The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-31
THIRD EXPLORING TOUR TIC THE PA
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The expedition TO the Rocky Mountains, under
command of Capt. ]. G. Fremont, of the United
States army, being the third exploring tour Of that
officer, left Westport on the 26th ult. Capt. FIRE.
mont is assisted by two junior officers Of the topo-
graphical corps, and employs eighty men. The de-
sign Of this expedition is to complete the surveys of
the plains and mountains intervening between the
western boundary and the Pacific, heretofore par
TALLY accomplished by the exploring squadron and
the two former expeditions of Capt. Fremont As
far as we can learn, this party will proceed survey
the Arkansas river to its sources; after completing
which, the party will be divided. One division will
then return by way of the head of the Rio del Norte,
through the country of the Camanche Indians on
the sources of Red river and by the lower waters of
the Arkansas. The main division, under Capt.
Fremont, will the Colorado. complete the sur
vey Of the great Salt Lake, and penetrate, by the
waters of Mary's river, (Which flows westwardy
through Upper California, in the vicinity of the
42A parallel Of latitude, and is lost in a lake at
the eastern base of the California mountains. J
IL is believed that, from point on Mary's river,
some days journey from its mouth, the head of
the Sacramento may be reached in two days
travel. The Sacramento penetrates the main
chain OF the California mountains, and forms a
practical pass directly to the Bay Of San francisco
This is already known 1t 10 also known that
practical route exists from the head of the Sacra-
mento, in northerly direction, by the heads of
the Klamet Chuttes, and Willamette rivers, on the
Soh"uo'o' Hc Ioute, lnen ny winch capt. Ere
mont proposes to penetrate to the Pacific is the
shortest and most direct from the lower Mis-
souri,; Of thtr, the portion from the head of the Ar
kansas 10 the head of the Sacramento, about $50
miles In distance, is yet UNEMPLOYED by the white
man, and is generally designated as the dgreat Cali
fornia desert" None of its waters, except the Col
orado, reach the ocean, they absorbed or disap-
pear by corporations.
After passing the winter among the American set
Elements OF Upper California, the exploring party
will, if the country be found practicable pass round
by the lower route from California crossing the
Colorado below the "Great Cation and return to
the Arkansas by the waters of the Ga and ST.
Juan, large tributaries Of the lower Colorado, which
have their sources west of the mountains of New
Mexico. This sketch contcmplates a route of five
or six thousand miles. 1t will probably eventuate
in the discovery Of new and straight road both to
Oregon and California, passing for the most part
through our own territory, diminishing the distance
some three four hundred miles, and the time two
months The country to the right and left will be
examined, and its geography-at present blank
somewhat understood The Importance of these
contemplated explorations is very great every con-
fidence is repOsed in the energy and ability of the
commanding officer. We shall hope for their sue
cess, and look anxously for their safe return tow
ards the close of the year lS46.Wesern Exposition.