The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-11-09
THE slnte OF neserer.

NhAo NOuhbiy "hOh h'N0h
be regarded as an extraordinary phe-
homehon ofthe times. From small be.
ginnings they have gone on increasing
steadily, IN spite of prosecutions and
hardships. That circumstance, however,
is not remarkable, since prosecutions gen
orally have the effect of strengthening
cause and its adherents. But the strange
ness Of the thing consists in the wonder
ful and rapid extension ofa faith of which
SO little is known, and which had its orr
gin in stories and devices apparently the
most absurd that ever made mockery OF
human credulily.
The converts of this faith, moreover.
do not appear to belong to that class OF
enthusiasts that give way to hallucina'
tious. The Mormons are practical peo-
pie; they are industrious, temperate iorder-
lly. Wherever they plant themselves in
the wilderness the aspect Of a cultivated
regionis soon visible. They recognize
community principle to some extent,
but with what notifications we know not.
They seem, however, to derive from it
the benefits of concentrated labor, and
to flourish under it.
These people, having been driven from
Illinois few years ago, abandoned the
city of Nauvoo suddenly, deserting their
abodes, and leaving unfinished magnifi-
cent temple, which, from its gigantic pro,
portions and strange style of architecture,
stands as a remarkable Characteristic of
the place and people. For while the
Mormons lowered on the frontier, encamp.
ed here and there, and moving about in
wagons, carrying their women and chill
dren and household goods. They were
waiting for the gathering together oftheir
dispersed brethren. Soon the wander.
ers disappeared, and were lost in the bo-
som of the great Prairie. We had news
of them from time to time. They would
encamp now and then upon fertile we'll
watered, and well-wooded spot, and re-
main a whole season to raise grain O.
nough to last them on their march fur
ther West. When Gen. Kearney moved
upon Santa Fe, he encountered the Nor
mons on his route, and FIVE hundred of
them, formed into battalion. entered in.
to the service of the United States for a
specific period, and accomplished their
western pilgrimage in that way,
Recently we hear again from the Nor
mons, and strange tidings are told u.s.
They have taken possession of the Great
Basin, in the regious oflhe Salt and Utah
Lakes, spacious area, FIVE hundred
miles in diameter, four or five thousand
feet above the level of the sea. shut in by
mountains on every side, and having its
own system of lakes and rivers without
any communication with the ocean. Por
tions of the Great Basin are desert and
uninhabitable. The fertile portion, how
ever, is very productive; aud this fine val
ley, about three hundred miles in extent
between the Great Salt and Utah Lakes
is occupied by the Mormons.
They have organized Territoria
Government, elected officers, established
Executive, Judicial, and Legislative
functions, and chosen their Delegate tc
Congress. 1t is further intended to form
State Constitution shortly, and to pre-
sent the new Commonwealth of Desere
as an applicant for admission into ou
: family of States. The amount fpopu
lation in the territory is not given in an,
statement we have seen. Their chic
city covers large space. 1t is situate,
at the base ofthe mountains, says the ac
count of traveller, in the entrance t.
their rich and fertile valley. The city i
large, covering two or three miles square
though of course not costly built, benI
divided into three acre lots. The Who'll,
valley slopes gradually to the lake, ant
the soil is consequently irrigated withou
, difficulty, Their crops, adds the travell
, er, looked well, and every thing appear
ed to be in hourishiug condition. Th'
social aud political character of this com
munity is indeed, as we remarked in th'
beginning. one of The most extraordina
ry phenomen of the times. ~ Bait. Amer
CAILFoRNIANs STOPPING BY THE WAY
n |
"A letter from member of Californit
:, Company, dated July 23, on the Ri
: Grande, west of Santa Fe, has the follow
: ing:--
There is very rich mine on the Ri
Negro, a tributary of the Colorado, abou
i, 20 days travel from this place. 1t i
= now in the possession of Indians, win
: are working the mines. If we can pro
cure guide, we are going to take mules
- and leave enough men behind to pro,ec
the wagons, and make trip of discover
to the aforesaid place, and if we find
what it is represented to be, send an
bring up the rear and not go any further
They tell us if we go there we shall hav
some fighting I" do; but we are all ge,
ting tired Of this inglorious ease. and fee
eager for adventure.
A ~ A 4