The New York herald., 1851-08-01
Latter sio Gen. Thos Je6ersOa puthsr-
lana-Things in Nebraska.


Latter som Gen. Thos Jenersoa Buthsr-
lana-Thinss in Nebraska.
Fonr KEARsY,
NSBaAsNA TERRriogy, July 10, 1851.
1ar NiqaSka Riuu-Ftsf Kuray--Aymy Er.
goiSes- Pawn6e bldiaas-Grad Islard- Pa,cnee
Purchases, &C.
JAMES GoFDoN Bennett, ESQ. =
SiI-l take the occasion to communicate few
more observations upon this very interesting sec
tion Of country.
The Nebraska (or Platte river, is one Of the
largest tributaries of the Missouri rises by two
branches, called the North and South Forks, in the
Rocky Mountains. After the union Of the two
forks Of the river which is formed about four hun
dred miles distant from their sources, the waters Of
the Nebraska Asw east wardy the distance of about
four hundred miles further, and then unite with the
waters of the Missouri river, in Al 3 l3 north
latitude. The mouth OF the Nebraska is about
seven hundred miles from the Mississippi river,
measuring the meanders Of the Missouri, with
which its waters are embraced; anl at ia m outh
ii is q bout six hundred yards wide but, above it,
spreads out into breadths from one to three miles
and at low water, this apparently mighty river
(Which at this place is from one and a hall to two
miles wide,) may be forded at almost any place
Its principal tributary streams are the Elk Horn
and the Loup Fork, both running from the north,
and the latter at ninety miles from its mouth. by
the North Fork o the Nebraska river, following the
Sweetwster branch the best passage Is obtained
across the Rocky Mountains.
During the ordinary stages, the surface Of water
in the Nebraska river is scarcely more than that Of
the sand; and to those standing on the bluffs and
looking down upon the stream, while the glare OF
the sun is resting upon It, there is presented tho
semb!ance Ot river Of silver and hence the French
name La Platte, the silver river Nebraska is the
Ottoe Indian name, signfying broad and shallow,
and descriptive Of the character OF the river.
Fort kearny is y military depot, situated on a
table Of land from and half TO two miles south
the right bank of tho Nebr river. astant two
hundred and thirty miles west from the Missouri,
by n measurement upon the digressions Of tn, ira
yelled road between this place and Table Creek,
(Old For: kearny and t is at the head Of cluster
of ISLANDS in the Nebraska river, scattered along
stretch of sixty miles, called Grand Island A Sc
cond table OF land rises above the which the
post has been established.
Though termed a fort, in military parlanee, the
place IS without forti6cstions Of any kind. The
buildings consist of one for the officers quarters,
a soldiers barracks, hospital and the COM
mandants residence, and sutters storehouse, built
Of wood. There is also guard house, which is
built Of wood; and com nssary's storehouse. OF
adobe. There is also block Of sod houses, five
in number, occupied by followers Of the army, and
three separate, ones occupied by non-co mssioned
officers; and this is all there Is Of Fort kearny,
exclusive Of the troops and their military attiral
which force consists Of the fractions of two COM
panies Of Sixth Regiment L. s. Infantry, whereof
Captain Henry w. Wharton is senior and com
mandng officer The other officers Of the post
are First Lieutenant Rensselaer, w. Foote, Second
Lieutenant Thomas o. Davis, and DR.. William
Hammond, Surgeon.
The military forces stationed here are not VI the
smallest account, either II the protection and sue
order among the Indians; yet the expense of this
post to the public treasury Of the tuited States OF
no inconsiderable amount. For transportation Of
stores from the Missouri river, 20 miles, the prices
paid have varied from S70 10 $40 per ton; oats
have been purchased at as high rate as 81 so per
bushel, and corn st 81; and am informed by one
of the quaitermasters ofthe army that they now
have a contract extending for the next two years;
to be furnished with corn at az % per blshel,
which, at dist snce Of 2SS miles, be purchased
for 25 cents per bushe for oneninth Of the cost
of the same TO the government At this place Ano'
ther item OF expense Is the amount paid Tor the
transportation Of mail for the post; to and from
post Office on the Missouri river, once each month;
which, in addition 20 the use, an0 Of pup
lie property Of the value of ,5n0 and the cost Of
forage for two double teams, Is 81 ,00 per annum.
Such are the gimblet holes which form the great
mass Of leaksges from the public treasury; AMI
they are the kinds of expeI ses which consume tie
appropriations for the army Into these let the pro-
per spiles be driven, and broken of.
Grand Island, ms have before set forth, lie con-
prised ef eve hundred islands, or more, forming
chain which stretches along for sixty miles eas.
from this post The largest Of these ss dds 10 not
more tbsn fifteen miles in length, and from two to
three miles in breadth They are generally tim
bered with cotton wood and willow; and some Of
them are Of rich soil, and well adapted for cuva-
tion.
On the 9th Of October, 1888. a treaty was con.
cluded by Henry l.. Ellsworth, commissioner on
the part Of the United States, with the chiefs aud
bead men OF the four confederate bands Of the
Pawnee Indians, whereby they ceded to the United
States all thcir right nte rest, and title in and to
all the land lying foutb Of the Platte (Nebraska)
river" which ceSsion included the lands between
the Rocky Mountains ard the Ottoe lands, that ex-
tend about one hundred miles west from the Mis-
souri, lying along the south side of the Nebrayka;
and these lands, se ceded by the Pswnees, have a
breath Of not less than ono hundred miles. By
the treaty named. it was agreed that the lands
ceded should be open 60 the Pawnees a. a hunting
ground, :" during the pleasure Of the President.n
his post is the Pswhoe ccssion in que stion; and
within this tract there are included some Of the
finest lands in the world
On the 9th Of August, 1873, another treaty wa,
entered into by Lieut. Colonel Ludwell L. Po veil,
Of the Missouri Moun,ed Volunteers in the service
otthe United States, and tho chiefs aud head men
Of the said four confederated bands Of pawnee
Indians, whereby they cedod and relinaushed 70
the United States call their right title and inter-
IN and to all that tract of Iaad described - fol-
lows, VIZ: Ccm men ,ing on tho south side Of the
Platte (NebTsska, river, five miles west OF this
post, (Fort kesrDyJ ihence due north to tho crest
" the bluff north ofth, said Platte river; thence
East and along the crest Of said bluffs Co the term-
nation Of Grand Island, supposed to be about sixty
niles distsnt thence south 10 tho souhem shore of
aid Platte river; thence wost and along the south
Tn shore of sed Platte river 10 the place OF begin
ling These bounds include clip Of land sixty
niles long by varied breadth supposed to average
'bOvt tselye mcs and 20 inclu k almost the entire
4 tio timbered lands Of the neghborhood. and If
Ionsftss will provide for tho settlemen, Of this
rsc, BY liberal donations of lands the tsoo "a sa-
'io.ed here may be removed, the post broken 10,
and the government ssved the expenditure Of a
large sum of money annually, uhich is and syor
must be supplied by fvTds drawn from the hard
arr Egs of the people OF this rcpsblic.
The Pnwnee Indians arc very civil but indolent
race q beings-ordtrly md bar niess excep. when
b, those who claim 10 have bren civilized. re-
.Tcct.blc popolation Of "land- owners" md "sol-
sorkcrs' located alore,idc Of these Indians here
would DO thai for thet civil tou which is needed
nd shich cin never he dore by government
cnool teachers and plisson srics sent among them.
Nf- IL. A..