Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-15

"NoV 'hu'uHsi says S'pt' - I was WI
chilly struck 10y an expression of the coun
lenOnce resembling that in baest OF prey
and all their actions are those of wild
animals" Lizard. the only animals funnc
in the region) are their chief article of food
On the 9th of May they arrived on the
banks of the Rio Virgen, tributary Of
The Rio Colorado, which flows into the
Gulf of California. Here Tobeau, one
OF the men who had been left to guard the
horses while they were feeding in vnl,
ley, was murdered by the Indians anc
thrown into the river. His mule was also
killed. The elevation Of the country had
been increasing ever since they struck the
Spanish trail, and at this place they were
1000 feet above the level of the sea. In
lat 34a deg, it was only about 1000 feet,
Ga the 10th of May, in lat, 81 deg. %
min, and long. 1874 deg. w. the charac-
ter of the country was changed. They
had thus far been travelling over a desert
of barren sands, rocks and mountains. --
Here vegetation suddenly appeared, the
mountains were covered with cedar, pine
and other trees, and there was grass on the
hills. On the llb they arrived at the
Santa Clara, u branch OF the Rio Virgen.
Proceeding up this stream they were the
next day on tho dividing ridge of noun
talns forming the southeast border of the
Great Basin, and separating the waters
which flow south into the Colorado, from
those flowing north into the lakes in the
Great Basin On the 18th they encamp-
ed on the head waters of Sewer river,
which flows north into the Sewer Lake, in
the Great Basin. They were 5000 feet
above the sea, and the mountains, covered
with snow, we're 1000 feet higher. They
had now travelled 400 miles on the Span
ish trail, and were $50 from Walkers Pass
in the Sierra Neveda, journey of 81
days, over a barren, inhospltabe region,
The Indians became more numerous
and more annoying and the party were
obliged TO march constantly ready for com.
bat; and at night about onc-thrd of the
men were obliged to rcmain'on guard.
AT this point, called the Vegas de Santa
Clara, Capt, +. had the qualification OF
being joined by the famous hunter and
trapper Mr.. Joseph Walker, who had lett
California with the great Santa Fe cara.
van, after Capt Fremont's departure. Per-
ceiying by signs along the trail that there
was party OF whites aheud, which he sup.
posed to be that Of Capt. f., he left the
caravan, with 8 other Americans, and by
great exertion succeeded in overtaking the
party: not, however, without narrowly es-
Gaping from a marauding party Of Indians.
They fought their way through them, kill.
ing two of them, and having their own
horses wounded.
The party continued along the brim OF
the Great Basin, in northeast direction
of all the streams, they crossed flowing to
lhe left into the Basin. On the 10Th Of
May they reached a salt lake, about seven
miles long and one broad, at the point in
the mountains, which is here called the
Wahsdtch, where, through pass, The rrall
turns east, towards the Colorado and Santa
Fe, over mountainous country. Here
they left the trail, and followed the edge OF
the Great Basin, along the foot Of the
Wdhsatch mountains, towards the Great
Salt Lake, which was now not far from
them. They had now says Capt. F. "enler,
ed a region Of great pastoral promise
Astounding with fine streams, the rich
bunch grass, soil that would produce wheat,
and indigenous fax, growing as if it had
been sown." This vegetation though,
does not extend far into Great Basin.
On the Doth OF May Capt. + met a band
Of Utah Indians, all mounted and armed with
rifles. They we're robbers on their way to
meet the great caravan, Mr. Walker had
left. Three days afterwards the party ar.
rived at Sewer river, which flows into a
lake Of the same name II is fine stream
about l2 feet deep. They crossed it on
RATS Of bulrushes, and the next day arriv-
ed at Utah Lake, which communicates
with the Great Salt Lake. Utah Lake is
a body of flesh water, about J 5 miles long,
is surrounded almost entirely by lofty
mountains, receiving from them many
streams, the largest Of which is Timpun-
ogo, a name given TO the lake on some
maps. Timpan ogo signifies Rock River,
in the Utah language. The borders Of this
lake is fertile.
Arrived at this lake, our party had com
pleted the circuit which they had been s
months in performing Of what is called the
Great Basin; but The nature Of this vast
Basin was not determined. Capt. F. had
only ascertained its dimensions. il is en-
lirely surrounded by lofty mountains, The
Sierra Navada being the highest. II can
not, says Capt. f. be less than four or five
hundred miles broad, and as many long.
Nothing whatever is known Of this vast re-
gion; but as there is no large river run
ming out Of it, and as there are lofty
mountains covered with snow, surrounding
it on all sides, from which vast quantities
of vUater must constantly descend ln.o the