The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-21

II
A eoF4esDondent Of the Picayune, writing from
chihuahua, Dee %, 1s49, furnishes way-biIl
from fredericksburg, in Texas, to San Francisco,
California, through Mexico The main points on
the route, after leaving the Western boundary Of
Texas, are the San Saba, the Pecos, FL Paso,
South Pass, Santa Cruz thence to the River ella,
down the Gila to the Pimos Village; thence to the
crossing of the Colorado and thence along the Cal
iforna coast to San Francisco-making altogether
about 1900 miles. BY this the entire route
may be easily traced, on map of Mexico, BY all
persons intending to make the overland route to
San Francisco. We copy a considerable portion
Of the letter, which will befound exceedingly inter
esting Ats
THE P1Nos VILLAGE This village is some
six eight miles long, containing from TO eight
thousand inhabitants They are peaceable and
industrious Indians, and have at all times plenty of
corn, beans, etc., for sale From this village to the
crossing of the Colorado, at the juncture Of the
CHA, it is about one hundred and sixty-fye miles,
with but little no range, aud about fifty miles
without water except during the rainy season.
| After crossing the Colorado there ninety miles
over the desert and fifteen miles after leaving the
desert before interesting good range and water
| making two hundred and seventy miles OF bad
road with but little for animals to subsist on.
This difficulty can be obviated by persons supply
ing themselves with corn at the Pimos Awant
of water in passing the desert heretofore was one
4 OF the most serions Inconvenience on the route
This difficulty is now remedied by the rising OF
considerable stream Of water near the halfway
ground, which forces its way through the desert
| into the Colorado. The range which is very
| important item in passing over the continent may
| be considered good except between the Pimos and
the settlements the California coast, less than
| three hundred miles. Except the months of Nav
June and part of July, which terminate nine
months drought in this country, there is more or
less water generally between those apparently long
drinks, which would be mere nothing If persons
would take plenty Of gourds and water pouches,
which are all-important instead of surplus clothing
and other things which unnecessary the road
The man that starts to California by land with
the calculation Of pushing through, who encumbers
himself with more than a simple outfit suited to
travelling emergencies alone, will pay well for the
want OF experience before he halls California. A
few days provisions is all that person should lay
In at a time, except between fredericksburg and
Ell Paso, which requires about twenty days supply
for pack mules, and but little more for wagons
with good mule teams and light loads Provisions
and can be had at all the little towns and
ranches on this route for fair prices during the
winter and spring, and can be obtained at all sea-
sons but at her rates. Parties going from Texas
by land had better leave Fredericksburg by the LIST
of March or April either. Men who are not fond
OF walking had better take care of their mules
horses they should not have. The Upas or Sharp
stick Indians generally help persons over the Colo
RADIO with their small skin boats, etc. They pro-
Tess entire friendship, but it is well known thew
will steal the blankets you cover WITH in case you
sleep sound at night and it is believed they would
kill small parties for their property if once found in
their power. After leaving the Colorado a few
miles thereis but little danger to be apprehended
from the Indians. But this state OF affairs does not
exist between Texas and the Pimos, particularly
no bka RIN do ar,l st,n =.
This once fourishing but now unfortunate country,
notwithstanding all It's mineral resources and graz
ing advantages, have been to a great extent re-
lduced to poverty by the continued aggressions of
the Apache Indians Men can only travel and
carry on their outdoor homestead operations in
| this country with safety in formidable bodies
which IS one of the most harassing and serious in
| conveniences, and pecuhiary disadvantages that
/ any people could be subject to- 1t is not Mexico
alone that is subject to these savage annoyances.
| All Western Texas and New Mexico have to paw
| tribute to those wild and uncivilized human
species. 1t might be considered rude and impoli-
tic OF any individual to hazard an opinion averse 10
the former successful policy of the United States
Government towards the savage tribes, but having
this privilege, and feeling confident in the correct
ness OF the position, hazard the opinion that no
pohey short Of whipping these savages into. sense
OF lheir duty and interest will ever give security to
person and property in this vast unsettled region Of
country 50 much to be travelled and explored by
| the citizens OF the United States
| The minds of these Indians ara more rude and
| gnorafit of the laws of civilization and honesty
than any Of the savage tribes that are known.
| They have by predatory habits and popular custom
orgeneralions back, been trained to supply all their
| wants and crafty all their savage inciDations al
the expense of the blood and treasure Of western
enterprise A horrible late example is the case OF
| Mrs. White and her two lille children who were
taken prisoners some two months SINCE about sew.
enty live miles north of Santa Fe at the same time
| that her husband and some eight other Americans
were murdered, and large quantity of goods and
their properly taken The Indians who Committed
this atrocous deed in treaties Of friendship with
the United States Government Seven or eight o.
the mnrderers have been taken, but it is unknown
what their fate will be. Many Americans 10 this
section of country are of opinion that the present
sympathizing policy Of Government towards Indians
in general, would justify handing them over TO the
Judiciary, and having them tried by the laws and
courts of equity. This is not half they can do, nor
a beginning of what they will do, unless they are
taught at the expense Of blood that certain punish
ment and rigid revenge will follow
There is another route from Ell Paso TO California,
via Chihuahua, Santer Maria, and Ures in Sonora,
missing the desert entirely. On this route it is said
| there IS range and water all the way through. II
was explored and made by the SOn0fians on return
ing from the gold digging last fall They had In
dams as pilots Persons may get into this route by
going from Carrotetaz to UTes, which is but nine
days travel for pack mules. Wagons cannot travel
either of the last mantionad rputss