The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-03
COM MUNICATIONS.
FREMoNTs EXPEDITIONS.

We Ieft our talented and daring explorer and his
men quietly reposing themselves, and recruiting
their shattered frames, in the encampment in the
valley Of the Sacramento.
On reviewing the passage of the "Serran we can
not too much admire the intrepid courage, indomi-
table perseverance,, and unceasng vigilance, which il
displays; nor that moral ascendency--the proof OF
a superior mind-which Capt. Fremont had ac-
quired over his men. "The times were severe when
stout men lost their minds from extremity of suffer-
ing; when horses died; and mules and horses, ready
TO die Of starvation were killed for food Yet there
was no murmuring hestation.n Yet there was
no murmuring or hesitation! What proof Of the
confidence of these men in their gallant leader!
What proof that the conduct Of this leader had been
such as to inspire his followers with every conf
dence that he was able TO extrcate them from any
difficulty! And he did extricate them, finally col
ecting all Of his party, without the loss of man. in
his camp OF repose upon the Sacramento.
While there, Capt. Fremont occupies his leisure
hours in giving interesting account of MIR. SUIT
ter's emigration to that country, and of his success
and settlement, and in preparation for his journey
home; for he was yet as far from home as when al
the "Dalles Of the Columbia" He made his en-
campment on the Sacramento on the 9Th of March,
and on the 22d he was ready, and made "prepara-
tory move" homeward. On the Gath, he COM
menced his journey in earnest with an ample stock
of provisions, 100 horses and mules and 80 head OF
cattle, five of which were mich cows. His direct
course east; 'ibut the Sierra would force us
south, above five hundred miles of travelling to the
pass at the head of the San Joaquin river" He
further describes his probable route; when, after
stalking leave Of Mr.. Suffer-" he travelled that day
about eighteen miles, On the 26th, he halted on
.Sknll creeks tributary of the "San joaquin"
His route continues pleasant, though not without
incident, without his usual spirited descriptions,
in the valley of the "San joaquin" BY April, he
got among the elk, having seen drove of about
two hundred. On the 6h still in the valley Of the
tSan Joa0uin >, he drOypa of wild
horses and many Indians. On the 9Th, his latitude
was 800 24 So" and his longitude 1890 Az 40".
On the 1lih Of April, still south Of the Sierra, he
noticed the nirabiAs Jalapa for the first time since
he was near the mountain, and had commenced the
pass Of the Sierra, at pass creek" many miles to
the east Of the sSan Joaquin"
SIN the evening Christian Indian rode into the
camp, well dressed, with long spurs and sombrero,
and speaking Spanish fuently. II was an unex-
pected apparition and strange and pleasant sight
IN this desolate gorge of mountain--an Indian
face, Spanish costume jingling spurs, and horse
equipped after the Spanish manner. He informed
me that he belonged to one of the Spanish missions
TO the south, distant two or three days. ride, and
that he had obtained from the priests leave to spend
a few days with his relations in the Sierra. Hav-
ing seen us enter the pass, he had come down to
visit He appeared Familiarity acquainted with the
country, and gave me definite and clear information
in regard TO the desert region east of the mountains
had entered the pass with strong disposition to
vary my route, and to travel directly towards
the Great Salt lake. in the view Of obtaining some
acquaintance with the interior of the Great Basin,
while pursuing direct course for the frontier; but
his representation, which described il arid and
barren DESERT that had repulsed by its sterilty all
the attempts of the Indians to penetrate it, deter
mined me, for the present, to relinqush the plan;
and, agreeable to his advice after crossing the Ser
ra, continue our intended route along its eastern
base, the Spanish trail By this route party of
six Indians, who had come from great river in
the eastern part of the desert to trade with his peo
pie, had just started on their return. He would
himself return the next day to San Fernando; and
our roads would be the same for two days. he
offered his services to conduct 30 far our way.
His offer was gladly accepted. The fog, which
had somewhat interfered with views in the valley
had entirely passed off and left clear sky. That
which had enveloped us in the neghborhood of
the pass, proceeded evidently from fires kindled
among the tulares by Indians living near the lakes
and which were intended to warn those in the
mountains that there were strangers in the valley,
Our position was in latitude $50 IL l2" and long-
tude 1850 49, o.,
We now subjon his description of this pass, so
different from that which he had been obliged to
take in order TO reach Suffers settlement:
"Gooseberries, nearly ripe, were very abundant
on the mountain; and as we passed the dividing
grounds, which were not very easy to ascertain the
air was filed with perfume, as five were entering
highly cultivated GARDEN and, instead Of green, our
pathway and the mountain sides were covered with
fields Of yellow flowers, which here was the pre-
vai!ing color. Our Journey to-day was in the
midst Of an advanced spring, whose green and floral
beauty offered delightful contrast to the sandy
valley we had just left. All the day snow was in
sight on the butt of the mountain, which frowned
down upon us on the right; but we beheld il now
with feelings Of pleasant security rode along
between green trees and on flowers, with humming-
Iett~ r.. - ~.
livening the serene spring air. As we reached the
summit OF this beautiful pass, and obtained view
into the eastern country, we saw at once that here
was the place to take leave of all such pleasant
scenes as those around us. The distant mountains
were now bald rocks again; and below, the land
had any color but green. Taking into consideration
the nature Of the Sierra Nevada, we found this pass
excellent one for horses and with little labor,
perhaps with perfect examination Of the local
tiles, it might be made sufficiently practicable for
wagons. Its latitude and longitude may be consid-
cred that of our last eneampment, only few miles
distant. The elevation was not taken--our half
wild cavalcade making it too troublesome to halt be-
fore night, when once started" lgle
The journey Of Captain Fremont from the Sac
ramento to "Pass creek" was altogether the
southwest slope of the ssSierra Nevoda'of Calfor-
MIA. His account Of that country is full of inter-
est and his reasoning to show that river Does or
can, cross the Sierra is very conclusive; and there
iofc, as q consequence, great IHpoTtufiCc VI
Columbia as line Of water communication between
the Rocky mountains and the Pacific He was
now again on the northeast side of this famous ISL
erra," pursuing his journey homeward in compare
tive comfort, describing scenes and events with his
usual delightful manner. On the 10Th of April, the
latitude of his camp was $40 AZ 42', and its ongi-
tude 1850 90 00". On the 18Th, he struck the great
object Of his search, 'the Spanish trail" leading
north towards Santa Fe. Since December noun
tains and deserts had been continually forcing him
soulhwardly, and he now had to make "six degrees
Of northng" in order to gain the latitude in which
he wished to cross the Rocky mountains. "A road
to travel on and the right course to go, were joyful
consultations" After giving his animals a day of
rest, he pursued his course to the north on this
''trail.D On the Oath, two Mexicans Ga man and
boy) entered his camp. A few days before, the
party to which they belonged had been surprised
and plundered by party Of Indians. On the Goth
two of his men, who had gone in pursuit Of the In
dams who had plundered the Mexicans, returned,
after having surprised and defeated the party and af
ter having recovered many of the stolen horses His
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