Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-06-16

tucson, 500 1876
Pimo Villages, ST 1477
Crossing of Colorado, 2o5 1862
First Wells, 10 1895
Second " % 1918
Third " 25 1914
Cariza, (stream) % l77l
First settlements, AZ /" 1918
San Diego, SO 1870
The report sums up the description as fol-
lows:
If had continued on the most direct route
to San Diego, the distance would have been
rather under 100 miles, (about 1900 miles
from Independence, Missouri, by Santa Fc J
The constant tenor of your letters of in
sruction made it almost point of honor 10
bring wagons through TO the Pacific and so
was retarded in making and finding a road
for them. From this road, any that may
follow will have various advantages. The
breaking the track, often through thickets of
mezquite and other thorny bushes although
worked on by pioneers, was so laborious that
habitually relieved the front wagons about
every hour: but team OH a firm, open pra-
re, labors much less, if on beaten track.
Much of the difficult ground on the Gila, con-
sistng of light porous clay, becomes good
beaten road. My journal and sketch indicate
some points where the road may be shorten
ed but, between Ojo de Vaca and the
point of leaving the San Pedro river, it is pro-
bable that between 60 and 100 miles may
be saved, and some bad road avoided. 1t is
only necessary for small experienced party,
well provided with water, with Indian
guides, if practicable,) 10 explore the prairie,
and discover the watering places The dircc,
distance is about 16O miles.
The worst road is on the Rio Grandc, op-
posi,e the upper middle part of the Jomada
del Nluerte. 1t may probably be avoided
by coming the Jornada road half way down
or more, and then crossing to the west side.
have reason to believe that there are gaps
in the mountains, and opposite where my
road becomes good. This assumes that the
great highway will pass as far north as Santa
Fe, which may not be the case.
The country from the Rio Grande 10 Tucson
is covered with grama grass, on which ami
mails, moderately worked, will iatten in win
ter.
An emigrant company may leave lndepen'
dencc, Missouri, from June 10, to late in Au-
gust, or Van Buren,, Arkansas, late. 1t will
subsst short time on bufialoes, and be able
to lay up much of the meat, dried or sailed
In New Mexico it may rest, make repairs, and
obtain particularly of mules, sheer
and catlle-which, in that grazing country
will be found cheap; it may pass through set
Elements for $50 miles, and they will be
much extended in the rich river bottoms tc
the south, when the Indians shall be subdued
brought to California both beeves and
sheep; the latter did perhaps, the best re.
quiriug little water: they gave no trouble
two or three men can guard and drive a
thousand. At Tucson, or at the Pimo vii
lagos, fresh supplies may be obtained. The
Pimos and Maranopas, 2S, 900 or 10000 in
number, wonderfully honest and friendly &c
strangers, raise corn and wheat, which they
grind and sell cheaply for bleached domestic
summer clothing of all sorts, snowy cottor
handkerchiefs, and white heads. They alsC
have a few mules and cattle. gave some
breeding sheep. Oxen will not do eell fo
draught, their feet become tender; and ives
of the Pimos, their food is not found sufiicien
or suitable mules require no shoes, catch
ed large quantity on the Gila, having useC
none.
Undoubtedly, the fine bottom land of th'
Colorado, if not of the Gila, will soon be set
tied then all difficulty will be removed
The crossing is about 100 miles from the
mouth. and about 60 above tide. For s
J months in the year, the river is said TO b
navisable by steamboats, for $50 miles; it
bottoms are wide and rich; and sugar, un
doubtedly may be grown. In winter it
fordable at the crossing but think it ha
at least as much water as the Missouri at tn
h same season, and may be navigabe by stea
mers 10 the mouth of the Gila at all seasons
FREEDOM OF SPEEcH.--A colored lecturer
| named Donolass uho has been ioniZed 70