Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-16


error as there is deposit OF chloride Of sodium upon
the river the peculiar taste being communicated by
ingredient which il receives in its flowing for hundred
miles over gypsum formation which extends from the
Arkansas river in southeastery direction, TO the Rio
Grande
This great belt Of gypsum which have myself passed
through at four different points, embracing range OF
three hundred miles, is considered by DR.. Hitchcock to
be the extensive in the known world have every
where found it characterized by the peculiartes
with the water issuing from it invariably bitter and
seating
The Arkansas Canadian Brasos Colorado, and Pecos
rivers also pass through this formation, and similar
taste is impaired the OF all These rivers also
have their in the borders Of the elevated
table lands and where they make their exit from this
plateau their beds confined TO vast suices Gallons
the sides Of which rise very abruptly to enormous
height above the surface of the water.
This defe Red river is seventy miles in length the
from to eight hundred feet high on each
side and in many places the approach the
edge that there for TO pass and occasion
ally it necessary travel for miles the bed of the river
before spot Is found where horse can Chamber up the
PERCEPTIONS sides Of the chasm could determine in
my own mind whether this remarkable defle had been
formed after long lapse of time by the action of the
rent had been produced by some great CONFUSION of
nature
The barren mesa in which these rivers take their RISE
extends from the Canadian river in souhery course,
for about four hundred miles, between the parallels of
north latitude 80 deg 30 min. and 81 deg 20 min 1t is
in places nearly 200 miles in width and is embraced
within the merdans Of l0l and 104 deg west longitude
The approximate elevation of this plain above the sea,
as determined with the barometer, is three thousand
six hundred and fifty feet it is also much elevated
above the surrounding country very level and extends
off in every direction far as the eye reach without
tree, shrub any other vegetation to intercept the
vision. The traveller in passing over it. sees nothing
but vast barren and waste and dreary
solitude 1t is OF painless, trackless desert
prairie where the voice of is seldom heard, and
where no living being permanently resides II may with
|propriety be termed the Great Zahara Of North Ame
RIGA The almost total absence of water all ami
mails to sun even the Indians do not venture TO
it, except at two points, where they find few small
ponds. Many years since the Mexicans marked out
route the plain with stakes and hence the
by which it is known throughout Mexico of I Ltpo estd-
cado, or the g Staked Plain
The geological features of the country along the valley
of the upper Red river generally characterized by
rocks of the secondary formation The Wichita
tan however composed of granite rocks, with veins
of quartz running through them similar to the gcdbear
ing rocks of California Ores Of copper of very rich
quality found in many places throughout the valley,
and also discovered few small particles of gold the
| detritus from the mountains
The country embraced within the basin of the upper
Red river much frequented by several tribes of Indians
all having similar habits but speaking different languages
The most and warlike of these are the Ca
manche who separated into three distinct local grand
divisions, namely, the northern middle, and southern.
Each of these is subdivded into several bands command
ed by separate chiefs henorthern and middle Camanches
subsist almost entirely the flesh Of the buffalo, and
generally found their heels migrating with them from
1
which cannot the nature of things be made available
for agriculture and they be destined in future
they have been in former to be the empire OF the
erratic savage.
And it is fact worthy of remark that man. in what
situation may be placed influenced in his modes
of existence his physical and moral condition. by the
tural of climate, SOIL and other circumstances
around him. the operations of which he has
troll Fortunately, such is the exibity of his nature
that he adapts himself the hardest and most
ward circumstances and indeed ultimately becomes not
only reconced to his lot, but fancies his condition far
preferable to that of most others.
The example of border settlers is illustrative of
this fact since they continue to further and fur
her the settlements encroaeh upon Them prefer
ring life Of dangerous adventure and solitude personal
security and the comforts and enoyments of society and
what at first necessity to Them becomes in time
of excitement and pleasure The nomadc Indian
the prairie demonstrates the position still forc
bly, Free the boundless plains which he roams
he knows wants any Injuries beyond what he finds
the buffalo the deer at his door, These him for
food clothing and covering for his lodge and he signs
not for the distinctions which occupy the thoughts and
engage the energies Of civilized His only ambition
is that he may cope successfully with his enemy in
and manage his seed with unfailing adroiness He is
in the saddle from boyhood old age and his favorte
horse is his constant companion 1t is when mounted
that the Camanche exhibits himself the best advantage
he is then home and his skill in the various manuvres
which he makes available in battle such throwing
himself entirely upon side of his horse and dscharg
ing his arrows with great rapdty in the opposite direc-
ton from beneath the animals neck while he is at full
speed is truly astonishing Every warrior has his
horse, which is the feetest that be obtained He
prizes him highly than any thing else in his posses
son and it is seldom that he be induced to part with
him at any price. He mounts him except when
going into battle for the buffalo chase or upon state oc-
casions On his return from excursion he is met al
the door of his lodge by Of his wives who takes his
steed and attends TO its wants with the care The
prairie warrior performs mental labor his wives who
but little dearer to him than his horse perform all
the drudgery He follows the chase he smokes his pipe
he eats and sleeps and thus passing his time in his own
estimation, he is the most lordy and independent OF
sovereigns
Such of the characteristics Of the prairie In
dams and cannot dismiss the subject without remarkng
that in addition to the physical simude between the
deserts Of Arabia and the steppes of Central Asia to the
elevated prairie rsds Of country striking re-
sembance also exists between their respective
The Arabs of the desert the Tartar tribes and the abo
rgina occupants Of the praires alike wanderers
having permanent abiding places still living in their
travelling lodges, and where these are pitched making
their homes.
They acknowledge other rule than the pstrarchal
and other alliance but that Of fraternity and they are
alike insensibe to the and comforts Of civilization
They know neither poverty riches vice nor virtue
and they alike exempt from the deporabe vcistudes
Of fortune Theirs is happy state of equality which
knows not the perpextes Of ambition nor the crimes Of
avarice They cultivate the SOIL but subsst alto
geher game plumber, and pillage They are the most
expert horsemen in the world and cherish the fond
attachment for the animal.
In their political and domestic relations there is also
similarity. They governed by chiefs, whose Office is
hereditary long their administration meets the nm
probation of their followers The chief leads them to
war, and presdes their deliberations in council: hut
should he disgrace himself by any act Of cowardce or
maladminstraon, they do not hesitate to depose him
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