Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-26
CENTRAL ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC.


BEALE and GwIsS Hams HEAR from Missouri TO Cali
lorna: Journal kept ~ G. II. HEAP.
On the Sd of March, 1853 Congress passed law APP
propriatng S25o0o0 for the purpose of carrying into
execution plan which Z. f BEALE Superintendent Of
Indian Affairs for the State of California had proposed
for the better projections subsistence and colonization of
the Indian tribes within his superintendency.
The President having given his approval to this plan,
Mr. Beee instructed to proceed at to his
intealency, and select lands suitable for Indian
servatons He also directed, in counexion with this
plan, to examine the Territories of New Mexico and
Utah where their frontiers and those of California lie
contiguous
Mr.. BEALE having in few days collected small par
ty and my duties calling California at this time
gladly avsled myself of his offer to join his expedition
which promised to be replee with interest only from
its traversing large of unexpored country but
also from its being of the routes in
railway to our Pacific possessions.
Daring our journey kept of all that was inter-
esDg descriptive of the face of the country the passes
in the mountains the rivers creeks springs and water
holes, grasses, timber &c. We did pretend to take
scientific survey of this route being without
except small spy glass and pocket compass and hav
ing other Of computing distances than by the
rate which mules travelled, only claim to give
ouch information may be useful all classes being
leineaton Of the face of the country through
which passed. with al its beauties and all its draw
backs that those interested in this route either as
railway wagon road may judge of its practicsbity
for the the other.
Tie selected by Mr. BEALE was not only the most
direct California, but it had the advantage Of enabling
him examine with the least possible loss of time those
places to which il thought that the California In
daus mi h be removed if suitable lands for that pur
pose could be found
The following is Sketch Of the route he selected:
The starting point was WRsTroRT, (aIissouri y thence
70 Fort ATKINSON, Oh the Arkansas.
From there to the mouth Of the River Hucrfano con-
tinung up that stream the Sangre do Cristo Noun
taius where, Of the headwaers the Huerfa
10, there is pass called the Sangre de Cristo Pass
Through this Fort Massachusetts on Utah Greek in
the northern part Of New Mexico. Leaving Fort Massa
chusetts to proceed up the Valley Of San Luis
through the Sawatch and Coochatope Passes in the Sa
watch Mountains down the River UncoDpagre to the
east fork Ct the Colorado Grand River in Utah Terri
tory Thence across the River Avoncara and Upper Co.
dorado Green Riyer the Mormon settlements near
Little Salt Lake, and Las Vegas de Santa Clara From
Little Salt Lake portion Of the Territory Of New
Mexico and the border the Great Salt Lake Basin to
the River Mohay6h from thence to Los Angeles Cali
fornia.
Bestaor', tHissOari,) Ray :, 1S53.-On the 10th April
We lett Washington for St Louis AMI Westport pd Buff
fao tic Lakes, Chicago and Illinois River aud arrived
at St; Louis the "a Of May and kanzas the 9Th,
and Westport the 9th Of May.
Westport is thriving place, situated four miles from
Kanzas, and emigrants from Missouri California make
either this place Independence their starting point At
both of these places all necessary supplies Gun be OBJ
tainc reasonable rates. The merchants and mechan
les here being constantly called supply wants Of
travellers keep hand such articles best adapted
fer overland journey. Kaazas place. is also
thriving and fine river landing
HGg i0-Our train started this afternoon with direc-
tors wait for Council Grove Beale accompanied
it few miles into the prairie and returned after dark
The party composed Of twelve persons: Superin-
tendeut E. +. Beale; @. H. Heap Elisha Riggs, William
Riggs, William Rodgers, Henry Young, ]. Wagner, J.
Cosgrovc, Dick Crown IA Delaware Indian,) Gregorio
Madrid, Jesus Garcia, (Mexicans,) and George Sims,
(colorcd man
As outf: was Of Tie simplest description having
dispensed with whatever not absolutely necessary,
and every arrangement having been made with view to
speed, We had every hope Of making rapid trip.
Nay l1.--Ah our arrangements being comp leted
started from Westport at +. NJ.
A party OF gentlemen and ladies accompanied a few
miles the prairie and drank strrup cup" Of cham
payne 70 the u trip The weather bright
and clear, and after pleasant ride Of twelve miles
prairies enameed with flowers, encamped, $50 p.
NJ, on Indian Greek, small brook overgrown with
bushes.--l2 miles
Nay lG.-We raised camp at 5 A. NJ Thc-mornine was
cloudy George, who cooked for u.s. procured some milk
from nelghborng Cav Indians hut, which, with buffalo
tongue enabled Us to make hearty breakfast. The
country rolling prairie and the road excellent Grass
every where abundant and green Though we saw
many pralre hens aud plOvers too anxious to
overtnke our train 10 stop TO shoot them At $50 A.
arrived at Bull Creek twenty three miles where we
found two log huts, good water and grass, and
timber.
After short rest we travelled to t'Gar6sh Camp I"
twenty-five miles, rolling prairie covered with rich
grass but noticed little timber. Passed many water
holes. The weather COOL with pleasant southery
wind. We found the Santa Fe mail our camp Here
the grass knee high, but wood than half
mile. Days travel 45 miles; 81 miles from Wcstpot
Nay l7-Cloudy morning wind south, with light show
Raised camp Mt 6 A. NJ. Beale rode back six or
miles ia pursuit Of mule that had drawn up her
picket Plus during the night and taken the back track
towards Westport Numerous coyoes prairie wolves
rounded camp making night hideous by their howls
Arrived at Zone hundred and ten" at 10 10 A. NJ and
encampod. The weather cold, wind from Sc, &C
companied with rain Beae returned without the mule.
One hundred and ten gets its name from its being a.
that distance from Fort 5eayenworth. IL is situated in
hollow near small stream asd has good timber. This
hamlet composed Of FIVE six comfortable houses
belonging 70 Shawnces The mostly absent
AMI the women appeared and respectable
The only game were prairie hens and ployers
some Of which shot. We raised camp nj p NJ The
road still led over beautiful rolling country, with gooC
grass and occasional timber and water in pools In twelve
miles we reached Dragon Creek where we encsmped Al
.4P NJ. IL is small brook having attendant grass anc
timber its banks. Some Cav Indians came into our
camp to trade They offered to swap ponies with Us and
rather downheared ST refusing their offer Hav
ing proposed sketch the chiefs portrait he
back his csmp for his rHe appearing more "a
have gun correctly represented in the drawing than
himself -35 miles; 81 miles
Hay lS-We had thunder and rain storm last
night The wind blew strong from the southward the
lightning was incessapt and vivid thunderbolt fell in
the centre Of our camp and exploded with report is