health
a. ney stopped DAY to Kill and dry suffciency of
Buffalo meat 10 last them TO the settlements Will,
there, company OF 20 adventures, with great
many mules and horses laden with merchandise az
rVed from Missouri. bound for Santa Fee; and an
nour afterwards company ofsi persons, returning
from Santa Fee, also arriv ed from their camn