The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-13
interesting 20 Immigrants.

Interesting 20 Immigrants.
The following article from the Bath MD Tn
buns Of the 4th instant contains matter likely TO
be interesting and important to many individuals
who are now contemplating a visit to the gold re-
gions, beginning to think Of it as possibility,
that we copy II entire;
FRxNcH's ExPREss PASSENGER TRAIN.r-We OBJ
serve in the Boston Post advertisement in which
somebody proposes TO convey passengers rom on New
the ella, nc. 70 San Francisco. The price per pas
senger, with fifty five pounds of baggage, two hun
bred and fifty dollars Transit to Lavaca In first
class steamer from thence BY stage, each stage 70
rangers TO act as an escort
Having been one of the company (the Fremont
Mining Association) who took the route which
Frenchs train proposed TO pass in their transit
to California, and learned by experience and by
subsequent results that this Is the worst possible
route that can at present be selected as overland
passage to California, we are constrained 10 offer
word Of advice TO those who propose Visiting the
gold region, and who may be induced to avail
themselves Of this opportunity TO go overland. In
doing this we are controlled by naught else than
desire to prevent the repetition of mpostions which
have caused a vast amount OF misery, dsappoint-
ment, and sacrifice Of life and health, much of
which might have been prevented had the public
press been active in it's duties
In the month of March, l649, the rush of emf
grants to California excessive. The Isthmus
had in q measure become blocked, passengers
were returning, and letter, signed by hundreds
then at Panama, was sent to New York, setting
forth the fact that the steamer had not returned,
and there was little prospect of obtaining passage
up from the Isthmus. This unexpected state Of
things caused the tide of emigration to seek other
channels by which the great FL Dorado Of the west
might be reached. The feasibility of land passages
was discussed. and numerous routes were suggest
ed by which emigrants might reach the desired
haven with comparative ease and in brief time
Several companies were organized, and started for
tk.t U,bk
and Audubon, Of New York. Companies from Sa-
lem, from Lynn, and from Lowell, Massachusetts,,
and one from this place, took the overland route,
so some Of them going through MEXICO and sopo BY
seeking their way, either in companies or indivd-
ually the vast plains deserts, and mountain
ranges, to California; most Of them, fortunately,
taking the Independence and Santa Fe route.
This state of affairs offered to the numerous gull
catchers of New York fine opportunity to plumber,
and right well did they improve it.. Stool-pigeons
put out in different parts of the CITY, and many
were decoyed, by the most base misrepresentation
into their snares; and venture to assert that the
bones of hundreds now rotting on the plains of
Mexico who were recklessly sent astray by these
New York villains, who prey upon the unwary and
live by the spoils thus obtained.
We need not refer to the fate Of these companies,
their history is well known, and, in many in
stances their sufferings have been detailed Webbs
company, which started under the most favorable
auspices, was broken up on the Rio Grande, part
of them returned, part died, and the others got
through to California, after most fatguing and
suffering journey ofabout nine months
company called the "Fremont Mining Asso-
citation" left New York the last of March to go to
Port Lavaca, in Texas, and thence across by Ell
Paso, through the valley of the Del Norte, thence
by the ella, thence by the Colorado, SC, to San
Worth, and the fact that the United States troops
were about to move forward under his command
gave it additional Importance. The Fremont As
sociation landed at Galveston the last of April
A. ~1oA& - Dx~x xL.-~
menced their land journey for California. They
were well equipped with wagons, tents, provisions,
arms, and all things necessary for the arduous
journey before them. They soon learned, however,
all others will who attempt the land route, that
they would pay dearly for all the gold they could
obtain, however successful they might be. They
at glance that the representations of the fea-
sibility Of the route were falsethat TO accomplish
the task they must endure privation, fatigue,
danger, exposure in the extreme, and this for a
term of not less than six months duration. These
facts induced many 10 turn back and abandon the
expedition, though they were obliged to make a
considerable pecuniary sacrifice in so doing.
Others turned back after proceeding onward for a
month, and took passage at New Orleans for the
Isthmus. OF those who pushed their way through,
the following is the only intelligence which we
have seen in relation them which is contained in
the Pacific Ns,cs of January 3lst, received per the
last mail from California:
captain BAILEY OF THE PANAMA.-On the
arrival of the steamer at San Diego, Bailey found
there number Of emgrants for California, by the
route across Mexico, some of whom were in des-
titute condition. Some of them were entirely out
of money. or even the necessaries of life, yet
who wished passage, whether possessed of the
means of purchasing one or not, were provided for
Captain Bailey, in this matter will receive hearty
endorsement from the whole American people
Among the sufferers relieved is portion of the
Fremont Mining Association which left San An
tonic on the 18th June last, and large number Of
the members of which were reported in the New
Orleans papers to have died Of cholera. Previous
to reaching the coast, the company separated
forty-cight taking the route to Monterey, and
thirty four the road to San Diego the latter is the
portion of the company now here. The journey
Of this company has been long and tedious one,
have been over nine and a half months on their
route. II is to be hoped that their future reward
viii be commensurate with their sufierings.''
Here, then, we have fair illustration Of the
beauties Of this Ell Paso route, over which Mr..
French proposes TO run bis passenger train. Our
experience 1--WE have been the track) warrants
us in saying, that whoever takes passage in this
train win rue the day that he heard of such place
as California; and we do not hesitate TO avow tina,
any man who will induce cmigrants to attempt a
passage TO California by the route specified ought
to be Indicted for robbery and murder, for he will
be guilty Of both. And we call upon the public
journals, whose duty ii is TO forewarn the people
and TO prevent them from falling into the snares
which are 30 frequently set, and which too fire.
quenty are sprung upon the better and moro con-
fding portions Of our citizens TO caution Calfor-
mans against the FL Paso route We know nothing
about Mr.. French his express train, but this
much we do know, that he is ignorant of all mat
tiers connected with the route through Texas, he
intends TO defraud emigrants numerous New
York pick pockets have done.
We say 10 every individual who would go TO
California, sbun all companies, all combinations,
all express trains and all propositions 10 GO by the
FL Paso, or through Mexico, under the guidance
of Texan rangers, United States officers, any
other clsp-trap that may be offered, as you would
viper or a rattle-snake. We speak from selfex-
pericnce, and from facts elected from those with
whom we were associated, and who have not only
seen, but rode ON the very track upon which
"French's Express Passenger Train" proposes TO
pass.