Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17

instantly overwhelmed although it is equally certain that
several Indians and particularly the two chiefs, would
have been shot.
Travelling down Grand river, at sore distance from its
right bank, TO where its flows through canon.
The ground either side Of the river much broken
by ravines Te country barren and level producing
nothing but wild sage and prickly pear After harass-
ing day encamped beautiful brook, called in the
Utah language the CHEZ oUINTIrapid clear, and
cod-with good pasurage its banks; it issues from
the Pahrea moot mountains.25 miles, whole distance
from Westpert, computed from June 23d, 9I6 miles
July l9-We resumed our journey at $50 A. NJ, and,
travelling twelve miles southwest over level and barren
country encamped the AvoSKAREEA Blue river, Utah
tongue) Our encampment was ON high blum overhang-
ing the stream, offering beautiful view OF Its course
The scenery grand beyond description the fantastic
shapes of the mountains to the northward resembed IN
many places nterminabe ranges of fortfcaons, battle
ments and towers and in others immense gothic cathe
dras attempted to sketch it, but 1t is impossible to
convey idea of the beautiful coors thrown the
sky and mountains and reflected in the streams by a
glowing sunset.
We found this river broader and more rapid than Grand
river and, had anticipated, entirely too deep to
ford At the point where encamped it WAS about
two hundred yards in breadth, and evidently il had
work. q make for The the Qualities Of which
about TO test. They made the keel with sap
ling and the ribs with small limbs of willow, which bent
easily to any shape required The hidestwo of which
had been closely sewed ogetherwere softened by soak
ing in the river, spread under the frame, and the
edges perforated with holes, brought up its sides
and tightly braced with thongs The boat finished
by sunset, and, although not light graceful
broh-bark canoe yet it promised TO carry and
packs over safely.
Soon after arriving at the A-yoN-KA-REEA we were
hailed from the opposite shore by Mexican, who in
formed that he and his party we're unable the
river and had been waiting twenty days for the waters
to fall He added that the 10th of June they had left
the Mormon settlements at the Vegas de Santa Clara
and had lost two of their by drowning in the Green
River Fork of the Great Colorado. Mr.. Beale promised
IN assisf i mill mile
July 20.-We commenced crossing at early hour.
The boat answered admirably it very buoyant easily
managed and hard to capsze. Before sunset most of
the and packs had crossed the river and the Della
had succeeded in making the mules swim over by
following in their wake and heading off those that tried
to turn back The labor of getting effects
cupied us longer than we had anticipated it ne
cessary at each trip to tow the boat distance the
right bank In order to make encampmen the left
without drifting below it. The current very rapid,
and found the work of towing the boat up through the
bushes Woodworking the stream very aborous. Some
OF the Mexicans and few OF their packs carried in
safety to the left bank 1t raned heavily during the af
ternoon, and passed wet night under blankets
The camp crowded with Indians, who were anxious
trade but not troublesome As of them passed
the Mi ght with u.s. allowed our animals to with
theirs.
July 21.-The remainder of our packs and cross
ed early in the morning, and the day consumed in
getting the rest of the excans and their luggage to the
opposite sde We also helped them to their
animals These men reported that they had been badly
treated by the Mormons at the Vegas de Santa Clara
and two of their number had been put in Jail. They
warned US to be guard, they 1.-THE Mormons)
had threatened to shoot mprison all Americans pass
ing through their country However, the Mexcans only
impressed with the belief that, having misbehaved,
they had received the chastsement they deserved,
being well known to that the Mormons dsapproved
of the practice of the natives of New Mexico of barerng
firearms and ammunition with the Indians for their
children
We wrote many letters By the Mexcans which they
misedt IN dali IN in
The hides removed from the frame Of the boat
and reserved for future use and having got animals
together resumed our march at p NJ
The Ayonka-reea joins Grand river five six miles
below where we crossed it. We travelled down the last
mentioned stream, being due west and en-
camPed at ii p. NJ. at Camp L LAmoureux," called
after French trapper who trapped here for several
years, until drowned in Grand river. Our road lay
level plain, with loose rotten soi covered with
thick growth Of artemisia cactus and greasewood At
camp both grass and timber abundant but the
mosquitoes allowed rest to either beast plain
extends this side of the river about twelve miles in
BREADTH bounded the northwest by range steep bald
and deeply furrowed mountans--l6 miles ,004 miles
July 22.-We were in the saddle at 1.30 A. NJ, and
in ten miles reached the Rio Salado (Salt Creek and
following down its bed, which only contained water in
holes, encamped on Grand river, where it (Sat
Creek discharges itself This creek is occasionally a
running stream, its water being then drnkable but in
the summer season il rum and its water which
is then found only in hoows is scarcely fit for mules
Wherever the main river Grand riyer can be reached
which is possible at many points, there are good camp
ing places, where grass and timber abundant.
The features OF the country the same the
previous day, an arid plain with scanty vegetation On
right, at distance Of eight miles, was a range Of
steep bluffs and left Grand river shut from our
view by naked hills.
Some Indians visited us at our camp and partook OF
dinner. We obtained from them some beautiful buck
skins which the Utahs prepare very sklfuly They told
us that the river abounded with large fish, and Of
men Immediately manufactured hook with horses
nail The first fish that bit carried away " hook and ne
bob and snker."
We travelled twenty miles in the afternoon, and
camPed again late at night Grand river. To avoid
the mosquitoes some Of slept the top Of lofty
rock and toeraby free from their annoyance but
those who made their beds below were allowed rest.
From the Rio Salado route lay arid hills of sand
and sandstone.-30 miles; ,034 miles.
July 23.-We raised camp at sunrise, travelling over
rough and barren hills the river and at NJ We
rested for the last time its banks The scenery here
was picturesque. On side the stream overhung
with high cliffs Of dazzlDgly white sandstone against
which il drove with violence whilst the opposite
shore were extensive meadows ornamented with
clusters Of trees We all batbed in the river and
found its waters very cold and refreshing The heat was
intense until distant thunder refreshed the air
Resuming our journey we left Grand river, and di-
recting est-southwest a sandy and
parched plain towards Green river stopped for the night
10P NJ place where there was little grass and no
water; but we had brought supply for own and
had watered the mules before starting36 miles 1,070
miles
Jaiy 24-The passed refreshing night perfectly
free from the mosquitoes which had been source Of
rious annoyance since leaving the settlements in
New Mexico. We started at A. NJ, and travelling
thrty-fve miles, encamped Green River Fork Of the
Great Colorado at l p NJ.
The country traversed stony and broken by
dry water On every side but principally the
north and northeast there extended ranges Of rugged
a a..