Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-08-23


but gradually, the water deepened, became still
fal baeau Of gum cloth distended with air and with
pasted Although the day very calm there
considerable swell the lake and there white patches
of foam on the surface, which slowly moving the
southwark indicating the set Of in that direction,
and recalling the recollection Of the whirlpool stories The
continued deepen advanced, the lake beco
ing almost tansparenty clear, OF extremely beautiful
bright green color and the spray which thrown the
and Clothes directly converted into crust
Of salt, which covered also our hands and arms
Captain, said Carson, who for some time had been looking
suspciousy whitening appearances outside the
islands, what those yonder won't you just take
look with the glass We ceased padding for moment and
found them to be the caps OF the that were beginning
break under the force OF strong breeze that coming
up the lake The form Of the boat seemed TO BIO admra
BILE one, and rode the like bird but at the
time twas extremely slow in its progress When
little than half way the reach two Of the
divisions between the cylinders gave way and required the
constant Of the bellows keep sufficient quantity Of
air. For long time scarcely seemed to approach
island but gradually worked the ougher Of the
open channel into the smoother water under the lee Of the
island and began discover that what took for long
row OF peicans ranged the beach only low cliffs
whitened with salt by the spray Of the and about
reached the Shore the transparency of the enabling
US to see the bottom at considerable depth. pt
=" was handsome broad beach where we landed, behind
which the hill, into which the island gathered,
what abruptly and point of rock at one end enclosed it
shcltering way and, there abundance of drift
wood along the shore, offered pleasant encampmen
We did not suffer fragile boat to touch the sharp rocks
but getting overheard discharged the baggage and lifting
gently out Of the water, carried It the upper part Of the
beach, which composed Of very small of
Carrying with the barometer and other Instruments
IN the afternoon highest point Of the island
bare rocky peak eight hundred feet above the lake. Stand
ing on the summit enjoyed extended Of the lake.
enclosed in basin Of rugged mountains which sometimes
e marshy flats and extensive bottoms between them and the
Shore and in other places directly down into the water
with bold and precpitons bluffs Following with our glasses
the irregular shores, searched for indications Of
communication with other bodies of water the entrance Of
other rivers but the distance great that could make
out nothing with certainty To the southwark several PENN
suar mountains three four thousand feet high entered the
lake, appearing, far the distance and position
bled to determine TO be connected by fats and low ridges
with the mountains in the Although these probably
the islands usually indicated maps of this region entirely
detached from the shoe have preferred represent the
In the small map the preceding page precisely
enabled TO sketch them the ground leaving their
pee deineaon for future survey The SKETCH Of which
the scale nearly sxteen miles to inch introduced only
to show clearly the extent of operations which, will be
remembered, made when the their
stage At the Of high waters in the spring. is pro-
babe that all the marshes and low grounds oyerowcd
and the surface Of the lake considerably greater In several
places (Which will be indicated to you in the sketch by the
absence of the bordering nountains the view of unm
ed extenhere and there rocky se appearing above the
water at great distance and beyond every thing vague
and underlined As we looked the expanse of
ter spread out beneath and strained eyes along the
lent shores which hung much doubt and uncertainty
and which full Of interest could hardly reprcss
the almost irresistible desire to continue exploration but
the frightening the mountains plain indication
OF the advancing season. and M linen boat appeared
insecure that was unwilling to trust lives TO the
ainties Of the lake. therefore unwngly resolved to term
nate our here and remain satisfied for the present with
what we had been able to add to the unknown geography Of
the region We felt pleasure also in remembering that
were the first who in the tadonary annals of the country,
had visited the islands, and broken with the cheerful sound
of human voices, the long solitude Of the place. From the
point where standing the ground fell off every side
to the water giving perfect view of the island which
twelve thirteen miles in circumference, being simply
rocky hill which there is neither water nor trees Of any
kind"
"At sunset the temperature was roo. We had arrived
just in time TO obHn meridian altitude of the SUM- and other
obseI atons obtained this evening" which place camp
IN latitude 4lo 10y AZ, and longitude 1929 IL 05V from
Greenwich From discussion Of the barometca observations
made during stay the shores Of the lake. have adopt
ed 200 feet for its elevation above the Gulf Of Mexico In
the first disappointment felt from the dissipation Of
dream the fertile islands, Icaed this island
scout OF the drift wood, made ourselves pleasant little
lodges open to the wafer and after having kndlcd large fires
to excite the wonder of any struggling savage the lake
shores lay down for the first time long Journey in perfect
security; thinking about his arms The evening was
extremely bright and pleasant but the wind during the
night and the began to break heavily the Shore
making our island trembe had not expected in inland
journey TO hear the OF surf and the sangenes
of situation and the excitement felt in the associated
interest of the place, made this of the interesting
nights remember during our long expedition"
The following brief but significant observations
occur on the 18th and 18th September, when the
expedition was in latitude Al deg. 40 min. 43 Sec,
and longitude liz deg. 05 min. IL Sec:
The people to-day were rather Iovpiriied hunger max
ing them very quiet and pesceab and there rarely an
oath to be heard in the camp-no solitary cnfdn de
garce u was time for the with expected supply of
provisions from Fitzpatrick be in the ncghborhood and the
gun was fred at evening" to give them notice Of locality
but met with response. $780,,
"September I4The people this evening looked 50 for
orn that gave them permission kill fat young horse
which had purchased with goods from the Snake Indians
and they very restored gayety and good
Mr. Preus and myself could overcome some remains of
civilized pejudices and preferred little longer
feeling as much saddened crime had been committed
Captain Fremont, when crossing the dividing
ridge which separates the waters OF Bear river,
(which flows into the Great Salt Lake, and those of
the Snake river, or Lews's fork of the Columbia,
says: t as ~.
"The bottoms of THIS river (Bearo and Of some of the
creeks which saw, form natural resting and recruiting
tion for travellers, now, and in all time to The bot
toms are extenslve water exceent timber sucient the
soil good and well adapted the grains and grasses suited
such elevated region military post and civilized
dement, would be Of great value heres and cattle and horses
would do well where grass and salt 70 much abound The
lake viii furnish exbausess supplies Of salt All the
sides here covered with valuable nutritious grass
called bunch grass from the form in which grows which
has second growth in the fall The beasts Of the Indians
were s upon it found good subsistence and its
quantity will sustain any amount Of CATTLE and make this truly
q bucoic region M 'teA3l asf eIa
The expedition reached Fort Hall, in LAT. 43 deg.
OIL min. 80 sec and long ] IL deg. 90 min. 81 sec.
on the 10Th September, where they obtained sup
ply Of provisions, but experienced much inconve-
n Z