Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-05-04
From he Greenfield Rcpnbii

al states oil the largest class, described as
unexplored. Ga some maps il is desipnat.
ed as 1.-The Great Interior Basin OF Cali
fornia." IN some marked as inhabited -by
the "Pshutas." The river ella runs along
its southern border, the Colorado through
lis eastern; The Great Salt Lake lies at lis
northeast corner, Pyramid Lake al its north
western. The old Spanish trail from San.
ia Fe to the Pacific runs near IT, Until re-
Gently this region has belonged to Mexico;
now il forms part Of the possessions Of the
United States. II is a vast, unexplored,
unknown wilderness. Fremont aud others
have skirted It's borders, Mexican trading
and exploring parties have been upon all
sides Of II, but no white man has ever pene-
traled this mysterious region and returned.
i is the land 10 which Whittier applied his
lines
"Vast regions yet untrodden,
Great Lakes whose mystic shores
The Saxon rifle never heard
Nor dip Of Saxon oars
II is the terra incognifa Of our Continent.
From time to time adventurous traders aud
trappers. who had penetrated to its borders,
have brought back strange, thrilling, half
incredible accounts OF sights seen there,
the region round. They have represented
that according TO the accounts of Indians,
who have penetrated this mysterious region,
il is inhabited by compact and well or
ganized population, living 10 cities strongly
fortified. under stringent government
The cities are said to be adorned by mas
sive and gorgeous palaces, and temples pro-
fesely adorned with gold aud emerads.-
Some traders have even pretended 10 have
seen one city from distant heights, and 10
have been turned back by the inhabitants
on attempting to approach il. These ru-
mors would have passed unnoliced, as mere
idle tales, utterly incredible, bat for their
striking similarity TO the well authenticated
accounts Of The inhabitants OF Mexico al
the time OF its first discovery by the Span
iards. Ignorant trappers could hardly be
supposed 10 be acquainted with the history
OF Mexico; aud when il was found that
their accounts Of the basin OF California
answered SO perfectly 10 the well known
condition of the basin Of Mexico at the
time Of lis discovery. attention was excited.
and even many judicious men thought these
stories might be something more than "irav-
eler's tales" However the matter was al.
lowed TO slumber without investigation I'M
til this region OF romance was eeded TO the
I Unted STATES
The No. Of the spirit OF the Time"
for last week contains under the heading OF
Gold mines Of the Gila," what purports to
be an extract from work about TO be pub
lished by Mr. c. w. Webber. The extract
contains summary Of all the Information
which has been cleaned concerning the
California basin and to il we are indebted
for the following particulars.
When Mexico was conquered by Coriez,
the natives were found to be ia possession
oil great numbers Of precious emeralds.-
Some sent TO Spain by Coriez. IRE said to
be still retained as among the most valuable
oil the crown jewels. The conquerers could
not learn from whence the natives procured
these jewels. The Aziecs would never re-
veal the mines, and all knowledge Of them
was finally lost. But il seems iha, Of late
emeralds have occasionally been brought Ia
Mexico by Indians from the north. who as
sert that beyond the mountains they are
plenty. This would point 10 the California
basin as the seat Of the mines.
An eminent dignitary of the Catholic
church in Mexico is said recently 10 have
made the following statement TO one c.
Montgomery, who aitesis to the fact;
! at every attempt 10 do this, (send mis-.
sionaries into the California basin) we hay
!, become more certain that the people oil
central California are more civilized than
J their neighbors. and no, only possess among
! them mines oil surprising value, but still re.
tain their old religion, and heather temples
, like those Coriez demolished DOR mis-
sionaries have converted Indian captive.
, who have worshipped in them in their youth
and as late as 1886, the son OF female
convert of that description. was priest in
Mnchuacan, and as well as his mother, wa.
/ acquainted with the present Bishop Of that
, State. This Indian woman always declar,
ed that. in her country, gold was sacred lc
J the God Of FIRE, and was never used excep
in his service, but was so abundant thai
| their temples we're paved with it, To guard
{ their religion aud their country from the
gold loving Spaniards, they will not suffe,
I one TO enter their country, not even as ;
+. missionary"
The Bishop OF Zacatecas has said tina
he has often conversed with priests OF III,
native blood, who have yainiy attempted Il
5 enter the forbidden region as missionaries
and who had actually been north Of III,
Q ella, and seen in the distance stately TEN
pie, or palace, surrounded by culliyates
fields, but were not permitted nearer up
5 proach. These missionaries confirmed III,
!, rumor Of the abundance Of gold in tina
D region.
; The old Church records Of Sante Fe
: and the original letters Of early missiona
n ries there, make mention of powerful an,
: intractable Indian tribes in the west (agail
!. pointing toward the basin) who are describ
+ ed as worshippers of fire, aud having ex
& ceedingly rich mines Of gold.
Many years ago United States explor
!, ing party on the borders of the terra incog
J, niia came upon an encampmen, OF the fir
!, worshppers, who spoke OF the golden glo
; ries Of their native valley Another party
o under Messrs Alert and Emery, while EN-
u camped on The Gila, heard from Indians ru
d mors Of immense quantities Of gold in III
n bed Of the PerIo. 1.-THE hunters Of Ken
Il lucky" an account Of the adventures Of
) party who crossed the continent Of Calfor
d MIA, mentions the noisy deyotions of Irib
; Of sun worshipping Indians whom they en-