Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-16
EXPEDITION TO CALIFORNIA.


emigran,s will leave Fort Smith, Arkansas,
for California, about the first Of April We
learn from good authority, that this is certainly
the shortest, and deemed by many intelligent
men, as well as by officers of the army, who
with de:achments have explored great por.
ton oil ii, 10 be the safest and least difficult
route We hear that body of United States
Dragons will go as an escort.
CIRCULAR OF THE FORT SMITH CALL
FORNlA ENGRAVING COMPANY.
In presenting CIRCULAR 10 The public, 10 rel
erence 10 The Company now forming a, F0yt Smlih
Tor California, ii appears necessary mat all OF
the enquiries, or most Of Them, pIopCundeu by
those who are lcsIIUus ci attaching themselves 10
the Company, with view Of seeking home in
The beau!Ilni, delightful and rich region OF Cali
lofnla should be answered as fully as possible.
As very large number oi letters have Ueen ie-
ceived, lion various portions Of the U. States, by
The Agents Of The Company, il would occupy their
whole lime 10 answer separately, these numerous
letters; they have therefore, for The purpose Of
satisfying every one, and giving all the ihlorma-
lion in their power, Concluded 10 publish such
questions and The answers 10 them, as The nature
Of The case demands.
|. TuE ROUTE What roue does the Company
from Fort Smith intend 10 lravpl7
Ansper.-The route up the North Fork of the
Canadian river, as laid down by Mr.. Josiah
Gregg in his Commerce NJ Tie i,ratTicS," and
lately travelled by detachment u Uniled States
Dragons, under the command of Lieut.. Buford,
10 Santa Fe, leaving Santa Fe, however 10 HE
north, some distance, and going near Altuquer
que Immediately 10 ElPasso ard perhaps take
the route travelled by Maj Cook, u. 5. A., in
the year 1916. This road he describes in leueI
10 Col. Albert, as being comparatively level, and
the water and range good, with only a single
exception OF distance OF IS miles. The whole
distance from Memphis TO The Pacific, is estina-
led by 1t. Maury, OF the U. 5. Navy, 10 be 1900
miles; and For Smith being 300 miles nearer,
the distance will be, according 10 his estimate
only ZOO miles bur as straight road has moi
yet been la out, we cannon give any correct es-
timale OF the distance from this point 10 the Pa
cifc. However, we feel certain he distance is
much nearer than was a. first anticipated Wag.
CONS can travel on this route with ease and safe
~, The plains being 50 large, lie ground over
which The company will have 10 pass, can be
selected and bad places thereby avoided. Two
hundred miles OF This route is plain wagon
road and Tor that distance, provisions and Tor.
age can be purchased al very reasonable prices
point of destination in so or 100 lays from The
time OF starting We would here remark, that
an excellent guide, one well acquainted with The
country, and can speak the Camanche, and other
Indian languages, will accompany the expcdi.
lion.
2. What kind of wagon and team is prefera-
bic.
An,.-The lightest that can be constructed,
that will be strong and durable. Great care
should be taken in the selection o. good wagons
and teams, as on these depend the speed, and
success Of the company. Wagons may be made
for two four, or six horses, or oxen, the largest
not TO carry over $500 lbs, and The smaller in
proportion, and may be drawn BY horses, mules,
or oxen. A number OF persons going with The
company, intend taking oxen, as they are sup
posed TO be easier taken care Of, than either
horses or mules. Each wagon should carry one
or two good axes, one shovel or L.attoci, one
saw, two or three chisels and augers, rawing
knife, and TO every family or mess, good sub
stanlial tent with all The fixtures.
3. What provisions are necessary
.3aS-Each person should take 100 lbs. ba.
con, $50 lbs. -four, 3 lbs. coffee, 80 b.. sugar,
and lard, salt, pepper, and other smaller arti-
Giles of foo as may be thought necessary; the
first mentioned articles mist DO taken.
4. What arms and ammunition are necessa-
ry?
fins Every man should be provided with a
good ride, or shot gun, brace OF pistols, and
good knife 10 be carried in the belt, about 5
lbs. Of powder, and 10 lbs. of lead.
Will merchants be permitted 10 take
goods'
Ins.-Yes. But those taking goods must not
overload their wagons, and must comply with
the acquisitions in reference to the amount TO
be carried by each wagon.
q. Can stock Of any kind be taken.
ans.-Such stock may be taken as can travel
without impeding he progress Of the company,
and q, much as each person taking stock, can
attend 10.
Horses, mules and oxen, can be obtained
here perhaps IS many as will supply The de-
mand. Those persons who would prefer hay
lug their wagons made where they now reside,
can 10 SO, and ship TO this place. Provisions
can be purchased low. Young men, deslrous OF
attaching themselves 10 the company, might
form messes Of four or more, and buy small
wagon and team to haul their provisions, camp
equlpage, SC. Indeed, we know Of ,ever.l
who intend dong SO. Perhaps no por ion of IN
world holds out greater inducements 10 The
young man than that oil California, and every
sober, industrious young man who may go
there, and who will use The proper means, VIII
lay foundation Tor wealth and usefulness
Several young men have made application Tor
situations as teamsteTs To such we would
say We have no authority 10 employ any, that
being the business OF these who have teams
along Each owner Of wagon and team viii
have to furnish his own teamsters. There may
be call Tor number OF such persons when
the rendezvous takes place but the agents can
not hold out any inducements 10 persons wish
ing TO go in that capacity.
Every emigranl should see that he is provided
with every article required on The roa /; above
all, see that his wagon and harness are good,
and to be sure to take along the means TO re-
pair either, should they need it on the road
II is Useless to attempt to 60 on such an expedI-
ton without beng well prepared for il, aud we
have no doubt that many ntlle conveniences,
necessary to be taken, will suggest them elves
TO the mind OF the emigrani that do not now
occur 10 the agents. We would say, therefore,
be we'll prepared for the trip.
Alter The rendezvous, regulations will have 10
be adopted, and proper officers CHOSEN 10 govern
and conduct Inc expedition, that harmony may
be enjoyed and The expedition move with Gel
fanny ADD IdcllIy. II must DC abpdieH. ~ every
one, that good rules and regulations must be
adopted, and the forming Of hem teiongs 10 the
Company alone, and 1t would be presumption f'r
The agents to lay down a SET OF rules 10 govern
company OF persons, who are themselves, The
only proper aulnorly TO ix those rules and Iegu-
.ations Suffice il 10 say, however, that no per
son will be permiued 10 unite with The company
unless he possesses good character; 50 lar, We
have the names 81 large number oil gentlemen
Of The frs. standing anc respectablliy; men VINO
are determined, with The blessing Of Divine Pro-
whence, TO go through to The Pacific, and have
made u2 their minds 10 endure the hardshps IN
cident TO a journey Of such distance. J. would
BE- folly Tor US 10 say that the pain viii be ~ u
ed with flowers, and tia, the emiaraat .lil oniy
have 10 pluck them as he passes a.,ng. Tnefe
will be much 10 be seen that is c.l.u!aled 10
amuse AMI excite tee mind Of he emisran', but
there will be also iabJr and walchfuluess required
by every one.
Fort Smith is al the head OF steamboat navi.
CATION, On The South side of the Arkansas river,
containing population Of near one thousand in
habiiants. There is military post adjoining