The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-30
COMMUNICATIONS.
FREMoNT,s EXPEDITIONS.


tracts from the report the one which Will proba-
bly, be the most agreeable to the reader We give
the following as proof of the volcanic condition OF
that region:
ssAs we were about resumng our march in the
afternoon, was attracted by the singular appear
ance of an isolated hill with concave summit, in
the plain, about two miles from the river and turned
off towards il, while the camp proceeded on its way
TO the southwark in search OF the lake. found the
thin and stony soil OF the plain entirely underlaid by
the basalt which forms the river walls; and when
reached the neighborhood of the hill the surface OF
the pain rent into frequent assures ana chasms
of the same scoriated volcanic rock, from forty TO
sixty feet deep, but which there was not suihclent
light TO penetrate entirely, and which had not time
10 descend Arrived at the summit Of the HILL |
found that il terminated in very perfect crater, of
an oval, nearly circular form, $50 PAGES in cir
conference, and go feet at the greatest depth. The
walls, which we're perfectly vertical, and disposed
like mas my in very regular manner, were COM
posed OF brown-colorcd scoracious lava, evidently
the production of modern volcano, and having all
the appearance of the lighter scoriacous lavas of
Mounts E,tna, Vesuvius, and other volcanoes The
faces OF the walls were redeemed and glazed by FIRE,
in which they had been melted, and which had left
them contorted and twisted by its violent actionn
Hewas now on his way to the sGreat Salt Lake. {"
AS he progressed in his journey, he speaks of the
great dearth of provision (meat in this album
dant country. He had just visited Shoshohec viii
lage, and had failed in obtaining food;
"a great portion of the region inhabited by this
nation, formerly abounded in game; the buffalo
ranging about in herds, as we had found them on
the eastern waters and the plains dotted with scat
tered bands Of antelope; but so rapidly have they
disappeared within few years, that now, us we
journeyed along, an occasional buffalo skull and a
few wild antelope were all that remained of the
abundance which had covered the country with ani-
nal life.
UThe eytsaorlnar,, .a,,;,l;,x, with (which thu
buffalo is disappearing from our territories will not
appear surprising when remember the great
scale on which their destruction is yearly carried
on. With inconsiderable exceptions, the business
of the American tradingposts is carried in their
skins; every year the Indian villages make new
lodges for which the skin Of the buffalo furnishes
the material; and in that portion of the country
where they still found, the Indians derive their
entire support from them, and slaughter them with
thoughless and abominable extravaganza. Like
the Indians themselves, they have been charac-
teristic of the Great Vest and as like them, they
are yisibly diminishing, it will be interesting to
throw glance backward through the last twenty
years. and give account of their former disri-
button through the country, and the limit Of their
western range" bs
We shall not follow him through this "glance,' .
but recommend it TO the perusal of those who
have the of our Indian affairs II is evident that
the rapid diminution of the buffalo has already been
the Of great sufferings; and equally evident
that these suilerngs must increase, unless remedy
be applied. He also speaks, in the narrative of his
journey to the 'Salt Lake, of that remarkable race
of people called ''root-diggers."
"Roots seeds, and grass, every vegetable that
affords any nourshment, and every living animal
thing insect or worm, they eat Nearly approach
ing to the lower animal creaiion their sole employ
ment is to obtain food and they constantly oc-
cupied in a struggle to support existence"
Murray introduces this race ip his beautiful novel
of the aPrairie Bird" CaptaTF. made profitable
use Of his "India-rubbcr boat" and on the Sd of
September was in 4lo 3V 90" longitude llso l9'
3Oi west OF Greenwich, and 4,2OO feet above the
Gulf Of Mexico. He found hot springs, in which
the water stood in one at 1860 Of Fahr in the other
at 1885, "and the water, which spread in pools
the ground, was colored red" On the 9th of Sep
TENDER he reached the lake.
ut was one Of the great points of the explora-
ton; and, we looked eagerly over the lake, in the
first emotions Of excited pleasure, am doubtful il
the followers of Balboa felt more enthusiasm when
from the heights of the Andes, they saw for the
first time the great western 1t was certainly
magnificent object and a noble terminus to this
part Of expedition; and TO travellers SO long shut
up among mountain ranges, sudden view over the
expanse Of silent waters had in il something sub
lime. Several large islands raised their high rocky
heads out Of the waves; but whether not they
were timbered, was still left TO our Imagination, as
the distance was too great to determine if the dark
hues upon them were woodland or naked rock.
During the day. the clouds had been gathering black
over the mountains to the westward and while we
were looking, storm burst down with sudden fury
upon the lake. and entirely hid the islands from our
view So far as we could see along the Shores there
was not solitary tree, and but little appearance of
grass; and on Weber's fork, few miles below orr
last encampmcnt the timber was gathered into
groves, and then disappeared entirely. AS this APP
peared to be the nearest point TO the lake, where
suitable camp could be found, directed course
to one of the groves, where we found handsome
encampment, with good grass and an abundance of
rushes, (equisetum hytmaie.) AT sunset, the Their
mometer was at $50; the evening clear and calm,
with some cumull." h
He now found that the treacherous mechanic
from whom he procured the lndia-rubber boat, had
merely pasted its seams, which frequently opened
and exposed them to great danger. The following
description Of curious article of food this lake
may not be without interest:
ssAmong the successive banks of the beach, form.
ed by the action of the waves, attention, as we
approached the island, had been attracted by one
from 10 to 20 feet in breadth, of dark-brown col
or Being more closely examined, this was found
to be composed, to the depth Of seven or eight and
twelve inches entirely Of the larpG Of insects, or
in common language, Of the skins of worms, about
the size Of grain of oats, which had been washed
up by the waters of the lake.
tAluding to this subject some months afterwards
when travelling througha more southern portion OF
this region, in company with Mr.. Jos. Walker an
old hunter, was informed by him, that, wandering
with party Of men in mountain country east Of
the great California range, he surprised party Of
several Indian families encamped near a small salt
lake, who abandoned their lodges at his approach,
leaving everything behind them. Being in sarv-
ing condition, they delighted to find in the
abandoned lodges number Of skin bags contain.
ing quantity Of what appeared to be fish, dried
and pounded. On this they made hearty supper
mr. an abundant bronx f,a
the next morning, when Mr.. Walker discovered
thatit was with these, or similar worm, that tn,
bags had been filed. The stomachs Of the stou
trappcrs were proof against their preiudices
the repulsivc food suddenly rejected. Mr.
Walker had further opportunities of seeing these
worms used article of food; and | am in
clined to think they are the same as those we saw
and appear to be product Of the salt lakes II may
be welIto recnll TO your mind that Mr.. Walker wal
associated with Captain Bonneville in his cxpedi
ton to the Rocky mountains; and has since tina
time remained IN the country, generally residing il
ooffh Snak e will vth