Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
Gsneral SnteIligente.


officers Of the exploring party under Gov Stevens,
will be read with interest
PORTLAND, OREGON TERRIToRY,
October 49, 1853.
In order 10 examine as much country as practi-
cable, Major Stevens and myself have not travelled
a foot Of the way together. He explored, with his
parties 10 the north of the Missouri to the south,
extending my examinations two hundred miles
into the interior. We met at the Backfoot fort,
one hundred miles from the Rocky mountains, by
agreement and spent four days together, talking
over matters connected with the expedition. Both
Of our routes entirely practicable for Railroad
and found no difficulty whatever in crossing the
main chain of the Rocky mountains. Wagons can
pass with few weeks labor, and the least diff
fculty in the way of railroad. There is a river
bottom-"De arbon" river-on the east, with val
ley sufficiently wide, extending to the dividing
ridge, which is Of no great elevation and only oc-
cupies few hours in crossing; and one on the
western slope, the Black Foot fork of the Bitter
Root river, with valley still wider and better, ex-
tending to prairie land beyond the mountains.
The whole crossing, from prairie 70 prairie, oc-
cupies from five TO seven days. Il is travelled by
the Indians in three or four. The Bitter Root
mountains are not practicable for railroad, or
any other kind of road: but they can be wholly
avoided by passing from the outlet of the Black
Fort trail little north, and following the usual
route Of the Hudson's Bay Company in their ex-
cursions TO that region. This route is wholly in
the territory of the United States. Major Stevens
will thoroughly explore the Bitter Root range, and
may find better pass than crossed through in
1851, and during my late trip. The last trail is
called the "grandn trail Of the Nezperces Indians
and is over series of mountains--one route one
hundred and thirty miles, very steep aud rocky;
the other two hundred and ten miles, the noun
tains almost equally elevated, but not SO rocky,
more numerous, however. Both of these routes
are out ofthe question.
MY own impression has always been, and still is,
that the shores of the Columbia river afford the
most practicable route for railroad through the
Cascade mountains. The route passes north of
the Blue mountain range The whole route is en-
tirely practicable, as doubt will be fully demon
strated by MAJOR Stevens The MAJOR and his
party have all enjoyed good health, and getting
on finely. The Major himself is an energetic
man, and has accomplished wonders for one sea-
son, but unavoidably al very great expense.
Major Stephens contempates leaving por
ton of the stores at Fort Owen, and small party
under Lieutenant Mullin, TO operate during the
winter. 1.-THE passage ofthe wagons cause much
delay, Major Stevens will hurry on to Washington
Territory, leaving the train in charge Of some
suitable officer. The party isno doubt, all over by
this time, and Major s. may be expected in about
ten days or two weeks,
much beyond my expectations, almost the whole
way through a country NOT previously explored.
JOHN EVANS
Gigantic Plan of Artesian Wells.-A gen
tleman living southwest Of San Antonio, with
large landed interest, is now on his way TO Ala
bama, to secure machinery and workmen for the
boring of Artesian wells. The seasons between
the Nueces and Rio Grande are too precarious for
the cultivation of the SOIL save by irrigation.
There is no finer grazing country than the section
of which speak. The musquit is luxurious at
all seasons of the year. A severe drought bears
hard upon cattle, and forces the grazier to drive
his herds TO great distance for water. An Ar
tesian well in the region referred to- aninformed
will irrigate five hundred acres Of land, and fur-
nish any number of animals with drinking SUBJ
sistence. They charge in Alabama one dollar the
foot Say il will cost two in Texas, and the des-
cent FIVE hundred feet the disbursement Of one
thousand dollars enriches the grazer, and the
herdsmnn will pay for his well, by the produce Of
his farm in single year.
Winter Arrangements.-Thc Connecticut
river is closed with ice, and navigation suspended
The splendid steamer "Granite State" Captain
King, will run between this city and New York
during the winter, in connexion with the Travel
Ter, Captain Lewis-making regular daily line.
Better boats, or more capable and gentlemanly
officers, it will be difficult 10 find and whoever
embarks with them stands good chance Of hav-
ing pleasant time Of il. The Granite Stale is
27O feet in length, and 35 feet beam; has an en-
CINE Of GOO horse power, 40 state rooms, besides
large and well ventilated cabin, is completely
equipped with hose and water apparatus, against
FIRE d has Eve large la boats and life preservers
for 300 passengers, in case Of accident
nv III Register.
Murder of Wife.--An awful tragedy oc-
Cured in Syracuse on the morning OF the lIh.
A man named William G. Carson. a shoemaker by
trade, killed his wife, by stabbing hei 70 the heart
with butchers knife. Two Of the wounds,
either of which would have produced death, were
inflicted with the knife, one over the right eye,
and the other in the right breast. Jealousy was
the cause Of the deplorable event. The woman
and been off on the canal with another man.
Burning Fluid Explosion Mary Ann Bat
tersley, residing at lit Sth street, New York, died
on the nth from the effects of burns received on
the 18th inst. She was sitting on sofa, with her
husband and infant, when lamp containing
burning fluid, in consequence of one OF the tubes
being out of order, exploded, and the contents
spread over her dress, setting il on fire, and caus
ing burns which proved fatal.
The Railroad War; at Erie.-ERIE, Dec
21.-The rioters are out in full force, nearly three
hundred being now engaged in tearing up the track
of the Western Line. The rowdies intend to stop
the travel from here to the Ohio State line The
bells have been ringing and cannon firing for two
hours. A mob Of ruffians have gone to Fairhaven,
to incte the people there to riot.
Another despach says: :" A large body Of men.
led by the mayor and high constable are now en-
gagged in removing the track ofthe Western Line,
at the street crossings, no injunction having been
served, so far as the Western Line is concerned.
The citizens Of Farview are about TO take up the
track in that village"
The Outrage on the American Consul at
Tumtez.-Mr. Fayette NJ Ringgold has written
to the Washington Union, confirming the account
published by Captain Haughton, OF the ship Mem
non, Of an outrage on Mr.. Oaklord, the United
States consul at Tumtez, by the governor Of that
place with this difference, however. that Captain.
Haughton spoke Of il as being committedby "Gov-
ernor Portalauza,n whereas the governor is Senior
Don Antonio Benewidez, and Senior Portalauza is
represented as assisting the consul.
Sentence of Countcrfeiters.- learn from
the Springfield Republican that, on Saturday,
Charles and Emily Thomas were sentenced upon
the indictment for having counterfeit money in
their possession the former TO the State prison for
five years, and the latter 10 the house Of correc-
ton for one year. The woman seemed much
affected, and shed tears profusey. The district
attorney stated that the mans real name was
Thomas Daniels, and that he left the State prison
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