The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-04-22
PARAwAN, Iron County.


PARAwAN, Iron County,
Utah Territory, Feb. 9, 1854.
My DEAR i have had the good for
tune to meet here our friend, Mr.. Babbtt,
the Secretary of the Territory, who is on his
way to Washington, in charge of The mail
and other interesting dispatches, the import
ance of which is urging him forward with
extreme .rapidity. He passes directly on
this morning, and l have barely a few mo-
ments to give you intelligence of our safe
arrival and Of our general good health and
reasonable success in the object of our expe-
dition.
This winter has happened to be one of ex-
treme and unusual cold. Here, the citizens
inform me, it has been altogether the seve-
rest since the settlement of this valley.
Consequently, so far as the SHOWS are con-
cerned, the main condition of our explora-
ton has been fulfilled. We entered the
mountain regions on the Huerfano River on
the Sd of December, and issued from it here
on the 9TH of this month, arriving here yes
terday afternoon. We went through the
Coochatope Pass on the 18th December,
with four inches-not feet, take notice, but
inches-of snow on the level among the
pines and in the shade on the summit of the
Pass. This decides what you consider the
great question, and fultIls the leading condi-
tion of my explorations; and therefore 60
no further into details in this letter.
| congratulate you on this verifcation Of
your judgment, and the good prospect it
holds out of final success in carrying the
road By this CENTRAL line. Nature has been
5ountiful to this region in accumulating
here, within few miles of where am wri-
ting, vast deposits of iron and coal, and
timber, all of the most excellent quality !;
and great and powerful interior State will
spring up Immediately in the steps of the
Congressional action which should decide to
carry the road through this region. In ma
King my expedition to this point, save
nearly parallel of latitude, shortening the
usual distance from Green River to this point
by over hundred miles. In crossing to the
Sierra Nevada, shall go direct by an unex-
plored route, aiming to strike directly the
TETON Passes, at the head of the San Joaquin
Valley, through which, in 1880, drove from
Two to three thousand head of cattle that
delivered to the Indian commissioners.
shall make what speed possibly can-going
light, and abandoning the more elaborated
survey of my previous line, to gain speed.
Until within about hundred miles of
this place, we had daguerreotyped the coun-
try over which we passed, but were forced
10 abandon all our heavy baggage to save
the men, and shall not stop to send back
for it. The Delawares all came in sound,
out the whites of my party were all exhaus-
tcd and broken up, and more or less frost
bitten. lost one, Mr.. Fuller, of st. Louis,
Missouri, who died on entering this valley.
Me died like man, on horseback, in his
saddle, and will be buried like soldier, on
tnh spot where he fell.
hope soon to see you in Washington.
Mr, tBabbitt expects to see you before the
end of March. Among other documents
which he carries with him are the maps and
report Of Capt, Gunnison's party.
soa Sincerely and alfectionately,
JOHN G. FREMONT.
Col. BENTON, Washington.
p S.-This is the Little Salt Lake settle
neht. and was commented three years
since, Population now four hundred, and
one death by sickness since the settlement
was made. We have been most Hospitality
received Mr.. Babbtt has been particular
~ kind and haSt no ndered mo very ga Ina hIp