Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-08

veys performed was:
By Lieut.. A. w. Whippls-
Indanola to Ell Paso and the Initial Point $50 mls
d The southern boundary Of New Mexico, con-
= Meeting the Rio Grsnds with the Gila.......2oo
4 The river ella to the ColorSd
4 1900
By LisHt. Col. T. D. Graham
On she Rio Grards, near FL Paso.,,te
By Major w. IT. Emory
On the Rio Grande 1000
2,5os ("
Astronomical and magnetic observations were made,
and an accurnte meteorological register was through
eus the ne OF march The position In latitude and long
tae OF many pieces in Northern Mexico, besides those
along the Immediate route was first accurately dcssnn-
and the physical geography Of the country reversed
exhibited in an extensive series Of sketches and draw
fngs made most Of hem) by the Commissioner hiEBeiE
Muea accomplished in the aepartnrnt of zoology
large selection Of fishes made in the waters Of he
Rio Grade and in the tributaries Of the ella and tho
streams the south Of it, many of which have proved
science. The svparous fishes found IN the Bayt
of San Diego supposed to be the first that have 1T
racted the astenton sf scientific men. considerable
number Of reptiles wers collected contsining hun
dred undescr5ed speciss Besides these, number Of
new insects Of the orders ogtboptera and coeopya were
brought home Some interesting specimens were also
obtained of brdra and Of the smaller maHinalia. Large
collections in botany made by several gentlemen
comprising many unknown genera and SPECIES. The
greater portion Of the geologic collection uncrtu
natey lost through e peshing Of the animals and the
consequent abandonment of the wagons sll goodly
choice specimens of gold and silver ores.
In ethnology the collection almost exclusively made
by the Commissioner himself Tt consists, In the first
place. of yocabuares each embracing two hundred words
the same as used by Messrs Gallsn and Hale in up
wards of twenty Indian languages, Many of these had
never been taken down before, and few in couete
manner Further to illustrate the paculiartesS,f the
aboriginal tribes he obtained characteristic ports OF
many individuals seen, both male snd female with
sketches exhibiting their and customs art
&c.
Mr. Bartlett also devoted special attesson as required
by his Instructions to the adaptation of the countries
versed for railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
The descriptions of the character and appearance Of the
country with It's streams mountains. and deserts; tie
nature OF the roads, the facility difficulty of procuring
food or water, &c., which given throughout the whole
route must be Of great value to all who study this impor
tan subject He does not however, leave the reader to
collect the facts and draw his unaded conclusions
from the narrative but presents with separate
moir containing the results of his observations
ings " From these brief remarks he says, in conclu
sion t will be that the advantages Of the southern
route for railway are open and remarkably level
country from the Mississippi to the Sierra Nevada Of
California; summit level thousand feet less than
that of the other routes ESQ far knoyn entire free
dom from SHOWS and convenience in obtaining supplies
The disadvantages deficiency Of timber, water,
and food for animals and the want Of tillable lands
for settlements and FARMS
Another subject to which Mr. Bartlett has devoted
separate paper showing that nothing Of interest TO the
has escaped his attention is the introduction
Of cames Of transportation the prairies
and deserts Of the interior To this matter the attention
Of the public and of Congress has been drawn for several
past by articles in newspapers and magazines and
oy the formation of ointstock company to carry out
The design Mr. Bartlett combines with the results Of bis
OWN inquiries those of G. r. Gddon, ESQ., the prime
mover in the affair; and the reader can hardly fail Of
coming to the conclusion that the experiment is eminent
worthy of being tried.
Mr. Barett's is quiet and even narrative STYLE with
attempt at ambitious ornament, what is termed
fine writing The striking character Of the countries
raversed the pecuartes of the nations and tribes that
nhabt them and the variety of incidents to be narrated
endered it to attempt mparng to the WORK
Fictitious interest by such expedients Yet that the
uhor is by lacking in talent for vigorous de-
cripton when the occasion naturally calls for it is evil
lent for example, from his delneaon Of the scene OF the
rial Of Carkes murderers the conference with the Apache
hie touching the from their people OF two Mex
boys the restoration Of the unfortunate captive girl
Gonzales to her family the attack by Indians on his
arty near the Rio GARNER. &c.
One great attraction Of the book consists in its profuse
Illustrations, there being less than ninety four finely
xecuted woodcuts and sixteen photographic engravings'
characteristic points Of scenery, churches and mis-
IONS ruins Indians with their habitatons implements
nd costumes inscribed rocks Sc. The printing is beau
fully executed and the paper of smooth surface and
dior pleasant to the eye though of spongy unsubstan
lal texture, made to look pretty and-to sell.
carefully prepared index-a necessary piece of
rudgery to which authors too often unwilling to sub
nit-adds much the facility of consulting the work for
urposes Of study and information on special topics
Mr. Bartlett that it has been his object through
ut the work to confne himself strictly to what ndcat
by the title, viz: Personal Narrative Of Expora-
ions and Incidents" Hence he has omitted every thing
technical nature which is reserved for the full
ort of the dongs of the Commission in all their Details
nd has entered further into disputed ponts-as for
Instance, that concerning the Initial Point the Rio
irandethan is necessary to render the matter ntegi
e To the various gentlemen engaged in the Commits
ion, the astronomers surveyors, collectors artists, OFF,
ers of the army he evidently takes pleasure in giving
u credit for all they accomplished To the objections
hat have been urged in certain quarters to the pubca
ion private account Of the present Narrative the
oncudng passage of the Preface furnishes conclusive
eply:
The question has been repeatedly asked and may be ask
again. why the of the dongs Of the Commission
mbraccd in this Narrative published by the Govern
nent alike with other reports Of explorations made by its
Ulcers In reply have to state that my return home,
er being superseded COMMISSIONER DESTROYS to
ubm report to tie Secretary of the Interior for publ
alton under his direction To select this resolution
ered in the Senate by of distinguished members,
ien HoUsTos of Texas who takes lively interest in the
promotion of science and particularly in the investigation Of
he unexporod regions of country to authorize
and publish full report of the labors Of the Commission
While under my charge including the Natural History, in
which much had been accomplished The efforts Of the
earned Senator however, unsuccessful and the Tesou
ion was laid the table. TIL decision, Of lively
cherish the hope that Congress will yet decide place the
whole results Of the Commission before the public in sua
,e manner"
COLLISION AT SEA.
The ships Olympus and Trade Wind came into colli-