Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-20
From the Marietta, Ohio, Republican.


Expedition West of the Rocky Iountains.--
of Congress for l82O-2l, an act was passed au-
thorisng the raising Of company of 40 men to
explore the Rocky Mountains, and north from
the Mexican line, the Behring Straits, and S5
degrees north latitude. We have endeavored to
lay our hand upon the act, but have not succeed
ed in 80 doing. although assured by many OF our
citizens that II is within their recolectous. From
the long time the company have been absent
III years. all hopes Of their return was abandon
ell, as it was supposed they had either fallen VIC
tins to the savases or the severity OF the climate.
On Wednesday evening, the 18th, one OF the
party, Mr.. William Clawson, stopped at the
house of gentleman in Fearing township, IN
this county, on his way homewards, (Northum-
berlahd county, Penn. who has politely furnish
ed US with the following particulars obtained from
Mr.. c.
The company consisting of Col. Henry Lea
wentworth, commandant, from near Albany, y.
York; Scipeo Hasler, a native OF France, Iopo-
graphical engineer; James Watson, from Ba'ti-
more. NJ D. Professor of Chemistry; Drs Hen
nv Williams, from Baltimore, and John Gittis,
from near Philadel phia, physcians-under pay
Of $50 per month-and 81 privateS under pay OF
S20-organized in Washington City, and left
there in July, 1921; from thence they proceeded
to Erie, where they went on board the topsall
schr. Capt. Brdsel, landed at Green Bay and
wintered-went by Prairie du Chen to st. An
thongs Falls, Mississippi-went up to st. Pc
ter's 500 miles in search of lead mines, where
they discovered very valuable ones-wlntered
there-went down the same~riser, and down
Mississippi to the mouth of the Missouri, thence
up the Missouri to the foot of the Rocky Noun
tains-wintered there, and continued to the mid.
die of August-then crossed the Mountains, and
were west eight years. While travelling bv the
Frozen Ocean, and having been over into ASA
south towards the head of Columbia river, they
were overtaken by snow storm and compelled
to build houses and stay there nine months. SIX OF
which the sun never rose and the darkness was
as great as during our nights. The snow, part
of the time. was Ia feet, and the company were
compelled to eat Al of their pack horses to pre-.
vent starving, whilst the only food the horses had
was birch bark, which the company cut and car
red to them by walking On the snow with snow
shoes. Each Of the company was armed with
double-barreled rifle, made for the purpose, a
brace of pistols. sword. butcher knife, and to-
mahawk, with an edge aud three spikes. Add
| ed to these, they carried on horse small brass
piece of ordnance taken from Gen. Burgoyne IN
the revolution. After passing the mountains,
thew passed $50 different Indian tribes, some
perfectly white, some entirely covered with hair,
! ldenominated the Esau Indians, who were among
the most sngular.) and So wild that the compa.
nv were compelled 10 run them down with horses
IN take their dimensions, which was part of their
duty. whilst others evinced the most friendly dis
position. 49, -,
While ives, Of the mountains they Tell in with
\ tribe Jenominated the Copper Indians, who re-
ceiye their name from owning extensive copper
mines; 500 of them armed with bows and copper
darts, copper knives and axes, attacked the com.
/ PAW in day time; severe action ensued, and
ONLY about thirty OF the Indians escaped; the rest
were killed or wounded, with loss OF two OF the
company. and several wounded.
Among the various discoveries made by the
company, we have only room to mention those OF
extensive beds of pure SALT the largest OF which
was eighteen acres, several inches deep On the
bvrders, found to be pure and wholesome; also
inn.merable beds of alum, iron, lead, copper,
gold, and silver ore, the gold almost pure. Among
the animals, Mr.. T.. describes the grlsiey grey
bear, as the most ferocious, and lord OF the for
est The weight of several killed by the compa-
nv varied from 60 to l25 pounds. Their strength
wa. surprising, aud tales told OF 1t were almost
beyond belief.
The remains Of the company started tor home
in August, 1881. They re-crossed the noun
tsins on to the heads of the Missouri river, there
built boat, and those who were lame went on
board, the rest ON foot. Captain Leavensworth
being lame. rode on horseback, with those on foot
and is supposed to b. in Washington City by
Mr. C. Of the company, FIVE died BY sickness,
one BY the fal. of tree. aud fifteen were Killed
bv the lndians-total O. Among them was
DR.. Williams, who was killed BY the Backfoot
Indians, three miles from the ROXY Mountains,
ON the way out He was found by the company
shot. tomahawked, and stripped naked. Three
O. the fifteen were never found, supposed to have
been killed near the head of Columbia River
Ten of n;aeteen of the survivors are lame, some
nv N. indians, and some by accident. Captain
Issyensworti, is among the number. He was
on horseback, half mile distant Is,! iron. from
;.ats h. thigh and dropped lis horse-the horse
til w:au the injured leg and broke 1t again below
,Sa H. The horse continued TO hold him thus,