Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-11-25
DISCOVERY.

The Star Of last evening contains the following
official corresp 'ndehce explanatory Of d recent dis
covcty in our western territory which has bcon
before alluded to in the newspapers:
0FFieL SUPERINTENDENT 1NpIAS Abrams,
FoRr SMITH, ARK. Oct. 20, 1854.
Siz: I have tie honor to bring to your notice a
recent discovery of a valuable substitute for gum
arabic, discovered BY DR.. G.. @. %Schumard, Physi-
clan and Geologist to the Lake Expedition, COM
nIanded by Capt. Marcy, U. S. A., to the regions
of tie Big Wachita and Brasos rivers, in the north
of Texas.
The enclosed specimens, done up in a tin box 3
or fcrr o. Of gum m%utqultr, being for sample, are
sent for your inspection and use. The remarkable
similarity of taste, in appearance and mucilaginous
qualities of this gum to that of gum arabic induc-
ed DR.. SchumnrG to make some experiments, the
result of which proving satisfactory, he caused
some 20 lbs. to be gathered, and was brought homc
ON his return some days past.
Upon diluting ore ounce of this gum in two
ounces Of cold water, | had a fine glutinous paste.
which | have used in sealing envelopes and other
packages. ] have also caused it to be mixed with
starch in the application to linen, and in both in,
stances have no hesitation in saying that 1t is equal
to the article ,or which it is soon to become the
popular substitute. In this first form the Indian
Department, you will perceive, is permitted thu
privilege of its first official use. 1t will be seer
that its adhesive or glutinous qualities cannot bt
cxcclled, as | have sealed up the box with it, anc
will use it on the outward envelope. Should this
gum provo ms valuable in the form of mucilagin
Gus preparations for the sick as in the two cases
to which l have subjected it, and should it com
mand one-hulf the present prices paid for gun
arabic, the gathering it would afford employment
for and support of thousands of the wild Indians
on the plains, and with encouragement it will be
come n valuable article of traffic on the Western
frontier.
The 1iTarnpao IN .boAo opI ,,1or &c The yoriops
specimens will be accounted for in Or. S%chumard':
note, herewith enclosed, and to which | beg leave
to refer you for further particulars.
Very respectfully your ob't scrv't,
TllOS. S. DREW, Supt, &c.
Hon. GEORGE W. MANYrENNY,
Commissioner Of lpdian Affairs.
FoRr SMITH, October Is, 1854,
Sir: / cheerfully comply with your request to
furnish, for the use of the Indian Department, q
short description Of the gum m%ezquite, discovered
during our recent expedition to the head waters Of
the Big Wachita uId Brasos rivers.
This gum, for which | propose the name of gum
mezquite, is believed to occur in incxhaustiblc
quantities, and will no doubt prove a valuable
source of revenue to the State of Texas, New Mex
leo, and the adjacent Indian territory, besides af
Fording employment to the different Indian tribes
now rowing upon the claims, many of whom woulC
no doubt be glad to gather and deliver it to thu
different frontier posts for n very small compensa
ton.
The mez1uite tree from which this gum is oh
tanned is by far tEe most abundant tree CT thu
plains, covering thousands Of miles of the surface
and always fuurishing most luxuriantly in elevat
ed and dry regions. The gum exudes spontane
ously in q semi-huid state from the bark of tn,
; trunk and branches, and soon hardens by exposur,
to the atmosphere, forming more or less rounded
and variously-colorcd masses, weighing each from
IL few grains to ceyeral ounces. These soon bleacl
and whiten upon exposure to the sun, finally be
coming nearly colorless, semi-transpnrent, and OF
ten filled with minute fssureS. Specimens collect
ed from the trunks OF the trees were general
found to be less pure and more highly co!ored thai
when obtained from the branches.
The gum may be collected during the months G
July, August, and September; but the most favor
able period for that purpose is in the latter pr TT c
August, when it may be obtained in the creates
abundance and with but little trouble. The quar-
tity yielded by each tree | found to vary from n
ounce to three pounds; but incisions in the bar
not only greatly facilitated its exudation, but cause
the tree 10 yield a much greater amount. As it i
) a good hand would be able to collect from ten t
twenty pounds in a day. Were incisions resorte'
! have thus presented n few Of the leading fact
connected with this interesting discovery. Should
you desire still further information upon the sub
ject it will give me much pleasure to furnish it.
am, with much respect, your ob't serv't.
GEO. G. SIIUMARD.
To Hon. THos. S. DRRw.