Delaware journal., 1827-11-13


in the songs and they did it by Ginning in couple
or three sharp notes, with strong nasal twang ac
the last part of the tune.
WEST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
We have been politely favored by Gen. CLAnxs
of Indian Affairs. with the pernsa OF
a letter, written by Jedediah S Smith, who has been
for several years engaged 10 hunting and trapping
in the Upper Missouri. and who has visited that ex-
tcn.ve barren country OH the West. not here otore
explored. From this letter. written IN plain stylx.
we extract the following. which, trust, will be
found interesting to our readers.
Missouri Republican.
Ny situation has enabled me to collect information
respecting country which has been. measurably.
yelled in obscury. and unknown to the citizens OF
the Unite States. | allude to the country South
Westof the Great Salt Lake, land West Of the Rocky
mountains.
About the 22d of August, 1896. left the great
Salt Lake. accompanied with party of fifteen men,
for the purpose ofexploring the country to the Sout.
West which was then entirely unknown to me- and
of which could obtain satisfactory information.
from the Indians who inhabt the country on its North
East borders. My general course on leaving the
Lake, was S. W. and w. passing the Little Uta
Lake, and ascending Ashey's River. which empties
into it, where we found nation OF Indians, calling
themselves Sumpdch. who were friendly disposed
towards Us. After leaving the Little Uta Lake,
found no further sign Of ,nFalo-here were. howe
yer. few Of the Anteune and Mountain shees, ana
all abundance OF Black Tailed Hares. Leaving
| Ashe,'s River. | passed over range Of mountains.
s. f. and N. ". and struck river, running $. W
which named Adams River. in compliment TO our
| President. The water of t',s river is OF muddy
cast, and somewhat brackish. TIE country is noun
famous to the East, and IN the West arc detach-
ed rocky hills and sandy plains Passing down
this river some distance. fell in with nation ot
Indians, calling themselves Pd Utches. These In
dans. as well as the Sumpatch, robes made Of
rabbit skins; they raise and pumpkins on which
they principally subsst-except few hares, very
little game of any description is to be found About
ten days march further down, the river turns to this
5 Il. where, on the S. w Of it. there is il remas-
kable cave. the entrance to which about ten or hf-
teen feet high and five or six feet in width after
descending about fifteen feet, opens into large and
spacious room, with the roof, walls, and tloor OF
solid rock salt "a niece of which send you, will,
some other articles which will be hereafter descrlb-
ed followed Adams river two days travel fur
ther, where emp,es into the Seeds Keeder. which
| crossed and went a south course down it, through
(, barren, rocky. and mountainous country. La tS
river are manv shoals and rapids. Further down. Il
valley opens. from five to fifteen miles in width. The
land on the river bank is fertile and timbretl. here
found another tribe of Indians. who call themselves
Amnuchcbes. They cultivate the soil, and raise
, corn. beans. pumpkins and melons in abundance,
and also a little wheat and cotton | was now
nearly destitute of horses, and had learned what it
was to do without food therefore concluded to
remain here fifteen days. to recruit my men and IN
the mean time, succeeded in changing my few re-
naming horses, and was enabled purchase others.
| from il party Of runaway Indians. who had stolen
them from the Spanards | here obtained some
information respecting the Spanish country. OBJ.
, tanned two guides recrossed the Seeds keedcr,
and travelled West course fifteen DAYS. over Il
country of complete barrens, and frequently Iron,
morning until night without water. Crossed salt
, plain eight miles wide and twenty long. On the
surface of the ground is crust OF white salt, un-
derneath is layer of yellow sand, and beneath the
sand few inches, the salt again appears The ri-
yer Seeds Keeder have since learned, empties it.
self into the Gufof California. about 80 miles from
the Aminuchehes. and is there called the Colorado
On my arrival in the province of Upper Califor-
mia, was eyed with suspicion, and was compelled.
10 appear in the presence of the Governor, residing
at ST. Diego, from whence, BY the assistance OF some
American gentlemen, (particularly Capt W. II.
Il Cunningham, of the ship Courier, from boston,1 1
ssns euabled to obtain permission TO return with my
men, by the route had come. also obtained
permission TO purchase such supplies as stood IN
need Of. AS the Governor would not permit me
10 travel up the sea coast towards Bodago, pao-
ceeded eastward of the Spanish settlement. then
, turned my course N. W. keeping from so to eco
, miles from the sen coast travelled three hun
, Idred miles in this direction, through country