Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-01-29

ORIGINAL NARRATIVE.
Notes of a Seven Months Journey to
CALIFORNIA.
VA FORT SMITH SANTA FE GILA RIVER, AND
TIE TUE LAKES
fr,ra the Private Journal kept BY
VM H. CIIAMBERLIN, CT L,vIsBrEe, PA.
.
CONTINUED.
Friday, June l.-Crossed the stream,
and ascended long sloping hill surrounded
on all sides by rough, mountainous
country. The grass in The small val!les,
is very short, owing to the vast amount oil
stock that i, crazed here. Passed through
large herds of cattle and sherp. AT the
,op of the HILL we found small, COO!
spring, gushing up from the rocks, the
water slightly impresnated with sulphur !;
shortly afterwards, came 10 fork" 10
our road. Here we were IN a dilemma,
not knowing which 20 pursue alter sew
eraI hours delav, We concluded 10 go II
blind" Encampcd on small pia'n +;
found small pool Of water about a mile
from camp, but no, enough for our stock.
There was a shepherds camp near us, ol
whom we procured some OF the richest
milk | ever drank, and what luxury.
Tbsv inT,rm rs that we are within few
miles of San Miguel. Distance, ls miles
-7se.
Saturday, June 2.-S'ar,ed early ih's
morning. in expectation Of seeing some
place very soon, bu, did not reach " town.
until late in the afternoon passed two
Mexican ranches on the way if all The
inhabitants Of New Mexico live in similar
manner, they are to be pi,ied. Their mis-
erable rnud-dweIings do no, compare with
the more comfortable log-cabns of the
colonized Indians. on the border OF The
States This country and lis inhabitants
are certainly "preity accesslons' TO The
prooerty and influence of I" Uncle Sam.
Here we saw rich specimen of the pack
ing business scverul jackasses we're load
ed with abou, 400 lbs. Of corn each, and
driven of 10 market. Here we also saw
some Of the effects Of Roman Catholic
missionary labor, Mexican woman had
several fine looking white children clI"g'ns
around her their father, she said. was an
"Americano missionary" bu, he had "vam'
osed" 10 the s,a'es-poor woman .
Before reaching San Miguel. we came
ou, uoon the Santa Fe and Independence
road. II is better than any M'Adamized
road | ever saw in the States, being broad,
smooth, and solid Crossed Pacos river,
large tributary Of The Rio Grande it is
abou, 30 yds wide, and rapid. The water
Is good, and very cold, caused by the snow
melting off the mountains to the north. the
white capped peaks Of which are IN sight.
San Miguel is situated on this river. 1t is
composed Of about IS adobe novels, one
story high, all the out buildings (lf they
have any, being within the same walls.
There are several stores or groceries in
The place, their principal business being
the sale OF inferior liquor, at "bIt' a
glass. We encamped near the town !;
,here is no grass within miles Of the place.
bu, we were lucky in getting some corn al
81 so per bushel :.ir is very Inferior TO the
corn raised 10 The States. The only land
in the vicinity that can be cultivated, is the
narrow flats along PAGES river, and their
ii requires irrigation. Walked into town
,hi. evening TO " see the sights" Our at
teniion was soon attracted 10 4" Fandan.
co. open to all. and especially TO American
emigran,s. This was a curiosity 10 me /;
i, was certainly a shade laster than any.
thing OF the kind | had ever seen before
"a medlay of Mexicans and Americans.
dancing upon ground floor with the
Margueret,as" Of the country, the lace
OF each Of these ornamen,ed with a cigar.
rette. Some OF their dances we're pretty,
keeping remarkably good time with the
music, the gentlemen being obliged to trea,
their partners TO glass of wine at the end
of each seti. Bu, the "noise and confu.
sion,. heat, smoke. dust, fumes of liquor,
and The strange +" lingua." made it sorry
endowment for me, and left the scene o
merrimen, a, an early hour. Distance
IL miles-S0O.
Sunday, June a.-Conciuded 10 remain
here until tomorrow. Purchased soms
Mexican bread, which was very good viii
one exception. being sour. The Virgini,
and Louisiana messes started for Santa F,
.c-day. We are anxious 10 travel will