The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-02-19

The MoRMoNs. The public is aware chat
the Mormons, Disguised with the prosecutions
they met with in Illinois, Iowa, and other places
where they attempted to settle have finally To-
Gated in California We have recently met with
a description OF their settlement, gwen by one of
their number who has lately arrived inthe States,
which is quite interesting.
In the northeastern part Of Upper California,
is a beautiful valley in which is located the Great
Salt Lake $50 called by traveilers,) which is about
100 miles long, and 80 broad, ana contains no liv.
ing thing. The water Of it IS so salt that three
barrels OF il will produce one OF salt. In the dry
season the shores OF the Lake are eucrusted with
salt tit ter use. II has no outlet, but the waters
of a fresh water Lake in the same valley flow in
to it by rIveRwhich the Mormons call Jordan
These Lakes, we should explain for the benefit
of those who have not access 10 maps, are situat-
ed on the western slope OF The Rocky Mountains,
near the head waters OF the River Platte, which
runs into the river Missouri; the Colorado, which
empiies into the Gulf OF California and the Co.
lumbia, which empGeS into the Pacific. The
waters OF the Platte and the Colorado almost u
mite by means OF the Sweet Water RIVER which
heads west OF the Rocky Mountain chain, and
runs into the Platte through the famous South
Pass. Between these Lakes and the California
vast valley or basin supposed to consist principal
ly oil sandy plains, about 400 miles wide from
east 10 west, and some 900 TO 700 miles long IRON
north to south. From this Immense basin no egress
for water has been discovered, the rivers losing
themselves in The sand.
Along this river Jordan, connecting the two
Lakes the Mormon settlements. The valley
gradually slopes from the mountains to the river,
and is formed into steppes from various gorges
in the mountains, numerous fresh water streams
pour their waters into the Jordan, afiording fine
water power. No timber grows in the valley,
but an abundance is supplied by the valleys of
the streams in the mountains. 1t consists OF fir,
pine, hemlock and sugar maple.
In this delightful valley, about thousand miles
from Missouri on the east, and 700 from the gold
diggings OF the Sacramento, en- the west--the
Rocky mountains being barrier on one side,
and the Great Basin, and the California or Sierra
IA Nevada range on the other-the MormoDs
have at last found resting place. About 1000
persons, OF all ages and sexes, are now collected
in this valley.
They commenced arriving in the valley in Ju-
Iy, 1871 and last season they raised fine crop
of wheat, corn, and other productions, sufficient
TOR their own consumption and those OF their faith
who are yearly coming in. After next harvest
they will have provisions 10 dispose OF. They
have two grist mills and four saw mills in opera
ton, and have laid out several villages, and
town on every plat, which overlooks the whole
valley and lake. They are building substantial
houses and surrounding themselves with many
comforts They expect large emigration this
season from their brethren in the neighborhood
OF Council Bluffs, where there are some thou
sands congregated.
The road to Oregon and California by the North
Fork OF the Platte River, and the South Pass pass
es some sixty miles to the north OF the settlement,
but route by the way of the Salt Lake can
be taken, which will not take the traveller
out OF his way more than forty or fifty miles. The
Mormons will be able to supply fresh mules and
and oxen and after next harvest, provisions, to
those who are emigrating to California.
The road is very good all the way from indie
pencdnce to the west OF the msuntains. In 1847
about 1000 wagons passed over it, and last year
some $50 The trail is SO we'll defined that no
danger from losing it need be feared. Emigrants
usually make about Is miles day. On some
portions OF the route there is scarcity of grass
For about 5000 miles, buffalo meat can be obtain
ed in abundance.
The Mormous have established ferries over the
only rivers which not fordable on account oil
high waters Nthe Platte and Green Rivers-so
that no hindrance to emigrants, from that cause
need be feared. No gold has yet been found in
the neighborhood of Salt Lake, or anywhere
east Of the Sierra Nevada. What has reached
that region, was brought there by the discharged
Missouri soldiers, who had returned from the
Placer to visit their families.
Mr.. WhippIe, the Mormon who furnishes
these statements represents the valley OF the Salt
Lake as perfectly healthy. and the journey 10
that region as attended with no dangers, and but
little fatigue. He returns again in the Spring.
SOUND DOCTRINE. The Chronotype, in an
swer to the question fWho is to blame," for the