The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-22
FREMoNT's EXPEDITIONS.


Fremont's reports Of his expeditions TO the West,
has induced to trace out something of the history
and causes of these expeditions, which we will now
lay before your readers.
The immense region of country west Of the Mis-
sissppi had been for many years kind of terra in
cognifa. Travellers had passed over it, hunters and
rappers had penetrated many Of its recesses; vague
and uncertain accounts Of its mineral resources, its
water courses, its mountains, hills, valleys, and
prairies had been presented as romances to the
public; but accurate geographical knowledge, we'll
defined positions from astronomical observations,
were wanting, and were rare. We had maps, as
they were called, in which travellers and hunters
had put down their guesses of courses and distan-
ces of the ranges of mountains, Of lakes and rivers
extent of PRAIRIE &c, &C.; but such were the dis
crepances of different authorities, that it evil
dent but little reliance could be placed upon them.
Various expeditions had been sent into that coun-
try but these had rather whetted appetite than gra
fed desire. The first of these, of noorety and inn
portance, was the celebrated expedition of Lewis
and Clark; which, for holiness of design, and sue
cess of execution under most singular difficulties,
for hardihood and courage, may be justly placed
among the extraordinary events Of the age. Pioneers
at every step upon an unknown path and among an
unknown, warlike and numerous race of savage peo-
pie, these bold adventurers conducted their small
party to the Rocky mountains, through the terrible
passes of those mountains, (for at that time the
South pass was not KNOWN then down the waters
of the western slope of these mountains to the
mouth Of the Columbia, on the Pacific; returning
through similar dangers and exposures safely to
st. Louis. This expedition was in lS04-5 g. But,
although its management deserves the greatest praise,
and although much valuable knowledge was collect
ed by it, vet il cannot be denied that defective
in exact geographical understanding few mate
rails for map. This remark is not made in any
feeling of reproach to those distinguished and
mertorious travellers. 1t was not to be ex-
pected that these men, warning with nature at
every step--never exempt from danger OF attack
by numerous bands Of Indians fond of plumber
and rapine, and viewing all strangers enemies
obliged TO exert an unceasing vigilance for the pres
ervation of life-could bestow time upon determi-
nations Of latitude and longitude. Science requires
leisure and security He who is obliged to have
his rifle continually in his hand either to defend life
from an enemy, or to obtain food, has not time to
handle a sextant. The next expedition was that of
Major Y. NJ Pike, in 1905, 1906, and l607-he
who was afterwards killed in the attack upon York
Upper Canada. This expedition was confined TO
the upper waters Of the Mississippi, and the west
parts Of Louislana--an exploring expedition,
seeking statistical rather than geographical matter;
yet however, rejecting great merit upon the perse-
verance, courage, and intelligence Of its command
ing officer.
There was now a suspension Of expeditions Of
this kind for several years. when, in 1873, the War
Department originated the expeditions to the Rocky
mountains, under the command of Major s. II.
Long, of the corps Of typographical engineers
Long commanded two expeditons--the first in
1sl9-'20, to the Rocky mountains; the second
in 1893, to the sources Of the St. Peters, the
Lake of the Woods, &C., &c. Several scientific
men were of these expeditions; among others, the
celebrated Mr.. Say. And among the officers of the
army who we're with Major Long, we happy
TO recognise, as still living, Major J. ID. Graham
and Captain w. III. Swift, Both at present officers
of the corps OF typographical engineers, The ac-
count of these expeditions occupies four octave vol
II with he enneidored he
frs, methodical and scientific notices Of the coun-
tries visited. Long, however, labored under the
difficulties of passing through an unknown and
enemy's country, with small party necessarily
Now Lieutenant Colonel Long, Of the corps Of topo.
graphical engineers.