Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-12-15

A third object o. interest which the expedition
has brought TO light, is the existence of a rock
of magnificent proportions and Of fair surface,
upon which found inscribed, in some in
stances, in beautiful and deeply engraten charac-
ters, the names of number Of persons of rank
and of Distinction connection with the dates OF
their passing by the locality, and some incidental
allusions to occupation and history. One of these
dates reaches back for 1906, and there are
number of others of this and the succeeding
century. 1t is not at all improbable that these
inscriptions may be found of value in the sugges-
tion establishment of some point points OF
history, and as such, are to he rosa rded with at
ten,inn interest. Fac SMILES Of all these in
scriptions have had taken, well as drawings
made Of every important object OF natural curio-
slty, and plans and drawings made of all the prn.
cipal ruins which have come under observation.
A full map, giving ali the positions of our seve-
raj camps, attudinally and longtudnay, the
accidents of ground, the localities of the several
objects Of interest and curiosity, well as a full
report of the route ruins and Inscriptions to be
illustrated by sketches taken on the spot, | hope
to be able 10 furnish for the of the Government,
in the course of one or two months.
Another matter of interest which has been
evolved by the expedition, and which have come
near forgetting, bu! which probably stands fore
most in point Of value; is he belief that we have
hit upon middle route between the southern de-
tour made by Colonel Cook from Santa Fe, and
the northern one, called the Spanish trail route,
sad to be equally long 1t is very certain that,
from Santa Fe to Zuni, distance of near two
hundred miles, and in q most direct course TO
the city of the Angels we traversed well-wutered
CODED, nd pnstured route, which, with very lille
labor, can be mnde excellent wagon road.
And guide, Carravaha, informed me that
from Zuni, which stands upon the Rio Zuni, a
tributary of the Colorado, running generally n
direct westwardly course 10 the Colorado, and
uhich he hns followed down to its mouth from
Zuni to the Colorado, by way of the Rio Zuni, the
road is equally practicable for wagons, and bounds
in the necessary quanium OF wood, grass, and
water. If so, and the route can be as favorably
extended from the Colorado westward 10 the Pa
cific - of which have very little doubt = there is
no question but that wagon route has been OBJ
ia ned which cannot but shorten the distance 10
San Francisco, arleast from three 10 four hundred
miles, if not morde sno''ouposq es.--s,r,z-.-
had with me dn1hs expe5aiosp tclassise ~ in
my duties, the TWO, o,tseahesb Ksrn-s koah hfIisho
were wiih Colonel FrePanb in his last expsditign.
And it was fortunatc shar my party was 90 con,
stituted, for, with them, vas eha Bed io keep IN
the topography Of the route pursued by The troops
and at the same time separate myself for one and
two days together from the command, to explore
the ruins ond remains Of which | have already
made mention.
Enclcscd ! have the honor 10 forward COPY
OF an oiier this day received from Colonel Wash
Ington. The reconnaissance which this order
requires If me, will probably employ me for ten
or twelve iays; but, in the meantime, my assis-
tants will continue 10 be engaged upon the maps
and dravings of the expedition of which | have
already mad cursory report.
am, Sir, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
~ J. Fl. SIMPSON,
Firt Lieut.. Corps Top. Engineers.