The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-19
James II. Quinn.

RAILROAD MEETING IN TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
At large an enthusiastic meeting of the either
OF the county of Taos and territory of New Meic,I
held at the court house in the town of Don FernaI
Cez on the LIST of Jme 1853
On motion OF Mr.. Peter Joseph, Ceran st. Vrar|
Esq, was called to the chair, and Ezra N. De Pc
appointed Secretary.
James H. Quinn ESQ.,, being called upon, az
dressed the meeting on the subject of the great Ps
cific Railroad 1t was orr duty Che said) to spea
ont on this subject We live in the vicinity Of tn
best route from the Mississippi valley to the valley
the Pacific. Notwithstanding the assertion in TIL
Senate of The United Sates that nothing is known Of
the country between the territory of New MexicI
and California, this meeting could assure them thai
Thousands of our citizens know the route from Los AMI
gees to Abequin md also more northern and direct
route from the head OF the Arkansas to the Vegas d.
Santa Clara This route had been unfortunately TIL
scene of misfortune which could in way subtract
from it as practicable route. That happened in tn
most severe winter hat we had seen for years, and
owing to circumstances it was impossible to foresee|
We all knew the indefatigable perseverance and
energy of the leader Of that ated expedition, and
we can attribute no blame to him; but we must adj
mire him for his qualities as an explorer They ard
unparalleled in the history of the continent. OuI
fellw citizen, Richings L. Wootten, has just rel
turned from expedition to California, on the conI
tnuation of the route that Fremont was fOll0wing|
He decl-re that the is most excellent, and tH@
only difficulty wagon train would have in goine
over this route is the timber. There is abundance
Of water and the finest timber In orr territory
We all knew how all our old mountaineers desire
to settle in that section Of country. They loved fat
meat, and there they always had it. He venI
tured to say-eDd he had the authority of Lerouxj
Carson, the chairman OF thu meeting, and many
others around him. who knew that c0untry-tha(
it was the Dest grazing country on this part OF Ou1
continent Make road up the Arkansas, thence I'd
the junction OF the two branches OF Grand river thence
to the Vegas Of Santa Clara and to San Francisco
and we could furnish them on the Pacific the finest
beef and mutton at four cents per pound. He rel
minded the chairman Of the meeting of what he wQd
well aware Of that IN lS40 Robid0ux left the Arkan|
sas with wagons Tor California, and arrived at tho
COochatore and there lett his wagons, account Of
the difficulty OF cutting out the timber This timber
would be great advantage to the railroad, Hd
hoped We would see Fremont here a gain to continue
his exploration, which would immortaliZe him. He
wished a committee to be appointed by the chair oil
persons of the ting present. who had been I'd
Calf rnia and who, like Leroux, had trapped all
bese streams. He therefore moved that commit
tee Of ten be appointed to draft resolutions express
sive Of the sense OF the meeting.
On which motion the Chair appointed Messrs Luz
Glen B. Maxwell, Rlchings l. Wootten, Chas. Beau
bien, Francis Turcot, Berra Leroux, Michoux Du-
vail. Manuel Lefcbre, Charles Otervis Charles Will
Jams, and Theodore MigHault said committee, who,
after retiring, reported the following preamble and
resolutions, which were adopted =
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has
made an appropriation for the exploration Of the
most direct aud practicable route for railroad ia
the Pacific ocean from the Mississippi river; and aa
ject, aud whereas . majority Of your committee have
passed the entire intervening country, they deem it
but justice to their country and the public to express
their sentiments on the subject. Therefore,
Resolved, That this meeting well assured, from
their own experience, and from the statements OF
Wootten, LerCux, Maxwell, Hatcher Carson, and
hundreds OF Others who have passed the route
many of them within the last year-that the most
direct and practicable route from any point on the
Arkansas would be to follow up SAID river to the
mouth OF the Hreriano, up said stream to its source
thence up the Wet Mountain valley through valley
between the White Mountain and the Sand Hills to
the Chowatch ard the CUo-cha-tope, down it Il
the east fork Of Grand river thence due west to the
other fork thence TO Green river, and by the Little
Salt Lake to the Vegas of Santa Clara from which
the route has been surveyed to California.
Resolved, That though we have heard o great deal
OF the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, we
are well assured from experience that California can
be reached by this route without crossing any eeva
ton deserving Of the lame Of mountain.
Resolved, That we consider this much the most
practicable route, not having the immense canons To
cross that are on the more southern ones.
On motion OF Mr.. John q. Lentwick. resolved, That
the proceedings OF this meeting be sent to the Santa
Fe haaate for publication.
On motion Of Mr. Charles Otervis, it was resolved
Ihht cory Of the proceedings of this meeting be
sent by the Secretaryto the Hon. I. II. Benton.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned.
CEKAN ST. VKAIN, President.
Ora. N. DEPEw, Secretary.