The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-02-17
Mormon Settlement liz, Califor-
min.

EaHhs
The Pittsburgh Gazette contains some
interesting and apparently reliable par
tlculars of the Mormon settlement with
in the great basin Of Upper California.
They are derived from Mr.. E. WHrppLE,
leading member of the Mormon Socle-
ty, now IN Pittsburgh. The Gazette
SAYS
Mr.. Whipple left the Great Salt Lake
settlement on the 18th of October, and
arrived at Fort Kearny, on4he Missouri,
in 81 days. The settlement OF Mormons
with which he is connected, is located
in beautiful valley on the borders of the
Great Salt Lake, in beautiful valley on
the borders ofthe Great Salt Lake, on the
north eastern part OF Upper California.
The Great Salt Lake is about $50 miles
long. by so broad, and contains nothing
living. 1t is SO salt that three barrels
CT water will make one of salt. The
shores of the Lake, in the dry season. are
encrusted with salt fit for use. 1t has
no outlet
Nearly south of the Salt Lake, is a
fresh water Lake. called the Utah, which
empties its waters into the former. In
this Lake, fish, the mountain trout, are
found. The river which connects the
two lakes, the Mormons call the Jor-
dan. The valley in which they are sit
ua,ed. slopes from the mountains TO the
river, on both sides.
These Lakes, we may state, for the in.
formation Of those who have not access
to late maps, are situated on the western
slope OF the Rocky Mountains, near the
head waters Of The river Platte, which
runs into the Missouri; the Colorado,
which empires into the Cult of Calitor-
MA, and the Columbia, which empties
into the pacific. The waters ofthe Platte
and the Colorado almost unite. by means
of the Sweet Water river, which heads
west ofthe Rocky Mountain chain, AID
runs into the Platte through the famous
South Pass Between these Lakes and
the California mountains, in which the
Sacramento rises, is a vast valley or ba-
sin, supposed to consist principally Of
sandy plains, about 100 miles wide from
East to West, and some GOO or 700 miles
long from North to South. From this
immense basin no egress for water has
been discovered, the rivers losing them
selves IN the sand.
The valley in which the Mormon set
Elements are, is about fifty miles long,
and forty broad and is surrounded on
three sides by high mountains, and on the
north side by the lake, Il gradually
slopes from the mountains to the river
Jordan, and is formed into steppes. From
various gorges in the mountains, hume
rous fresh water streams pour their wa
ters into the Jordan, atfording fine wa
ter power. No timber grows in the VAL
ley but an abundance is supplied by the
valleys of the streams in the mountains
1t consists of fir pine, hemlock, and SUI
gir maple.
Tn tins delightful valley, about 1000
miles from Missouri on the cast, and 700
from the gold diggings of the Sacrament
to, on the wes,-the Rocky Mountains
being a barrier on one SIDE, and the great
basin, and the californian, or Sierra Ne
yada range, on the other-the Mormons
have al last found resting place. A.
bout 1000 persons, of all AGES and both
sexes, are now collected in this valley.
They commenced arriving in the valley,
in July, 1917, and last season they rails
ed fine crop Of wheat, corn, and other
productions, sufficient for their own con-
sumption, and Of those Of their faith who
are yearly coming in. After next har-
vest they will have provisions TO dispose
of.-They have two grist mills and four
saw mills in operation, and have laid out
several villages, and town on an eteva-
ted platte, which ovrrooks the whole
valley and lake. They are building sub
stastial houses, and surrounding them
selves with many comforts. They ex
pect large emigration this season from
their brethren in the neighborhood of
Council Bluffs, where there are some
thousands congregated.
The road to Oregon and California, bv
theNorth Fork Of the Platte River, and
the South Pass, passes some sixty miles
10 the north ofthe settlement, but a route
by the way the Salt Lake can be TAX
en-, 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 oxen; and, after next
harvest, provisions to those who are en-
igraing to California
Mr.. Whirple says the road is very
good, all the way from Independence to
west Of the mountains. In 1S47, about
1000 wagons passed over it, and last
year some $50. The trail is well defin-
ed so that no danger from losing it need
he feared Mr.. Whipple recommends
oxen in preference TO mules, and says
they will make just as good time. Emf
grants usually make about fifteen miles
day. On some portions of the route
there Is a scarcity Of grass. For about