The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-09

ing to the south, the Colorado can Be seen for
many miles, tortuous in its course, but gradually
widening until it becomes connected with the
is, you know, part of the Great American Basin,
and one of the wonders of the American continent
There is but little land that can be cultivate in
not, without great difficulty, be ever irrigated
Nothing can ever render this section desirable as
residence, except il should possibly be made the
point over which railroad shall pass between the
Pacific and the Atlantic States. But shall have
more to say upon this subject hereafter. TT.
CoNcEPcIoS, MOUTH OF THE Gna, WEsr SIDE
OF THE COLORADO, July H. 1850.
Parties from misunderstanding Fort--Hs
Positio~-The Mdiams-Arr,uai of Caiiforn,ans
-New Rirer, &c, &c.
Just as was sending of my last letter to you, one
of our company, who had started for Z" the settle-
ments," made his appearance. He met on the way
letter from San Diego, giving intelligence which,
as il shows the mode in which matters take turn
in this country, will relate Ii appears, in the
first place, that when intelligence reached San
Francisco of the murder of Glontin and his compa-
mons at this place, and of the piles of money he
had accumulated, two parties were at once formed
there to come down and take possession Of the
ferry One of these was got up under the auspices
of Colonel Jack Hays, whlom of Texas, and
now Sheriff of San Francisco. The other was got
up, it said, by Col. Graham, of San Francisco.
Both ofthese parties, numbering 20 men each, had
arrived at San Diego, one of them, il was said,
with GO, 900 worth of goods to trade with the In
dans. In addition to this, an application for Ii.
cence to keep a ferry at this point had been made
by brother of Major Fitzgerald, who commands
the forces in the Southern section of California To
makeup the complement, couple OF Yankees,were
actually on their way with goods fer this point,
and would be up in a few days. This being the
"A re ed IN he in
dispensAble that We should proceed forthwith from
our then camping ground, and take posse ssion of
this point, as this has been heretofore the place
where the ferries have been established, and tits
also unquestionably the point where the military
force were to be stationed when it arrives. Ac-
cordingly, the next night We yoked up our
teams, and pushed ahead, and without meet
ing any obstacle worth relating, found our
selves the afternoon of the following day at the
point at which my letter is dated. This, you must
know, is on high bluff at the angle formed by the
Colorado Immediately before and after its junction
with the ella. These two rivers, by the by, as
they meet each other flow from exactly opposite
points, and the united force of their waters or
some other cause, has forced passage through
The spot we occupy has always been called
Conception on the Mexican maps 1t appears to
have been at one time occupied, for in building
fort we found abundant remains of old buildings
There was once, it is well known, mission in this
neghbOrhOod, but il was situated, as has general
ly been supposed, on the north side of the ella,
about mile above this. AT all events, Major Emory
gives it this location. The position here is very
pleasant one. At one view the eye takes in the
ella, the Colorado, before its union with the for
mer, and the united streams as they hurry off ra-
pidy to the south,s rather to the west that is
the course the river takes for some distance after
passing our camp.
We have built fine stockade fort, and consider
ourselves perfectly safe Our Yankee friends have
come up, and as we have disposed of all our goods
we have permitted them to come alongside, and
put themselves under our protection. The spring
emigration has not yet commenced. This is re-
variable, as it is at least six weeks later than il
The Indians are friendly, yet evidently do not
like the idea of Americans establishing themselves
here. j shall send you long letter about these
people at some other time.
Since writing the above, one Of the companies
from San Francisco has arrived, and is encamp-
ed on the river, about mile below u.s. Several OF
them are from New York. learned from them
that New river, as it is called, has again made It's
appearance. This is a stream Of water, both wide
and deep, about midway of the desert, that flows
up frem the Colorado, and, what is remarkable
about 1t. begins TO appear just as the Colorado be-
gins TO fall. Ii was never known there for sixty
years, IL is said, till last season II is agreat bless
ing TO travellers, for, without it, the desert would
be almost impossible at this season. la the fall,
when the waters subside, an excellent crop OF grass
springs up, and this, too, Of course, yer,
valuable purpose TO the traveller.
II is matter of considerable speculation, with
us here, TO know what has become of the spring
emigration from the States, this season IL is a
month, and even more, later this season, than last
Up to this time, not a single company have arrived,
that have left within the present year L. +.
CoNcrrcIoS Mourn OF THE CHA.
July 23d, 1850.
Emigrants-Mr. Henry Hermans, of Rentacky-
n Charaeto-7as Hatf-6reed. Geo. Eide Jnah
acknowledgements of a Misnon-Rseent Aots
of the Umahs, their Destiny, &c, &c.
! wrote you last week, by one Of our company
who went in for provisions. Since then little has
occurred to disturb our tranquility No American
companies have arrived, and we have almost given
up the idea of their being any on the road. On
Tuesday last we had quite an excitement, occa-
stoned by the arrival at the Opposite shore Of an
American, who soon came over with companion.
Il proved to be a Mr.. Henry Hermans, of Frank
fort, Ky, who left New Orleans late last Deem.
Der, and who came on to Derango, and thence
struck into the road at Culiacon, and came up to
this point through Sonora, in company with train
Of Mexcans MIR. Hermans informs US that, about
20 miles up the ella from this place, there came
into the camp To which he belonged, an American,
almost naked, and in languid and exhausted
party, and left here before the murder to
20 up the CHA, for some purpose. That
on their return, he and his party were taken
BY the Indians, and robbed OF all they had; and
that he had left his companions enfeebled that
few Of them couli walk The Mexicans supplied
him literally with provisions, and he left lester-
day, the same fellow made his appearance the
otlef side OF the river, opposite TO us and wished
10 be set across. We, however, did not 20 10 him
His name Ia George Ellis. He Is half breed, from
one Of the Western States. lie was with the
/ Umahs at the time Of Glontns murder, and Is sup
posed 10 have been It's chief instigaiot lie is a rare
villain and his whole story 20 the Mexicans and 10
| Mr. Hermans was unquestionably fabrication
| The probability u, that he is hatching some plan
with the Umahs 10 compass the destruction Of the
Americans now on the nver
Onr copper colored neirhbors are not 30 stten-
tive as they have been, seldom visiting our camp.
have no doubt they would destroy us II they Jared
20, butwe are luckily too well protected against
them.
As these Indians, the Umahs, have already
gained some notoriety, and are probably destined
| TO more, a few remarks upon their history and
character may not be unweccne.