Washington sentinel., 1853-12-08

The Central Route Additional Testimony.
We copy from the Missouri Democrat Of the
2Sth, the following letter which, besides its gen
eral bearing on the great question Of the most
eligible route for the railroad, is interesting TO
those who may design emigrating 10 the regions
west of the mountains
DoN FERNANDEZ DE TAOS, NEW MExIco,
October %, 1853
Editors Missouyi Democrat;
Having passed several years in the mountains
and in this country, and having some knowledge
OF the same, propose giving through your valua-
BILE columns 10 the emigrants some information as
regards the central route 10 California. During
the last year, | have taken drove of sheep from
| this place 10 California over the route Col. Free
mont intended 10 have gone in the winter of 40,
AZ, at the time of his disaster. ! made the trip
through TO California in ninety days, arriving there
with my sheep in good order having passed
through some Of the finest country ever saw,
had good camps and plenty of wood, water and
grass every night during the whole trip. This
route is at least four hundred and fifty miles
nearer than the route by Fort Laramie and South
Pass. at
recommend TO emigrants, by all means, to take
this route in preference to any other. Start from
Kansas or any other town on the western frontier
of Missouri, come up the north side OF the Ar
kansas river 10 the mouth OF the Huerfano river,
about forty-ive miles above Bents' fort, up the
Huerfano river 10 Roubidoux pass, or the pass
Ell Sangre de Christie, either of them practicable
for wagons, the ascent and descent being narrow
valleys made by small mountain streams, and SO
gradual as TO offer no distractions to wagons.
Both these passes lead into the valley OF San
Louis, one Of the finest valleys in the world fol-
low up the valley to the Coochatope pass, in the
Grand river mountain; down the Coochatope
river, to the valleys Of Grand and Green river,
until you strike the Great Spanish trail then fol-
low the trail to the Little Salt Lakeland to the st.
Clara springs; at both of these places there are
fourishing towns built by the Mormons, where
emigrants can procure such things as they want
at fair prices was offered -four at $2 80 per one
hundred pounds, and groceries at fair prices
From ST. Clara springs to San Francisco, by
Walkers Pass, there is good wagon road and
settlements all the way Captain Gnnnison with
his party left the pass FL Sangre de Christie about
the 10th August, and made the journey through to
Green river in twenty-four days, with twenty
wagons. A few days behind Captain Gunnison
was party Of emigrants, who had made up their
minds TO pass the winter at Salt Lake. in conse-
quence Of being late in the season; after being
informed of this route they determined TO try the
road. The party was conducted by Capt McClell-
han, of Virginia. With the party was Col. Ross
and his brother, from Iowa, with their families.
with several other gentlemen. They had two
| thousand sheep and from three to four hundred
head Of cattle. Mr.. Leroux, the guide OF Captain
Gunnison, met the emigrants on his return TO this
place, on Grand river, and reports that they were
very much pleased with the route, their stock
being in excellent condition. Capt. McClelihan,
who has been several times to California with
stock by the South Pass route says there is no
comparison between the routes; that he would
sooner pass five times from the Arkansas to Grand
river, than pass through the black hills on the La
ramie roule once.
There is now being commenced settlement on
the Arkansas river, al the mouth Of the Huerfano,
at which place emigrants can also procure such
necessaries as they may be in want Of also as TO
the information as toahe route, or guides II they
wish. There is also good ferry at the mouth Of
the Huerfano, and ferries will also be established
during the coming summer on Grand and Green
rivers. There is also another great advantage
that this route has over more northern one, as
emigrants can leave Missouri as late as the lst
August, and be in no danger Of being stopped by
snow. After reaching the Great Spanish trail, in
the valley of Green river, from thence to California
there is never any snow, and the months Of Octo-
ber and November are more pleasant 10 travellers,
and better for stock, than the summer months
enclose with this letter, list Of some Of the
streams and distances from the mouth OF the HUI
erfano TO the Santa Clara springs. After passing
the mountains into the valley Of San Louis, TO the
Santa Clara springs, there is an innumerable
quantity of small mountain streams that have no
names. have only mentioned such as know
the names Of
| Cross the Arkansas river atethe mouth of