Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1849-03-01

object. The nature of the country
whether inhabitable or not--between the
Mississippi and the Pacifc--the passes in
the mountains-were the great points of
inquiry; and the results were most salts.
factory. Inbabitable country and prac.
tcable passes were vouched for, but it was
not until the year 1912 that the informa-
ton took the definite form which would be-
come the basis of legislation. In the year
1912 Mr.. Fremont solicited and obtained
leave to extend his explorations to the
South Pass of the Rocky mountains. Not
for the purpose of discovering that pass,
for il was discovered precisely forty years
ago by the hunters, but for the purpose of
fixing its locality and character. At that
time il was not known whether that pass
was within our territory or in Mexican
territory. Mr.. Fremont, therefore, wished
TO extend his explorations to that pass for
the purpose of ascertaining its locality and
character, with view to road to Oregon,
and the increase of geographical knowl-
edge. He was then employed on topo-
graphical duty, having just returned from
two years of great labor on the upper Mis-.
sissippi, assistant to the distinguished Jas.
tohohiSl, hI. 1NiCOnCtS WIN, ny Ills SIGdt
exertions during the five years that he was
engaged there, brought on prostration
that ended in death. Mr.. Fremont solicited
and obtained from Col. Albert, the privilege
of going to the South Pass, and he made
his examinations there in way TO satisfy
every inquiry. His description was sat
isfactory 10 all minds; and the reading of
that description now will show the ease
with which the mountain can be passed at
that place.
Mr.. Benton here read from the report
of Col. Fremont, description of his visit
10 the three passes in the mountains, the
scenery, climate, &c.
Thus there are no less than three differ.
ent passes in about two degrees and half
from about al deg. 90 min. down TO 80 deg
traversed and described by Mr.. Fremont in
his return from his second expedition; and
those not only easily accessible, but run
through country suitable for the habita-
lions of civilized man. A third expedition
took place.
Still pursuing the idea of finding a route
further south, Mr.. Fremont went out upon
the line of the Arkansas river, and found
remarkably straight course quite to the
bay of San Francisco. In his map that
route is laid down, and the barometer ele-
vations given. In his memoir there is, al
page &C. table of ATTITUDES and longitudes
without more than the variation of de-
gree or so on each side, through seventeen
degrees of longitude. All the great points
from ST. Louis to the head Of the Arkan-
sas, thence to the pass in the Sierra Neva.
da, and to the Bay of San Francisco, 80
deg. is nearly the line throughout; and, in
point of directness. nothing better could
be asked; but it will require compartive
view of all the routes, TO be able TO Judge
between them. The head of the Arkan-
sas was found at an elevation of 7,S40
feet; but it was the head of the river, and
not pass, which was then the object.
The whole upper half of the Arkansas
lies on the right line for road to the Bay
Of San Francisco. A few degrees west of
the Missouri frontier, the river bends north
to latitude SO deg; and the parallels of
80 deg. or 80 deg. cut the rivers from thence
to its head.
Returning from his third expedition, and
being no longer in the public service, Mr.
Fremont has undertaken fourth one, at
his own expense. Attended by the devo-
ted men who had been with him so long,
and unwilling to leave incomplete work
| in which he had been engaged for seven
years, he has now gone as far south as the
head of the Rio Grande del Norte, 10 ex-
plore the passes at the head of that river,
and the approximation of the waters of
the Colorado of the West. Though with.
out government assistance, yet, with the
aid of his old comrades, he will complete
the examination of the mountain passes,
and of all the country between the Mis-
sissippi and Pacific, and thus fulfil the ORR
ginal purpose which he sought and obtain
ed by this distant and perilous work, in
preference TO being employed about the
cities and frontiers.
The great point upon which now rest,
Mr.. President. is, that there is nothing
more to be learned or known; that, by a
kind of Providence, there has been brought
to our knowledge everything that is neces,
sarv to be known 10 enable US TO act, and
that the great idea which has possessed ev-
ery power which has ever been dominant
in North America-that of an inland COM
munication across the continents now
ripe to be realized Ii is in view OF the
fact that we are now ripe for action, that
ask leave to bring in bill for action.
The leading idea of the bill, Mr. Presi'
dent, is National, Central Road, High
way, not merely for ourselves, but for ouI
posterty, for all time TO come.
The road which propose will be ma
tional in its character-in all its features
...,,, a,,:ooaJ hacausa M privata ra