The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31

ST. LOUIS, Missouri March Is, 1852.
The Emigration of 1862 to the Shores of the Pacific
-TTM the Government Troops Protect them p
kossufh, &c, &c.
From this point in my pilgrimage it may not be
uninteresting to Of your readers and especially
those who, like myself, bound to the land Of
promise, to learn what is going on in this almost
ultima thule Of civlization--this jumping of place
into the Wilderness
The city is already full of fellow pilgrims pur-
chasing outfits, seeking information concerning the
route, sc. From these indications, and from infor-
nation from the frontiers, am led to believe the
emigration will be very large--not so large, pro-
badly, in 1850. The feature Of this years exodus
is different from that of former ones. When Calfor
MIA was experiment, only strong men, with their
trusty rifles upon their shoulders dared the dangers
Of an unknown desert Of two thousand miles, intest
ed with hostile savages, and with worse than mortal
foes to dread--hungcr, and thirst, and starvation.
The experiment successful, and now thousands
Of sturdy Adventures are packing up their house.
hold gods, and their scanty wealth, and, with their
wives and children, are seeking homes upon the
Pacific.
Daniel Boone little thought, when he set out with
his rifle on his shoulder, with his wife and children
and his small train of followers, that he was found
ing mighty empire in the valley Of the Mississip-
~
white top wagons will be seen to dot the prai-
ries, little dream that they are founding an en-
pre on the utmost boundary of the continent. The
result is not doubtful-we feel it already-but the
complete Developments of time who can foretell!
AS before mentioned, very large proportion OF
this years emigration will be women and children,
and they will require the protection OF the govern
troops against the hordes OF predatory tribes
that ines the praires whose very existence mainly
depends upon their success in plunderng, and whose
good faith for that very reason, cannot DC relied
on, when the check upon them is treaty stipulation
instead of physical force ] know by experience
the bad faith and unreliableness Of Indian charac-
ter, under strong temptation, and have conse-
quently taken some pains to ascertain what mea-
sures have been adopted by the administration for
the protection Of this comparatively deenceless class
OF our fellow citizens, who are seeking their fortune
by this weary road
In debate in the House Of Representatives some
time slnce-called up by some inquiries made by
the delegate from Oregon-a friend of the admins
tration, who seemed to be speaking by the card,
asserted that the War Department had taken efh-
cient measures for the protection of the emil
giants of this year Well set this down as
gospel truth; but, inquiry of gentlemen here,
connected with the army, | find that there
only three companies OF dragons IN TINS
part of the country that could, this season, be
made available for this duty. One of them. con-
sising of thirty or forty men, is at Fort Leaven-
worth; the other two, whose organization and
equipment have not been completed, are at Jeher
son barracks near this city, and from the contra
dctory orders that they have received from time to
time, it seems their organization in time to be OF
service to the emigranis is extremely doubtful.
was told that the officer charged with preparing
these troops for the plains, (Gen. Clarke) made
demand upon the officer in charge of the Arsenal
near this city for arms, and was answered that he
had no authority from Washington to make the is
similar answer was made to the demand
upon the Quartermaster's Department for horses
At the same time the Adutant General, by COM
mand of the Secretary at War, writes to the Gene
rnl to hasten the equipment of these companies.
This have from good authority, and your readers
who feel interested on this subject can sec what
kind of protection they are likely to have in going
to Oregon and California this summer.
| feel no personal interest in this matter, for We
are able to protect ourselves, being seven in
her, all Americans except one, an Engshman. who is
of the .'pure grit" as kentuckian of our party
expresses it; but for the comparatively deeneeless
parties that have been promised protection by the
government, and who have trusted their lives, and
what is a thousand fold more precious, the lives OF
their wives and children, to this promise, we see
how il is likely to be fulfilled.
What can he said in eytenuationor TINS ~ II
positive bad faith. or is it only the same mbecility
that has characterized the entire administration Of
the War Department under Mr.. Conrad The de-
cayaton of the friend Of the administration on the
occasion Of the debate in the House of Representa-
lives before referred 70, was either made in entire