New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-01-25
The For, Smith Route TO California.

tit.ct from CAPT Msrrs Rspor,-Fron For Hen
Before leaving Fort Smith for Santa Fe, har
In common with many others entertained yer
erroneous ideas in regard to the geography OF th
oountry lying between the Rio del Norte and ia
heads OF the rivers running into the Mississippi al
Gulf Of Mexico
Prom the beat maps | could find. was indut
cd 10 believe that there were extensive ranges
lofty mountains across the route from FL Paso 20 ID
Mississippi river which coutI not be avoided. au
that there were streams m some places where
upon examination, mono are found that in othe
places, there were no streams when, indeed, Their
are many For instance upon most Of the moder
maps, the R,o Pecos. or as II il improperly terme,
by some the Rio Puerco," is laid down as m,
ming from north 10 south nearly parallel to the Iii
del Norte and at distance of about 40 or so mile,
iron II when its course for nearly a hundred miles
that we followed 1t. is but little south of east an
instead OF being but 80 miles from the Rio Graudt
II Is two hundred, in nearly a. direct line.
"Disturnel SNAP OF Mexico upon which the new
boundary between tho United States and Mckee
is, by the Treaty defined, one OF the most inaccp
rate OF all those have secn--sO far as relates
the country over which we passed, lie makes
greater error thaa most others in LAYING down In,
Pecos, and has the Colorado Braros and Red River
all inaccaretely placed. Upon Red River he has
very large branch coming from far west, near
Paso. which he calls Ensenado Choctaw" Thu,
Is altogether an imaginary River as no one IN In,
country has ever heard Of such stresm; neithei
does any branch OF Red River extend west 10 with
IN 500 miles Of the RIO del Norte. There arc bu
three large tributaries 10 Red River above For
Wichita. the Biz and Little Wichita and tn,
"ke-che-sQua ho no, these with the main branch
have their sources in the salt plains far east Of ia
Rio Pccos. Their waters are strungly impregnste,
with sat, aid they t0w throp.h country, ior the
most part, poorly watc-ea. aud are hordcrei by
rugged cliffs and deep ravines. Hence | coGceiv
II impEacrcsble 10 make communication throud
q New Mexico, which would follow up Red Rive.
t0its scarce. as il would terminate NJ the eastern
border ot the LRn0 kStsoado. for no man, as
have remarked before. attempts 10 cross that des
ert except AZ u few paraculsr points.
As have remarked before, | consider oxen q
he the best description oi cattle for the prslTies
and each cmiersnt. before leaving sor California
shoo!d provide himself with extra cattle to supph
ae places O. any which may fail or die upon g.,
foad. They should take stronS hcht wagons an,
transport nothing but provisions snd such other al
ue'es as are absolutely required upon the tourney
tAeaF proNis4oas should be well secured IN s,n1'
PAeAASes' and aeVcT suffered ~ becogae wet Fac
wagon should have double cover. a wafer cs>k
an extra axle, Psly OF hounds and pole. be ore 40
we V"' ny s'w f'A'es' as alter tals DO timber l.
found saltShle ios such purposes They sb,nL
FORM parties o. companies 81 from IS n 1oo M,
each, which would be sntcien, ior ,,ro,...,;os
guSrds, Nc. A0d while travelling tAna,,h M IL
dian country they should herd their animal, nisb,
and day with the strctes, vigilance and carc nsS
suffering them ~ move nom camp without q,
armed guard.
The best season kw emivranss % leavs IA,
United States ior California upon the southern ros,
ssshoat the Ist Of June. There would then h,
good grass and wstcr to the Rio Crandc. sui the,
would reach there about the las, O July. and wou
have time 60 stop two or three weeks 10 Craze 80,
recruit their snnnsis ami lay IN additional supplies
shoah they require any Tor the remainder OF Ii
journey.
There "a an abundance Of wood and grass
al places upon the road From Fort Smith 10 Ia
Big Spring SIS miles. there is water AZ short dls
tsnces slong the whole r0ase. FnoGl the Spring /
the Rio Grande water Is 10, 50 sbandsnf, and Ger
tam points have 10 De made from day 10 day B
set IL