Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-05-29
Correspondence Of the ST. Louis Repvblicon
CALIFORNIA AND OREGON EAPEDl-
TlON-SANTE FIX TRADE.

lSDEfENDEScE, Mo, May lin, 1916.
Our town Tor the few last weeks, has pre- |
scented scene OF business equal TO crowded |
city Emigranis to Oregon and California |
have been pouring in oil from quarters to |
this point, which Is made their general rem
devious. Ii is here that most OF them Law i'm
their outfit, comprising all sorts OF inerchan-
disc. groceries and provisions wagons, oxen,
mules aud harness. There are this spring
two distinct companies, one 10 Oregon and
the other TO CALIFORNIA; and heretofore they
have crossed the mountains, but at present the
number To each expedition is Sufficient TO or
ganize and protect themselves from the lndi
ans.
The number Of emiganls is not yet known,
nor can 1t be until they reach their general en-
Compliment on Kansas river, about 100 miles
west OF tins place, and where a census will be
taken. A finer looking body OF emignnis
than the present | have Rever seen-manly
aud bold in their appearance. aud generally
we'll equipped for SO long and tedious joum-
ey as they have before them. Among them
are persons of all ages. even to the old man
following his grandchildren. ! saw a yenen
BILE man, u years of age, who has been a sea
captain, and was born upon Cape OF our At
lantiC coast, now going to bury his bones upon
the shores OF the Pacific He is patriarch
indeed-has his children aud grand children
with him, and ten wagons TO convey them
a small feet for the plaiusl
Some OF the emigants have wagons fitted
up in the best sty ,carpeted, with chairs, beds
z and looking-glsss, for the convenience OF fam
i lilies. There are numerous young girls JUS
; blooming young girls just blooming into wo
; manhood, and many OF them beautiful neatl,
y dressed and bound for Oregon and California
Young men going TO these countries need havi
1 no fear OF not being able TO get a wife, for
= assure them that the assortment of girls in tn
{ present companies Is by no means indifferent
) Some OF the wagon covers have on then
5 " OregOn-5io iU-oH or noner'-and "a,
= they arc willing to fight for 1t il necessary.
i. Part OF the Oregon cmigrants have started, am
= Others will start to morrow; their presen
camp IS 8 miles south west OF independence
o The California emignnts will not leave 70
n few days. la my next, will give you SOM
y statistical information of the present compan
n ies--thcir number commander, number o
" wagons, amount OF prisoners &c.
j. A number of Sante Fe companies hav
: come in this spring, aud some have gone out
{ Magoihns company will be in tomorrow O
next day from CHIHUAHUA. Nearly doubl
l. the amount OF goods will be taken out thi
Z year 10 any previous year. IL is thought tina
II upwards OF 400 wagons viii leave lndepen
Y denCe Tor Mexico this year, aud they ma
c safely set down at four thousand per wagon
j. Col. ). G. Owens has not vet left lie has
e very large amount of goods imported directl
It from England, thereby having the duty takel
i off at his point, il they pass through in thei
original package. Most OF the traders are be
ginning to take the benefit of the drawback b.
e purchasing foreign goods in the original pack
9 ass.-SPeyers * Co, are TO leave to day wit
{ a very large lot OF English goods. will Civ
I you shortly some statistical information n
this important trade--a trade that, | believe
could be of the utmost importance to Missouri
The amount OF specie brought in annually {,
tins point Is very great. and might be great,
increased. have hastily given YOU sketch
OF these things, bat will in my next enter into
The details and give You facts as they stand.
n Yours IL