Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-06-02
LETTERS FROM THE CALIFORNIA RMIGRANTS.

LETTERS FROM THE CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.
The following letter is from a member of the
Empire Mining Association, which left this city
on the 18th April. The las, accounts we had Of
this party it retained its organization, and was
progressing handsomely:
LITTLE RIVER, Creek Nation, April %.
Friend Ciarke-ln compliance with your re-
quest and in fufment of my enga cement, ! re.
port TO you the character of the road from Van
Buren, to this place, and in doing so must give you
extracts from my daily Journal. We left your
hospitable little town Wednesday, the 18th in.
slant, crossed Lees Creek at Fosters, and camp
ed-lhe road from the ferry 10 few rods past
Fosters house, is very stony. but easily put in
good condition; Thursday, carped about miles
beyond d'Backburn s-road passabe; following the
military road 10 Hoods, we crossed The prairie to
Whskey road, and camyed near Hicks, at Wan
Creek-rond passabe; Saturday camped al Fore
MANS at the mouth of Illinois Sunday, lay by
till evening, and crossed ferry; Monday, camped
west side OF Is miles prairie-the crossing al Dur
dy rough, and one mile soft rond about salt works.
Tuesday, crossed north fork of Canadian. cnmped
% miles from the river on the prairie, ford good.
road abrupt, but easily improved Wednesday lay
by until noon, travelled 10 miles and camped !;
Thursday, travelled about 26 miles and camped
in prairie; Friday, travelled about 20 miles. ar
rived at Little River by noon, and camped !; on
prairie about miles from crossing, Saturday, 3
o'clock, P. NJ. There are some other parts Of the
road eXceptionable, but all may be avoided easi-
ly repaired. Through the Cherokee Nation the
Indians are ready 10 improve the road, and it only
requires suggestion from you 10 set them at
work. Corn can be procured all the way at 37B
cents per bushel. All provisions this place are
scarce. Corn is 81 90 per bushel, or l28 cents
per dozen ears. Cold flour is So 90 per bushel.
Bacon cents per ID. Horses and mules about
the same price Van Buren,.
Since arrived here, teams have come up
which left Fort Smith 10 days before we left Van
Buren; and the Fort Smith company, who are
following the government escort, and started on
the 4th of the month"; will not proba bly, arrive in
two or three days. The front Of the escort is now
six miles from here, trying TO find route for
road on the south side of The south fork and in
opposition to the opinions of all The Indians best
acquainted with the country.
Capt. Marcy is now here, and says he is obey
ing the express orders of Gen. rbuckle in fol-
lowing up the south side of the south fork of the
Canadian that he has sent out Texian ranger
to inspect the country ahead ard :hat tonight he
will determine whether he will cross and pa IS I'D
between the forks. About 10 wagons have passed
on, and others are arriving and passing up TO Cho-
teaus. Some of the foremost in the train are pro-
badly 60 or 70 miles above here.
ChlsoIm and Beaver have been enga ged by Cab-
tain Marcy to pioneer 10 Choeau's Fort and proba-
bly, further. The emgrants have been put to
great delay, and thousands of dollars of unne.
cessary expense, by following the military escort.
and now are curslng the Influences which mised
them. There is certainly great cause for censure
somewhere, and it is for you, who are better &C.
quainted with the causes than | am, to locate the
censure properIyif local interest is the cause. no
censure can be too wish to give il a
more charitable construction
am indebted 10 you, personally for services |
received at the hand of your friend Foreman.--
One OF our mules, laden with my personal trans
wandered from the train. He was soon pic ked
up by the Indians, unpacked, and the load divided
among the robbers. The mule was not missed
until too late 10 return that night Next mornino
Foreman returned with me to Hicks, who ioined
US, and soon we found the mule stripped of every
Thing. Quick search was made. and with won.
derful sogacIty; and an hour had not elapsed be-
fore they got on the track of the thieves. and re-
covered many small articles of clothpg-and tho,
the contents of my packs mad been divided be,ween
some hive or six, | recovered all but 25 or 80 dol.
lars worth, consisting principally of wearing an.
parel. 10 Messrs. Foreman and Hicks om in
debted for what now have.
Respectfully, yours,