Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10


wealthy landowners residing in Taos and but few own
the soil they cultivate They enjoy the blessing denied
their neighbors, of being entirely exempt from the an
noyance of mosquitoes for those exposed constantly
this EVIL can alone form conception Of the misery oc-
casions--2O miles; POI miles.
Juy SO secure early start and to preyentour
animals from trespassing upon the cultivated fields
peng enclosed, man was engaged to watch them Hist
pasture during the night but my horse having been
allowed to escape it not until after sunrise that
could procure another ride Of twenty two miles brought
US to the Little Colorado Red river road taking us
across three small streams Las Ladilas) ON the br-
ders OF which extensive sheep ranches The Little
formed by the union of abundant
which issue from deep caons in lofty abruptly rising
mountains The valley of the Little Colorado is abok
three miles in length by in BREADTH and the Little
Colorado river, having passed it. flows through deep
channel on the plain and unites t~rvnters to the Del
Norte The plain presents most bssusfu view, being
dbundanty cultivated by Of acequas (canals y
every of it is under cultivation The village of the
Little Colorado consists of hundred adobe houses
built to form quadrangle with their doors and windows
presenting upon the square inside
Mr.. Charles Oterbies Mssourian, long domiciated
In New Mexico invited to his house and procured
fresh horse the had ridden from the Cortila
distance Of twenty miles in two hours and half
had broken down. left Little Colorado at noon, and,
travelling twelve miles mountain q rough
and thorney road, reached the Rio Hondo deep creek
which called from its channel being sunk in many
places far below the level of the plain for the
itself is neither deep broad. here engaged young
American Thomas Oterves to go with to California
he having reputation almost equal to Kit Carsons for
bravery, dexterty with his rife, and skill in mountain
life. also purchased mule to replace my unshod and
sorefooted horse and rode to Taos nine miles beyond
where arrived at 8 P. NJ, the road leading level
plain.
The Sonora Saint Vraa received me Hospitality Mr.
Saint Vrain for whom had letter, being absent from
Taos, Immediately called Mr.. Leroux, who had
few days previous returned from Fort Atkinson in i'm
proved health. Making known to him the accident
had met with at Grand River and stating wants.
obtained.
Raw hides procured and sewed together be used
as boats for crossing rivers. Corn parched to
make pnol parched and pounded cornmeal sweeten
ed and coffee roasted, SC.
San Fernando de Taos presents poor appearance its
low earth colored houses scattered irreguarly about
look dngy and squald though within many of them
comfortable; and they all adapted to the climate
To the ssuthward and eastward high and welltim
bered mountains. The town is surrounded with unn-
closed fields very fertile when irrigated and the Taos
wheat, originally obtained from the Moh hah-ve Indians
who obtained it from the California missions, has obtain
ed wide reputation In the vicinity Of San f. de Taos
several hamlets-the Pueblo de Taos inhabited by
the Taos Indians, quiet and inofensive race, and
good field laborers La Placetd de Taos E Rancho, E
Ranchtto sc. Six miles to the southwest is United
States dragon camp from which the troops absent
they having marched to Abseguen in consequence of
troubles with he Napgo Indians.-43 miles 333 miles.
Return from Taos 10 the EaseFork Of the Great Colorado
and De measure the distances back from Taos.
July 11.-Having concluded my purchases, which de-
ayed longer than had been expected flor every thing
had to be made prepared for use) sent off late
the 8th wagon containing the supplies and two
with the mules, to meet the Cuebra where would
oyertake them Starting the next day passed them al
Little Colorado the 10th, and arrived at tho culebra
day ahead Of my party From the time of arrival in
Taos Peg Leg had been surrounded by his friends and
boon companions relating to his late exploits at
Grand River His frequent libaons to Bacchus in wretch
ed Taos brandy had rendered him incapable of keeping
his seat horseback. left him practcng the Apache
war-whoop in the square of Taos and did not see him
again until the wagon and men had arrived at the Cue
bra, and was prepared to depart He then made his
appearance looking very Sick unhappy, and repentant
The men had hired Thomas Otterby Jose CALI
ego, old mountaneer who had been California with
Colonel Fremont and was well recommended as guide
and " 6uhide boat builder" and Juan Cordoya Mexi-
can drrierO, (mueteer.) We numbered in all FIVE.
Messrs. Riggs Rogers with their party remained at
Taos intending pursue their journey California
Fort Laramie and Great Salt Lake.
We saddled up shortly before sunset and encamped
nine miles below the Cuebra to get packs in order
for early hour in the The first day with
train Of pack mules is always troublesome The
animals new, the men have not learned their dspos
tons and qualities the harness does not t and numerous
changes necessary which occasion delay. My days
ride ~ miles back from Taos.
July 12-Raised camp at ye and travelled until noon
when encamped the slough of the Del Norte where
we had already been three times We fortunately had
filed leather bottles at the Trincbera for
found the water here no longer drnkable The was
intensely hot and old friends the mosquitoes did
fail to find out We stopped for the night the Del
in great numbers.-51 miles; 1913 miles.
July 13.-Although was often up during the night
looking after the mules and had them all picketed in
thick grass three of them succeeded in drawing their
picket pins and went off in the direction Of Fort Massa
chusetts After chase Of miles they brought
back, and started at 80 AN We encamped on the
Gara where had only intended to rest the animals for
couple of hours but commenced raining, and fear
ing the packs might get damaged concluded to pass
the here and housed every thing under the
party Of Mexican Ciboeros, buffalo hunters, going
hunt buffalo the Upper Arkansas, encamped
40 miles, days travel 172 miles from Taos.
July l4-We kept guard during the night, as we saw
much fresh sign Of Indians and animals incln
ed to stray. 1t raned most Of the night Raised camp
at SUNRISE and, without stopping travelled through
the Carnero Pass to Saltwater valley, which
camped before sunset-59 miles; 231 miles.
July l5-We travelled steadily all day with the excep
ton Of short rest at noon, and encamped night
small rill running into the JarOsO, Cwilow Greek )58
miles; 284 miles
Jsiy 16-We started at dawn, crossed the Rio de Ia
Laguna without unpackng its waters had fallen and
at PM we met Harry Young, whom Beae had sent to
guide to his camp the Savoya Creek to which he
had moved during my absence We found Beale and his
small party all well and anxously expecting us Their
some Of whomI recognised the had met near
Sah-W the I'd Of July.
Soon after got into camp Beale dispatched Wagner
and Gaego to Grand River with the bull-hides direct
ing them make boat should they fail in finding ford
and little later encamped the Nawaquastcb so
to make early the and reach Grand
River before nights miles 382 miles from Taos
hr. Bcalc's Separate Journal during my Voyage
10 Taos and back.
par Mr.. BrALE his journal on the day that
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