New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-02-13
Overland TO California.

OSefsanu 10 shihofuhs
Within the three months ensuing very large
number of our fellow -oitizens-one hundred thoa-
sand at leas,-win take up their line Of march
across the praires and mountains 10 the aliuung
'placers Of California. To these and their friends
we proffer the following suggestions
!. Start Early. We know the raw winds and cod
showers Of Spring are far from pleasant, but they
are less fearful than the drifted SHOWS and howl
ing blasts Of October in the Sierra Nevada. Bet
ter short feed for your cattle in the Spring than
dried up or snow covered glsdes with next 10 no
feed a, all on the other end OF your journey. If
you can't leave the fArthest Western settlements
by the Ist Of May. don't go a. all
2. Proride wei. Listen 10 no deluding stories
Of the abundance Of game on the route. II it ever
was abundant--as it was not for good part OF the
way, will be found scarce enough by all but the
first few parties that cross this season. Such an
incessant throng Of emigrants would Kill It on #
they could not scare it away Flour or Hard
Bread. Beans, Bacon, &c. will be more priced
than gold IN the Great BASIN and be that has
mule-losd to spare may begin gathering gold ahead
oil bis companions
3. Study carefully the ry0i Routes. Consider
decide which way TO 90. Our present impression
is that route through some part Of Texas and by
the River Gila is good as any for those who can
pass New Orleans by the middle Of March and
that the route through Arkansas TO Santa Fe will
be preferable for those who can pass Little Rock
by the first OF April. We presume those who
have the money a material item) can buy neat
cattle and mules, fresh and in good order in the
frontier settlements whether Of Texas Arkansas
or Missouri, at reasonable prices-certainly cheap
than they can be driven from the interior
There will be travel enough on esch'of the favor
ed routes to keep the grass quite TOO short and
it is best for all that the early should not
stretch across from Missouri TO the Salt Lake and
the Sacramento. 1t is farther by way OF the ella,
but there is far less elevation to overcome and no
snow 10 be encountered.
. 4. Send round Provisions. We approve hearth
iy Of crossing the country instead Of going around
personally. There will be more fatigue, more ex-
posure. more direct suffering on the overland route,
bat flor those who start seasonably, under good
leaders, and go well provided) there will be i'm
messurably less resulting disease, debility and
death. For those who have adequate food, the
overland journey will generally prove health-gv
ing, hardening invigorating. They will swoop
down upon the Sacramento valley in good cond
tion, after a few days rest, for any work that
comes to hand. We greatly fear the long voyage
around Cape Horn will have contrary effect on
many-thst they go out too crowded, in vessels Ill
constructed and worse ventilated-that the heat
OF the tropics will enervate and the inaction of
90 long voyage will impair their energies-that
some will die and many land diseased, decrepit or
otherwise untitled for resolute exertion. Some
have doubtless foreseen these perils and guarded
against them; we speak of the great majority.
But, while should advise going overland,
urgently protest against doing so without
sending by sea years supply OF provisions 1t
is fool-hardy to venture across the continent at
such time without making ample provision for
subsistence there. We are sure the rush thther
this season will far exceed the general expecta
ton, and that provisions will be scarce and dear
in California for at least year to come. Now just
contempt ate the possibility-and it 10 great deal
more than that--of the 'placers being oil washed
out by November next-of there being Hall Mil
lion People in our Pacific empire with no harvest
this season and more gold TO be dug there
What would become Of the tens OF thousands who
will this Summer cross the continent with only
their mules and their arms Who could feed
them What could they do to keep soul and body
togetherl Merit Snmmer they might go to work
and plant aud build. provided they live till then
but what are they to do meantime We entreat
ali who think OF this to send years provisions
around Cape Horn before starting. II unable to
send better stay safely this side of the dividing
ridge and wait till you shall be able.