The republic., 1851-03-20


One mile below the Junction Of the Giia,
January 8, 1851
TO The Editor of the Neio York Herald:
take pleasure in laying before tho public the
following information, which will be Of great i'm
porancc to those whointend crossing the continen,
during the coming season: Within the past few
days voyage Of discovery has been made down
the Colorado of the West, and tho opinions oil
Emory and Johnson, as expressed in their pub
lshed reports respecting it, n%syigsbity. are CON
ploration belongs to DR.. John l.. Ia Conte, gen.
teman well known to the scientific circlcs Of New
York, and to DR.. George Ogden, of Mississippi. the
President of the Colorado Ferry Company. They
started from this place and descended one hundred
miles in an open skiH, until they met tide-wa
The least depth obtained in the channel, fourteen
miles below the mouth Of the ella, was five feet,
while there average Of nine feet The river ia
winding, and the current in many, places rapid.
There are but few sunkcn trees, and these arc too
small to deserve the name OF snags. Since DR.. La
Contes return, intelligence has been received Of the
arrival of the United States schooner nvncible at
the point where his observations terminated. This
discovery of an avenue OF water communication
into the heart Of the California desert, and the
steps which will be taken Immediately to open
steam navigation, must render the southern route
by far the most inviting to the overland emigration.
military post, composed Of three companies OF
the I'd United States infantry, commanded by Maj
o. p. Heintzclman, is established at the point where
the emgrant trail strikes the river. The presence
Of this force will keep the Indians along the road in
check, and obviatc all danger to life and property.
Cheap and safe ferriagc is provided, thus removing
delay and risk in crossing the Colorado which
hnvc hitherto been the most serious objections to
this route. Provisions will be furnished q rca-
sonable price, rendering it necessary to bring only
sufficient TO last to this place, enabling trains to
travel more expedtiously, and making great
saving in the wear and tear Of animals. few
miles below the crossing, there is abundance of
the finest grass, where stock can be refreshed and
put in good order for the markets in the settle
nenta in tnnd m anif r. tod hu a
people OF Sonora to emigrate to the banks Of the
Gila and Colorado. for the purpose Of cultivating
their excellent soil and to enjoy the protection Of
the United States Government.
A belief exists, founded upon direct testimony
and upon historical evidence, well as confirmed
by tho geological formation, that gold and silver
mines OF great valuc arc contained in the noun
tains in which the branches of the ella take their
rise. i have received the statements of several
intelligent Mexicans, who declared they had Wis
tied these mines, and taken out both gold and
silver ore. The hostility Of the Apaches has hith-
erto prevented their being opened and worked.
gentleman thoroughly acquainted with the
subject is about to proceed on . tour for the
purpose Of examining tho reported localities.
RADIO be navigatcd by light draught steam
for two hundred miles above the mouth of
the GiIa, and the same remark can be applied TO
tho latter stream, during its high stages. The
the scat of populous and fourishing town at no
distant period. The finest location for city ia up
on the eastern bank Of the Colorado, between the
boundary line and the river, commencing at the
mouth OF the Gila This would enable an Ameri.
can and Mexican city to grow up side by side,
separated only by street. The position of Gila
city, which exists only paper, is untenabe, be-
ing cut of thrce months OF the year by large
slough. .ssr.t
Whatever the future shall develop, for the pre-
sent earnestly call the attention Of emigrants to
the facts have stated.
Very respectfully, am, sir, your obedicnt SER
want, II. 8. HUNT,
Assistant Surveyor, U. S. A.