New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-07-04
Scientific Expedition.

II
The Missouri Reporter Of the 4th instant CON
80. o,;ce of the OK pedition Of Lieut.. Fremont,
of the e. S Typographical Engineers, to the base
as rho Reckv Mountains in the latitude OF thc
Platte and Kanzas Rivers, with view to ascef-
tain positions and localities, to explore the face OF
the country, and to make the Government fully nc
ouainted with that remote and important point oil
our extended territory, now becoming ct so much
greater interest from the extension of sur trade to
Inc northern parts Of Mexico end California, and
the settlement growing up ia the valley OF the Co
L,,nbio River. The line Of communication now
folowed by emigrants traders and travellers to the
Columbia and California, is upon this route and
through the famous South Pass--a depression IN
the Rocky Mountains at the head ot the River
Platte which makes gate in tina, elevated ridge
pas.nble. in n state Of nature, for loaded wagons,
Of which many have passed through. Tins exam
inntion of the country on ms side OF The Rocky
Mountains comes al II very suspicious moment |"
complete our researches in that direction, and to
give more value TO the surveys and examination OF
the Columbia River, It's estuary, and tae surround
in- country made by Lieutenant Wilkes in his IL
cen, voyage, and Of which full report has been
made TO the Government. Those two exanna-
tions will give Us an authentic and interesting view
of the important country belonging 10 the United
State. on each side Of the Rocky mountains; and.
taken in connection with the great scientific sur
yey of Mr.. Ncollci commencing at the mouth of
the Missouri River, and extending north to tie
head of the Mississippi and 10 latitude ~, and
covering all the country in the f0rks Of these two
rivers, over an extent of ten degrees OF latitude,
will she'd immense light upon the geography and
natural history of the vast region west of the Mis-
ss.ippi River [Globe.
The following is the article from the Missouri
Reporter:
Lieutenant Fremont, Of tire corps OF ToPo"
graphical Engineers left here, under orders from
the War Department, about ten days ago, with
party of twenty men, on a tour to the Rocky
Mountains. The object of the expedition IL m
examination of the country between the mouth OF
the Kanzas and the head waters Of the great river
Platte including the navigable parts OF both these
rivers and of what is called tho Southern Pass ~
the Rocky Mountains and the intermediate coun-
try with view to the establishment of line Of
military posts from the frontiers of Missouri To
the mouth of the Columbia River. This expedi-
ton is connected with the proposition now before
Congress to occupy the territory about Columbia
River, as proposed by DIR. Inns bill.
The great river Platte is the most direct line OF
communication between this country and the
mouth of the Columbia, and that route is known
to be practicable and easy. 1t therefore becomes
important To ascertain the general character OF
that river and the ad accnt country, and the tacil
ties it will he likely to afford in prosecuting TIE
contemplated settlements IN Oregon Inns SCUM
era Pass, q depression in the Rocky Mountains
i, near the source of the extreme branch OF th'
river Platte and affords an easy passage for way
ons and other wheel carriages which have fire.
qucntly passed over the mountains upon that route
without difficulty or delay and ii is important tina
the latitude OF this point should be ascortained
il is thought that it will not vary much from tn,
line established between the United States ano
Mexico. by the treaty with Spain of 1919. II TIN
Pass should fall south of that line, (thc 42d de
gree of north lattudc,) it may become necessar
to examine the country north OF il the line of TN
Yellowstone and south branch Of the Columbi
would, it is thought, afford the next best route.
Lieut. Fremont, though young. has had niue
experience in SURVEYS of this kind, having mad
tho Typographical survey of the Des Moines RiN
cr and having assisted the scientific Mr.. Nicollc
in his great survey of the country OF the Uppc
Mississippi. He is we'll supplied with iustrr
ncnts for making astronomical observations; {,
fixing the longitude and latitude of imPortan
points and Dagucrreoypo apparatus, for takin
views of important points and scenes along III
route and, i not obsruc,ed in his operations b
large bands 0f Wild wandering Indians, whcl
sometimes trouble small parties passing throus
that region, may be expected to impart much va
ublc information to the Government AMI to IN
country.
Since the attention OF the country has bee
directed to the settlement of the Oregon tsrr,or
by our able Senator doctor Linn) and by the :,
ports OF those who have visited that region in pei
son the importance of providing ample sccurit
for the settlers there, and of opening safe an
easy communication from the western boundary 4
Missouri 10 the Columbia River Ia, been uniycl
sally admitted.
The day is no, far distant when if the Genera
Government shall do its duty in the matter. Ore
g0n will be Inhabited by hardy inluyrior. nm,
intelligent population, and the enterprise of ON
citizens find channel oi trade with the ia
ands in the PaciEc; the western coast of thi
whole con,incat, and perhaps with Eastern Asia
Notwithstanding the many obstacles at present il
the way OF the settlement of this territory emi
grants are rapidly pouring into it, and only acinan
81 Government that protection which is due to a.
eur cuzcns, wherever they may choose To reside,
While negotiations are pending at Washington I,
ADJUST all existing difficulties between hi. co,n,r
and Great Britain. our right To tins ,er,;t,,,
should not be forgotten. At present i, may s,or
a small matter 10 the negociators bun ,hev .h,lc
remember that every years delay will onlv rorJ.
the final adjustment OF the disputed Nor,bw.s,cr,
boundary more difficult.
We are pleased TO learn that the proper au,hor
i:Ies at Washington evince a disposition 10 a,
something toward encouraging the early oecupa
ton OF Oregon by permanent Americsu settlers
III u known that mary OF the islands in the Pacific
have already been settled by Americans. and ira.
ding houses established, by which a large and
Prohtabc business is carried on with the Indian