The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-30

4
resources, TO fur nsh provisions and animals for oul
further progress Ell Paso, and to advance the ex
petition IN every possible way.
| take great pleasure IN noticing MIR Leaton here
! His position is In every respect remarkable. Lo
Gated in valley of the Rio Grande, llttle below
| Preside, with some or 10 Americans in his EN-.
| ployment, he has in few months accomplished
great amount of severe labor, fortified himself in
good position, secured his stock, and carried "a
considerable extent his farming operations, his men
being all the while obliged to work with their arms
at hand. They have been exposed TO the iDcursons
Of the Indians side, and TO a series of outra-
geous mpostons and aggressons on the part OF
the Mexicans on the other, and forced to mount
guard day and night.
deemed ii my duty TO make to General Worth
report upon the conduct of the Mexican author
lilies at this place.
Mr.. Leaton informed me that the Indian tribes
were all hostile, and apprehended that il would be
impossible TO avoid fighting on the march to FL
Paso.
| accordingly increased the party by the addition
of two men--all could find to go with me. Leav-
ing all the baggage which could be spared and an
account of our journey thus far, we set out from
Fort Leaton, on the 30th Of March, to try and find
a route by the river TO Ell Paso. | was pleased TO
find that my men were In no wise daunted by the
prophecy that we would not return, and the ac-
counts Of the dangers Of the route. They appeared
as always indifferent and resolute.
The Importance of river road between these
points had been strongly urged by General Worth.
Fourteen days. march, toisome and severe,
through the splendid scenery of the Rio Grande,
sometimes climbing precipitous paths high above
the river, sometimes winding along its banks,
brought the party to Ell Paso. During that time,
| we rarely let go arms, and every precaution of
| close order of march, scouts in advance and rear,
| and sentines whenever we stopped, was adopted
/ EArfun afaIxy ,rlatp of
| the Rio Grande had left the many Indian towns
which successfully astonished US, and had retired
| to spend the spring and summer in the mountains
| another of the many instances of provIdental es-
cape which marked our course.
| The first so miles lay through well wooded val
ley of the river, presenting little or no obstacle to
| the passage Of the troops. A small fatigue party
should always be in advance to clear the chaparra,
and slope the gullies. The soil is firm gravey sand
| and apparently on the river banks quite fertile
| The next 30 miles, however, is in the formation
called by the Mexicans ''caxones" or boxes Here
| the red hills are washed by the river which they
overhang, in bold precipitous bluffs, exceedingly
difficult Of travel and much labor will be required
to pass road; steep narrow ridges of gravel inter-
| sect the valley where valley exists, and at other
points high hills, having base, generally of sand
stone OF different varieties, must be turned or
climbed by winding course upon their sides.
From this, with the exception of two passes of
few miles in extent, where the road will the
| hills Of the Notch and the Eagle pass of Mount
| Chase, the travelling is fair Beyond, for hun
dred miles, the valley of the river gradually widens
into fine bottom land, heavily tmbered with cotton
wood; light sandy soil, when irrigated judciously,
affordng good crops and fine sites for settlements
| or posts This valley finds It's northern limit in
| the mountains which enclose Ell Paso and contains
the Island, large tract of fertile land, well settled
and cultivated, and now, from the deepest channel
lnffb he hahn tptb a holo pIad
States.
| The difficulties in the way Of communication by
the Rio Grande bank between Preside and Ell Paso,
are not sufficient to do away with Its importance to
the public interest Bound to afford protection to our
own settlements, which IN course of time advance
| into this region, and by the stipuations of So
lemn treaty to restrain and punish Indian depreda-
tons upon Mexico, regard the construction of a
military road upon the river here absolutely
| cessary to this end.
Independent of the fact, that communication be-
tween posts is itself one great and most efficient
barrier TO savage ncursions; early secured, IL in
duces settlements, which, IN time, peopled by our
hardy pioneers, become the best defence of from
tier
The range of the numerous Apache tribes is d-
rectly upon this river; their winter towns are ex-
enslve upon its banks; their spring and summer
| retreats found in the mountains, which with
little interruption extend from Presido to Santa Fe.
Sheltered by the rugged hills of the Rio Grande
from the winter storms their families remain in the
cottonwood groves, where their towns-are built,
while the warriors carry terror and desoation
| throughout chihuahua. From the capital TO the
extreme frontier no hamlet exists where the ruth
less hand of the Apache has not been felt. Eye
| witnesses alone have accurate idea of the
terrible extent of these maraudings. On the Mexi-
can side, and in sight of pah three large Pre-
sIdIos, with the remains Of cultivation about them,
now inhabited by the crow and the wolf alone,
stand melancholy monuments Of Mexican weak
| ness and Indian ferocity.
Should the route pass the east of this range, as
military barrier 1t will be worthless. il should
come where they cross with their plumber, and
whence, by their known trails, the recesses Of the
mountains may be reached. The establishment of
lowing camps of active mounted men, always on
the oe-t. always ready, II is thought would tend TO
Inc sneedv Establishment Of much more peaceable
state of things. and at the same time be attended
with but lit1e more ex nense than fixed garrlsons
The post of depot and refuge should be garrlsoned
by infantry but il will be found that the only eff-
Gent force for our great national purposes on this
important frontier is cavalry.
On the night Of the 18th April we reached Ponce's
rancho opposite Ell Paso, the terminus OF our out
ward bound march. The town of FL Paso, until
the march Of Doniphsn's column but little known
in our country, and that only to the few traders,
who, from time 10 time, passed through II, Is sit
uated about eight miles below the pass, with a
population of 5000 At the head of fertile tract of
the Rio Grande bottom, and shut IN to the river by
the gravel hills TO the west, IT rejoices in pleasant
climate and productive SOIL The low adobes, or
mud walled houses, are relieved to the eye by lux
uriant orchards, pretty gardens, and well Pruned
vineyards. The green and fresh wheat crops
growing around, the peach, and pear, and apricot,
and ounce, in endless profusIon, and the fine APP
pearance OF the vegetables, give promise of what
American industry and cultivation might do where
the Mexican is so productive. They raise with
their rude instruments only what they require
themselves, Of wines, liquors, and grain. In skllful
! hands the grapes here grown will produce delight
fol wine. But the greatest abundance and best cut-
waited is found on La Isla the fertile island of the
Rio Grande, below FL Paso, about thirty miles IN
length, from four to eight broad, and studded with
the little towns Of Iseta, Socoro and San Eezano.
This island now belongs to the United States, a
change greatly rejoiced in by its denzens, but ex-
tremely disiked by the Mexican Government.
scarcity at present prevails 10 the ii Paso val
ley This is owing to the fact Of their rarely ras-
! ing more than sufficient for their own wants and
the heavy drains upon the farmers by the march
Of the columns during the and after the peace.
] otonk tho Indianc hava fakon nd acarcalv