Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-20

our poor Vanished animals who had been deprived Of
most all ustenance for than sixty hours during h
greater part OF which time they had been motor
was indeed nearly great relief to 10 them for
had been doubtful whether the mule we had
have gone than half miles further Several
them had given out in crossing the last plain and had
leave them and the baggage behind and 10 for 1t after
ward Another day without water and the whole train
nave inevitably persisted. Both and beast being
peey exhausted remained here three days for eresmen
Moreover we were now TO prepare for crossing
other desert OF seventy miles, which, my guide norme
me- still lay between and the southern end Of the lake.
had passed it IN 1S45 with Fremont who had lost
mules and several horses in eectng the passage having
little party"
The Importance of the exploration CALAMITY conduct
ed by Capt Stansbury is indicated by the fact that the
Valley Of the Great Salt Lake is the only point between
the missouri and the Pacific Ocean whence supplies Of
provisions can be procured and it is Of the
sequence therefore, that il should be considered in any
fornia.
The number Of emigrants to the "Diggings had been
SO great that Capt Sansbury described she road
ing as broad and well beaten any turnpike road in the
country but the dangers and difficulties which the emf
grants have to encounter from the of bridges fer
ries and more especially from the terrible scarcity Of
water which hundreds of cattle to die the road
mus forcing the emgrants to abandon nearly all they
possess glad to escape with their lives,
GUS ana terrible in the extreme The evidences of these
sunerngs meet the travellers eye all along the route
especially as he approaches the district of the Great Salt
LAKE, The road is srewed with the of horses
which nave exhausted from fatigue and
thirst or poisoned by the saline springs dozens of
CONS lie on the road in heaps burnt disabled aban
doned; hundreds of pounds of bacon and other provi
sons thrown away from the failure of the of
port and with these lie in confused abandonment almost
every article Of household furniture and every sort of
cooking uensil that be imagined. For hundreds of
miles the prairie is covered with excellent clothing har
ness poughs miners backsmths and carpenters tools
OF every possible variety together with bar ron Steel
and other materials Of industry excellent scientific in
and books of every description collected doubt
less with much labor and great sacrifice and carried with
infinite trouble and anxiety distance Of perhaps two
miles, to be at last left to the road through
this terrible and extraordinary country No wonder then
that vast number Of those who set out full of health
and vgor either terminate their hopes and fears in these
dreary soudes retrace their steps with sad hearts
and shattered frames
Capt Stansburys party frequently passed from four to
SIX graves of emgrants in day. many of them recently
but sad mementoes of disappointed hopes
ana sangune enterprise Scarcely day passed in which
they did not meet party of emigrants returning in
wretched plight all that they possessed sold given away
or abandoned Some of the attached to this Expedi
ton dsgraced themselves by abandoning it for the land
OF promised gold One party of these the Captain af
forwards heard were stripped by the Indians of every
ce they possessed and were left to find their way Ca
ifornia in the most miserable plight.
An amusing instance is here recorded Of the way in
which an ingenious emigrant met difficulty Having
number Of kegs of brandy which he compelled to
leave in the prairie he buried his cherished cordial in the
earth, covered it like grave, and placed at the head
Iu anu partculr ii mol true, account or the deceased
his name, age, where he raised and when he fell
being set forth in remarkably distinct characters Fur
Their on he sold the brandy traders, who easily
found the affecting memorial and drew the spirit from
its repose.
We have often heard curious anecdotes of the prairie
dog but none strange than those related by Capt
Stansbury which, from the evidently cautious character
OF the narrator, demand attention He says that the
holes in the ground in which these little creatures live are
shared by the rattesnake several instances of which
came under the observation of the party But what is
still more extraordinary, told that little white
burrowing owl Syr cuncuaria is also frequently found
taking its abode in the domic and this strange
association of reptile bird and beast to live together
In perfect harmony and peace. The Captain does not
give this latter fact his voucher but says that
he has been assured of from many SO various and
such credible sources, that he could not doubt it.
Next week shall return to these volumes for some
interesting particulars relating the new Mormon settle
ment in the valley of this great Salt Lake.