The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-29

twenty miles In width, ana already uaveTsod py
several different roads Selecting as well as could,
be considered the dvidingridge in this remarkable
depression III the mountain. took baroIietrical
observation which gave 7490 feet for the elevation
above the Gulf of Mexico. You will remember that,
in my report Of l842 estimated the elevation Of this
pass at about 1000 feet; correct observation with
barometer enables me 10 give il with mors precision.
lis Importance, as the gate through which commerce
and travelling may hereafter pass. between the val
lev of the Mississippi and the north Pacific, justi6es
precise notice Of its locality and distance from
leading points, in addition to this statement of its
elevation. As stated in the report of 1912, its la
tudc at the point where we crossed is 400 "a 3g';
its longitude 1890 26' CO.,; its distance from the
mouth Of the Kansas by the common travelling
route 962 miles; from the mouth the Great Platte,
along the valley of that river according to our
vey Of 1912, 1872 miles, and it's distance from St.
Eouis pbo,it 400 miles more by the Kansas, and
about roo more by the Grea. Platte routes these adj
dtons being steamboat conveyance in both in
stances From this pass to the mouth Of the Oregon
Is about 800 miles by the common travelling route,
so that, under general point OF view, II may be
ASSUMED 70 be iboht halfway between the Missis-
sippi and the Pacific ocean, on the common travel
ling route. Following hollow Of slight and easy
descent, in which was very soon formed little
tributary to the Gulf Of California (for the waters
which flow west from the South Pass go to this
guif) we made our usual halt four miles from the
pass in latitude by observation, 42o 49, So" Enter
ing here the valley ofGreen river-the great Colorado
of the West-and inclining very much to the south
ward, along the streams which form the Sandy
river, the road led for several days, dry and
level embarrassing plains; to which a low, scrubby
growth Of artemsia gave Uniform dull grayish CO.
Tor, and on the evening Of the 18th WE encampcd in
the Mexican territory, ON the LETT bank OF Green
river, SD miles from the South Pass In longitude
100 05i 05, and latitude 4lo So 54, distant 1881
,,I ~ or In This ia bc
emigrant road TO Oregon, which bears much to the
Inward to avoid the mountains about the
western heads of Green river-thc Rio Verdc of the
Spaniards."
Our enterprisng traveller had now passed the great
barrier which divides the waters Of the Pacific from
those of the Gulf and the Atlantic. He found the
road good, making from twenty to thirty miles
the day. On the 2lst he entered the "fertile and
picturesque valley Of Bear river, the principal trbu
ary to the Great Salt Lake" Speaking Of this lake,
he says:
.sIn our occasional conversations with the few
old hunters who had visited the region, it had been
subject of frequent speculation; and the wonders
which they related not the less agreeable be-
cause they were highly exaggerated and impossi-
bic.
Hitherto this lake had been seen only by trap
pers who were wandering through the country in
search Of new beaver streams, caring very little for
geography; its islands had never been visited; and
none were to be found who had entirely made the
circuit of its shoresj and no instrumental observa-
TONS or geographical survey of any description,
had ever been made anywhere in the neighborng
region. Ii was generally supposed that It had no
visible outlet; but among the uappers, including
those in my own camp, were many who believed
that somewhere on its surface was terrible whirl-
pool, through which its waters found their way TO
the ocean by some subterrancan communication.
All these things had made frequent subject Of dis
cussion in our desultory conversations around the
fires at night and my own mind had become toe-
rably well filled with their indefinite pictures, and
insensbly coored with their romantic descriptions,
which, in the pleasure of excitement, | was well
disposed to believe, and halfexpected to realize"
The valley of this river is general stopping-pace
for emigranis. How delightful must have been the
following scene which presented itself to his view:
"We made our halt at noon in fertile bottom,
where the common blue flax wins growing abun-
dainty, a few miles below the mouth Of Thomas's
fork, one Of the larger tributaries Of the river.
Crossing, in the afternoon, the point of narrow
spur, we descended into beautiful bottom, formed
BY lateral valley, which presented picture Of
home beauty that went directly to our hearts. The
edge of the wood for several miles along the river,
was dotted with the white covers Of cmigrant wag.
ons, collected in groups at different camps, where
the smokes were rising laziy from the fires, around
which the women were occupied in preparing the
evening meal, and the children playing in the grass;
and herds of cattle grazing about in the bottom had
an air Of quiet security, and civilized comfort that
made rare sight for the traveller in such remote
Wilderness
We shall conclude our present extracts with an
account of the celebrated "Beer" springs Of that To-
cality:
"Although somewhat disappointed in the expec-
tations which various descriptions had led me TO
form of unusual beauty of situation and scenery,
found il altogether place Of very great interest;
and traveller for the first time in volcanic region
remains in constant excitement, and at every step
in arrested by something remarkable and new.
There in confusion Of interesting objects gathered
together in small space. Around the place of en-
campment, the Beer springs were numerous; but,
far could ascertain, were entirely confined to
that locality in the bottom. In the bed of tie river
in 'front.' for space of several hundred yards, they
were very abundant; the effervescing gas rising
up and agitating the water in countless bubbling
columns. In the vicinity round about, were
numerous springs of an entirely different, and
equally marked mineral character In a rather
picturesque spot, about ], 800 yards below our
encampmcnt, and Immediately on the river bank
is the most remarkable spring of the place. In an
opening on the rock, a white column of scattered
water is thrown up, in form like jetd'eau, TO
rablc height of about three feet and, though it is
maintained in constant supply, its greatest height
is attained only regular intervals according to the
action ofthe force below. II is accompanied by a
suberranean noise, which, together with the motion
Oh tne WAFER, mukcb worry tttuCu tHc VI
steamboat in motion; and, without knowing that il
had been already previously called, gave to it
the name of the Steamboat spring. The rock through
which il is forced is lightly raised in convex man
ner and gathered at the opening into urn-mou,hed
form, and is evidently formed by continued deposi
ton from the water, and colored bright red by oxide
Of iron. An analysis Of this deposited rock, which
! subjoin, will give you some idea Of the properties
of the water, which, with the exception Of the Beer
springs. the mineral water of the place." 1t is
hot spring, and the water has pungent and
disagreeable metallic taste, leaving burning effect
on the tongue. Within, perhaps, two yards of the
jet-deau, is a small hole of about inch in dame
ter, through which, at regular intervals, escapes
blast of hot air, with light wreath of smoke, nc
companied by regular noise This hole had been
noticed by Dr. Wislizcnus, a gentleman who, sew
eral years snce passed by this place, and who re-
marked, with very nice observation, that smelling
the gas which issued from the orifce produced
sensation Of giddiness and nausea. Mr.. Preuss
and myself repeated the observation, and were so
well satisfied with its correctness. that we did not