The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-12
CENTRALIA EXPLORING ExPEDI-


Expedition. The gallant Caplainhus our best wish
es for his entire success. We are sure, he will tri-
umph over every obstacle and add another chapter
TO the geography of the continent of North America.
TO THE EDITOR or THE NATIONAL WING,
DEAR Sir: You have no doubt observed, through
your exchange papersa good deal said lately concern
ing the Centralia Exploring Expedition, in the organ
ization Of which have been aboriously engaged for
six months past. During period of severe service
on the remote western frontier of Texas the early
companion of the amented WALKER, the chivalrous
HAYS and intrepid Chevalier, had many opportuni-
Ties OF hearing from the border Indians renegade
Mexcans, frappers, &C., strange runiofs concerning
the mineral wealth Of a country among the noun
iains TO the Northwest and near the sources Of the
Pecos or Puerco ofTex,s, as well as OF still greater
country farther to the West and Of yet more surpass
ing magnfcence, lying between the Gila and Colo
RADIO OF the West These stories came.so direct and
were confirmed in their extraordinary character by
so many "indirectOns'--ih that, filled with love Of
adventure, and with an Imagination infiamed by
them made, with few companions, an Morgan
lied and rash attempt 10 penetrate this golden mys-
terry right through the heart of the Camunche coun-
try With ten men, poorly armed, managed TO
reach the borders Of the great Staked Desert
but my feeble party was here set upon in such num-
beers ind with such fcrocty by the Camanche tribes,
that we were compelled to fall back into the valley
of the South Canadian, while they followed up our
retreat reenilessy until only four men Of the party
were left alive, and one Of these died of his wounds
before got into the Red River settlements nearly
starved, and otherwise in most miserable plight -
| This, however did not discourage me, but only de-
termined me ito bide my time" Since leaving
Texas have been engaged in literary pursuits, and
much Of the incident OF my story Of OLD HICKS the
guide Is constructed from those of this wild adyen
| TURF. aa,M .#e.. @s tta
The time came as conceived when the extraor-
binary discoveries in California caused the whole
land to blaze with The flame Of adventure, like prai
| rie on fire. ! Immediately threw aside everything
else, and commenced the hurried preparation Of a
new book "The Gold Mines of the Gia," which was
embody all that had been able 10 learn concerning
| these interesting regions In six weeks the book
was wrtten-in three more II was through the press
| II went FORTH to the country as yonninous pros
pectus Of new and cherished enterprise. II con-
tained in addition TO account of many Of my per-
sopal adventures In Texas--all the vague legends
all the direct statements that had come to me In the
course of many wanderings there. Then in conclu-
sion, was enabled by the aid Of the Invaluable pen
| of the famous CoUSSE MONTGOMERY, TO pre-
sent in eloquent, graceful and succinct form, those
Wild strangely attractive, and beautiful legends with
which the archives of the city of Mexico, and the
brains of her learned Priesthood and polished Cas
ian knighthood TEEN In regard this mysterious and
unprecedented region, which Is pointed out from these
sources as tho great Dorado of the Conquest from
whence the priceless treasures in gold and enierads
of the princely and gorgeous MoSTEzuMA had been
derived.
| The ancient Jesutical records and all antiquities
indie d. were sfted for me, too by the learning and
careful ustuteness Of the distinguished antiquarian
who has since been wisely sent as Charge to Guae-
nlaa and they all agreed as well with what had fallen
in my way, as with the poetical gleanings of Co
| RHINE MoNTGoMERY
| This eloquent lady closes her letter to me with an
exhoralion TO the young men OF the land TO take TO
themselves the glory Of solving this mysterious pro-
bem of country's hisory-for in addition to the
probable wealth Of this region in gems and gold
there are thousand corroborave facts which go TO
show the existence within the lap OF the great Cen
trail Plateau of nations possessing peculiar religion
civilization and who guard all the approaches to their
country with jealous care
There could be only one response; ard young men
from all portions of the land sent in their names TO
me at New York, desiring the honor to be enrolled
plan Of the expedition and in joining it they were
perfectly nwure that there was TO be no "child's
play" in such undertaking; that strict military
organization was not toy to be trined with. They
had all the fncts before them acted with their eyes
open, and are, therefore, in earnest. Many OF them
have already paid in, and all eager for the conf
pletlon Of the design They are emulous 70 accom-
| plisn what FRgMoST failcd 10 do--that which the
gaant and indonilable BEALL, though just ire
turned from his terrible journey is anxious now to re-
| turn TO accomplish. iH +
But there have been many necessary delays in
the appointed time of starting-first, it was ne
cessary to wait until the revovers could be manuac-
tured then the sad news OF the ravages Of cholera
among the first parties made further delays necessary.
| Now, the wisdom Of these delays has become appar-
ent. Those parties earliest upon the plains have been
| terribly thnned by the disease.
! l have been anxiousy watching the progress of
| the disease toward the West, knowing that 1t does
not usually return upon its track. am convinced
that this has been the only proper course; for, al
though there has not been single case OF cholera as
yet al Corpus Christi, the point first selected by me
as the point Of debakation and general rendezvous
yet the apprehensions of friends could not have been
well allayed BY statement of the local facts which
/ xvall rendered the OF the disease
| at that point improbable. a@ s@ ... .
That II is too late, many apprehend, have, for
tunatey, the highest authority TO back my own
opinion. Col. Cook, of the United States Army who
Il will be remembered, set out shortly after General
KEARSy from New Mexico to California. has written
letter to the Philadelphia Ledger TO correct certain
misapprehensions that have gone abroad concerning
the ella route. Col Cook made divergence 200
miles south Of the route Of kEARNy and BEALL,
and found contrary to the experience of those gen
tlemen, good wagon road, for 400 miles, over
wha: they found to be the worst part OF the whole
country traversed Some misrepresentation has grown
up with regard to this from the fact that il is
generally supposed that the route of K. b. and
Z. was the same, while the fact Is, there was
difference of 200 miles, and the statements of both
BEALL and Cook, when thus viewed, are clearly re-
conciled. But the point of greatest importance,
and that TO which | particularly desire TO direct
your attention, Is the important fact mentioned
by Cook and contained in the following state
ment: After saying that he saw no snow, and that
1t is good route for winter, he continues by
setting out for New Mexico by Missouri, Arkansas,
or Texas from august lst to September 30h, they
(the emigrants will be able TO refresh themselves at
leisure in that territory, and renew their outfit If
necessary, at moderate rates. and then pass from It's
settlements by my wagon road 10 California, in
thirty days, with packs, or sixty with wagons. 1t
will lead them for l25 miles through fat wild cattle;
and half way is large town Of the most hospitable
and friendly Indians In America who will eagerly
sell provisions for white beads and domestic cotton.
And thus they will be at the mines the commence
ment Of the next season." 1t will now be perceived
that have known what were the alternatives upon
this route In not precipitaing my expedition upon
too hnrriedly. Col. Cook says, that August is time
enough and Mr.. GREod says, too, in his Com
merce Of the Prairies" that August and September
are the best months for commencing journey over
the plains Of New Mexico since the mesguit and
grana grasses, upon which the traveller depends,
then in the finest condition, and last through the
winter
| hope these facts may be sufficient TO satisfy
the gentlemen composing the expedition, and the
public, that there is no real cause for hurry In
getting off-that by these delays we have escaped the
cholera the floods &C., and shall yet after all rise
and precautionary arrangements have been .tuHy
completed, be in full time, If we do not get OIL from
Corpus Christi before the last Of July. In the mean
time would exhort those gentlemen TO patience.