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

Captain Fremont had been directed to ascertain
the truth in reference to certain passes in these
mountains He says ON this subject;
81 had been able to obtain no certain information
in regard to the character Of the passes In this por
ton of the Rocky mountain range, which had al
ways been represented as mpractcabe for carriages,
but the exploration Of which was incidentally con-
templated by my instructions, with the view Of find
ing some convenient point Of usage for the road Of
emigration, which would enable it to reach, on a
more direct line, the usual ford Of the Great Colora-
do--a place considered determined by the nature
of the country beyond that river 1t is singular that
Immediately at the foot OF the mountains, could
find no one sufficiently acquainted with them to guide
us TO the plains at their base; but the OF
trappcrs who formerly lived in their reccsses has al
most entirely isappearcd--dwindled to few scat
tered NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. one or two of whom are
regularly killed In the course Of each year by the
Indians. You will remember that, in the previous
year, brought with me to their village near this
post, and Hospitality treated on the way, several
Cheyenne Indians, whom | had met on the Lower
Platte. Shortly after their arrival here, these were
out with party Of Indians themselves the princi-
pal men, which discovered few trappers in tho
neighboring mountains, whom they Immediately
murdered, although one of them had been nearly
thirty years in the country, and was perfectly well
known, as he had grown gray among ihem."
He here divided his party in order TO multiply
chances Of discovery, having determined himself to
try the passage made by the "Cache- ala Poudrs''
river, through the "Black hills" to the Laramie
plains" He left "Fort ST. Vrain" on the 26th. Al
ready on the 29,h his difficulties commenced;
"We were compelled by the nature Of the ground
to cross the river eight or nine times at difficult,
deep, and rocky fords the stream running with great
force swollen by the rans--a true mountain torrent,
only forty or fifty feet wide. 1t was mountain
valley Of the nnrrowest kind--almost chasm and
the scenery very wild and beautiful. Towering
- AZ
dark with forests of pine, and sometimes with lofty
precpices, washed by the river; while below, as II
they Unidentified themselves in luxuriance for the
scanty space, the green river bottom was covered
with wilderness Of flowers, their tall spikes some
times rising above our heads as we rode among
them. A profusion of blossoms on a white flower
ing vine, (eiemats iasianihi,) which was abundant
along the river, contrasted handsomely with the
green foliage Of the trees"
On the 3Oth he attained more level country:
Emerging from the mountains, we entered a 10
gion of bright, fair weather. In my experience in
this country, was forcibly impressed with the diff
ferent character Of the climate on opposite sides OF
the Rocky mountain range. The vast prairie plain
on the east is like the ocean, the rain and clouds
from the constantly evaPoraiing snow Of the noun
tains rushing down into the heated air Of the plains,
on which you will have occasion to remark the fire.
quent storms Of rain encountered during jour
ney,"
His route continued favorable. We make an
other extract from it, as it brings notice an cscu-
lent root, which, with proper cultivation, may be
added to our table Injuries
".asgua 2.--Tempcrst,uc at sunrise SIC, and
scenery and weather made our road to-day delight
full. The neghboring mountain is thicky studded
with pines intcrminged with the brighter foliage Of
aspcns, and occasional spots like lawns between the
patches Of snow among the pines, and here and
there on the heights. Our route below lay over a
comparative plain, covered with the same brilliant
vegetation, and the day was clear and PLEASANTLY
streams clear and rocky, and broad grassy valleys,
Of strong black soil washed down from the noun
tsins, and producing excellent pasturagc. These
were timbered with the red willow and Iong-leaved
cottonwood, mingled with aspen, as we approached
the mountain more nearly towards noon. Epsr-