The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-19
Route to California.


We publish this morning map of the route from
Corpus Christi TO San Francisco The map is
drawn by Capt. Fairchild from the notes of Col.
Hays Mr.. Evertson, and the report of Maj Cooke,
and engraved by Messrs Shields & Collins of this
city in their usual excellent style. 1t forms of
series which we intend to give of the overland
routes to California.
The distance from Corpus Christi by the road
here laid down, will be about fifteen hundred miles,
perhaps, few miles more. 1t has the advantage,
however, northern routes in being practi-
cable at all seasons of the year. in being less sub
ject to the inconvenience arising from the ince
mencies of the weather, and in lying through
gion of country in which grass and water and game
may be every where obtained.
Col Hays, who started from San Antonio, and
became somewhat embarrassed by losing his way,
nevertheless says:
GO 1t is about one hundred and fifty miles from
Paso del Norte to the Pecos. Puerco) over good
country for wagons, from thence to an Indian trail
which leads to the head of the Sau Saba fifty miles,
from thence to San Antonio, one hundred and fifty
miles. In direct line it is not three hundred miles,
but this way it is over beautiful and level country,
with the exception OF a few miles between San An
tonic apd Camp Llano. There will be nothing to
detan wagon this route, except III crossing the
Pecos Puerco) which is a narrow stream and can
be forded except when high. Although have not
examined the whole way to the Paso del Norte,
satisfied from authority on which fully rely,
that the road can be constructed without any OBJ
srucon to that place. by ascending the PecOs fifty
miles and crossing over TO the valley of the Rio
Grande. Ii is one hundred and fifty miles from
Preside del Nore to Paso del Norte, but by leav-
ing the PecOs at point fifty miles above the Paso
del Norte road the distance will be considerably
shortened. party leaving at this season OF the
year from this part of the country, would necessa-
rly suffer from the cold north winds and would not
find as good grass would be had at any other
time But even now ! feel confident that the trip
might be made. The distance from Matagorda Bay
to Paso del NOrte cannot exceed six hundred and
fifty miles. the way the road will run and am
fully satisfied that it must be the road to California
at all seasons OF the year, having every advantage
the Missouri route either ii regards distance,
climate or country.
This letter was written about the beginning of
January, when of course the weather the
severest.
Mr.. Evertson, in a letter under the date of the
Goth of November, writes as follows:
understanding that you contemplate the open
ing of trading route to the vicinity of Chihuahua,
herewith send you the result of my observations
in that direction having returned on the 9th ult,
after absence of AZ days, in examining for a route
from this point reaching about 50 miles beyond the
Puerco, with party in all consisting of fourteen
men and boys. If your contemplated route lies IN
that direction it would afford pleasure in sending
you plot of the country as far examined. A
practical wagon road can be found with very little
labor from the head of the Las MOras crossing the
Styx heretofore supposed to be the Puerco) and the
Pierco diving about Is miles farther west, about
80 miles from their entrance into the Rio Grande.
On our return we crossed the
Puerco a few miles farther up, on an old trail, and
the Styx about Is miles on principal trail, and
from thence to the head of the Las Moras, when
consider the only feasible route between the low
country and the Rio GranGe west of the Puerco.
3" our route would naturally lead up the Nuecgs
IN the vicinity of its west bank until near the para
lei Of Preside Rio Grande; thence move Westardly
10 avoid very broken country that lies west OF the
Nueces. and north of the Wall Road, extending
nearly to the head of the Las Moras''
OF the entire practicability of the road from Cor
pus Christi to the Paso del Norte there is no longer
a doubt; and the explorations which are now being
made will soon render it as familiar as the ordinary
highways of the country. The route for nearly the
whole distance lies along the Nueces and the Rio
Grande, where abundance of grass and water can
be procured. When the Paso del Norte is once
reached the remainder of the road is comparatively
easy; it has been passed with ease and safety by
that most cumbersome Of all things travelling, the
wagon-tran of an army-as will be seen by the fol-
lowing letter of Major Cooke, which in this con-
necton we publish although it has appeared before
in our columns:
WASHINGTON, Dec, 6, 1S47
Sir have the honor at your request, TO address
you brief memoir on the subject OF the district Oh