Arkansas intelligencer., 1848-10-07
From the Fort Smith Herald.
Public MeGting-ROad TO California.


next Legislature the subject of calling upon the
General Government to open a road 10 Santa Fe
and California, up the Arkansas and Canadian ri.
vers, Capt. John Rogers called to the Chair
and Jno F. Wheeler appointed Secretary.
The Chairman explained the object of the meet
ing by few remarks, and requested Gen. Jones
to make some farther explanation of the subject;
which he did by giving an outline of the proposed
road, setting forth its superior advantages over
every other.
Solomon f. Clark, Esq, made short speech on
the subject. After which a motion was made to
appoint a committee to report set Of resolutions
expressive Of The views Of the meeting, when the
Chair appointed Solomon F. Clarke, Esq, w. w.
Fleming, Mitchell Sparks, Saml. L. Griffith aud
Gen. w. G. Jones, the committee. After retir-
ING cew minutes, the committee returned and re-
ported the following preamble and resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, By a late treaty, made and ratified be-
tween the government Of the United States and
that of Mexico, whereby large portion Of the ter
| rtOry Of the latter, embracing the northern por-
! ton Of New Mexico and California, has been
cedod to the United States; the subject of pub
! lie road from some point on the western border
of the United States, TO the city of Santa Fc and
thence TO California, has become matter of Iu-
creased Importance, as well TO the United States
government, for the purposes of transporting
troops and government stores into the newly ac-
quIred territory. as TO the importance and nte-
| rests of internal commerce with that portion Of
our country. and also to the public at large, as
q means of facilitating the colonization Of those
important regions bordering upon the Pacific.
AHd 1Clereas, By far the most convenient route
for such road commences somewhere in the vici nj
ty of the point where the western line Of Arkansas
crosses the Arkansas river, thence nearly in a
westward direction along the valley of the Cana
dian in nearly q direct line 10 Santa Fe, as ap-
tp siSfoc hyf he al facts
which are the concurrent testimony of all persons
acquainted with the various routes through the
western country: among whom, mentioning no
others, reference may be had 10 Josiah Gregg.
author of g Commerce of the Praries," and Maj
Bonneville of the u. 5. Army.
This route and that commencing at independence
Mo-, the oaly ones which can demand the at
tention of the public: the Arkansas route com
mencing near Fort Smith, in latitude 81 deg. 24
min, and nearly the same with that Of Santa Fe,
and on nearly the same degree of longitude with
Independence, is several days travel shorter than
that OF Mo. the former passing mos: Of the way
up the valley OF the Canadian, the traveller is
never without a sufficient supply of water, the
want of which produces by far the most appalling
difficulties in traversIng these western wilds. Ac-
cordIug to the best authorities, the dry arid plains
which intersect the Missouri route are sometimes
80 10 100 miles across, and frequently wholly des.
titute of water. Most fatal disasters have fre-
quenty occurred to the caravans upon these sandy
plains, for want Of thes indispensable element.
This route commencing 250 to $40 miles south
of that of Miss our caravans are enabled to start
near q month carrier IN he season, in consequence
of tho grass spinging up that much earlier than
IN Upper Mo-, giving ProPrletOrs of expeditions TO
Nania Fe double the time 10 conduct their NOR
camille transactions.
Moreover, the season of frost in this route aS-
vancIng much later, return companies would find
much better pasiurage their way back and be
enabled 10 reach their homes without experiencing
the rgors of winter.
The Arkansas route is much the more level
and direct and in no place intersocted bv noun.
talns or large hills It is less nersected bv large
streams which are subject to rise and deter the
progress of caravans, although there are more
wood-sklrted brooks afordlng along the whole
route agreeable camping places and plenty Of
timber for the caravans.
Therefore,
Resolred, as the sense Of this meeting, That it
Is the duty ofthe General Assembly of this State
at their ensuing session TO bring Ehis suec, before
Congress, by instructions 10 the Senators from
this State or otherwise they may see fit. and
urge upon them the eXpediency of having said
route surveyed and public road established upon
the Same as soon as practicable after the next
session of Congress.
ReSolred, That for the Accomplishment of this
object, our Representatives in the Goneaal As
Selio'y De ana lhey are hereby requested 10 bring
this matter before the General Assembly al the
ensuing session thereof
ReSolred, That our Representative in Congress
be also respectfully requested to use his endeavors
to call the attention of Congress to the expedi-
ency OF said road and urge upon them the advan.
Iage OF having the same Immediately surye yed
out and established.
RssOlred, That in our opinion the establishment
OF public road upon said route is matter of
paramount importance 10 all those engaged or who
may wish hereafter to engage in the lucrative
commerce with North Mexico and the countries
contiguous; and 10 all those who may wish by
emigration to avail themselves Of the healthful and
snlubrious climate and fertile regions of Califor-
MA as a home and that we call the attention of
the public IN general to the superior advantages
which the establishment of such road will present
IN the great work of developing the vast and va
rled resources Of this newly acquired and impor.
'anf country, and in rendering them subsequent to
the great purposes of our political progress and ma
tIonai prosperity.
ResOlUed, That in the progress of civilization
westward; IN the extension of our political iusti
tutlons; and in the general development Of our
national resources, II is manifest That n orao, !