Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-08


Star Office, and there behold with their own
eyes the genuine gum arabic, which, as these
letters, inform u.s. is to be had on our western
Plains, in inexhaustible quantities, for the
mere trouble of gathering it. The mezquite
tree from which it is gathered in our West, is
of the acacia family, of which the tree from
which it is gathered in Arabia is a member
The following are the letters in question
OFFICE SUP'r INDIAN AFFAIRS,
FORT SMITH, ARK, Oct. 20, 1854. {
SIR Il have the honor to bring to your
notice recent discovery of valuable substi-
tute for gum arabic, discovered by DR.. q. G.
Shumsrd, Physician and Geologist to the Lake
expedition. commanded by Capt. Marcy, U.
s. A., to the regions Of the source of the Big
Wachita and Brazos Rivers, in the north of
Texas.
The enclosed specimens done up in a tin box
u or OF of gum musquite being for sam
pie, and sent for your inspection and use
The remarkable similarity Of taste, appear.
ance and mucilaginous quantities of this gum
to that OF gum arabic, induced DR. ShuWsrd
to make some experiments, the result of winch
proving satisfactory, he caused some 20 lbs
to be gathered, and was brought homo on his
return Some ten days past.
Upon dilating one ounce of this gum in two
ounces of cold water had fine glutinous
paste, which l 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 instances have no hesita-
ton in saying that it is equal to the article of
which it must soon become popular substi-
tute. In this first form the Indian Depart
ment, You will perceive, is permitted the priv
Ilege OF its first official use. It will be seen
tina its adhesion or glutinous qualitis7 cannot
be excelleu. as have sealed up the box with
it and will use .te1 tho outward envelope.
Should this gum prove a. valuable in form of
mucilaginous preparations for tne SICK, as IN
the two cases to which have subjected 1t,
and should it command one-half the present
prices paid for gum arabic. the gathering it
would afford employment for, and support of
thousands of the will Indians on the plains,
and with encouragement it will become q
valuable article Of traffic on the western from,
tier.
The difference in shade and color of the
various specimens will be ted for in
Dr. Shumard's note herewith enclosed, and to
which beg leave to refer you for further par
ticulars
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Isos. s drew, Supt, DC.
Hon. George w. Manypenny,
Commissioner Indian Affairs
Fort SMITH Oct. 10, 1854.
SIR: cheerfully comply with your request
to furnish, for the use of the Indian Depart.
Inent, short description of the Gum Mezouite
discovered during our rocent expedition to the
head waters Of the Big Wachita and Brazos
rivers.
This gum, for which propose the name of
gum mezquite, is believed to oc eur in in exhaus.
lble quantities. and will no doubt prove q
valuable source of revenue to the State of
texas, New Mexico, and the adjacent Indian
Territory, besides sfording employment to the
dlnerent tribes OF Indians now rowing upon
the PIains, many OF whom would no doubt be
glad to gather and deliver it to the different
trontler posts Tor very small compensation.
The mezqui'e tree, from which this gum is
obtained, is by far the most abundant tree of
the flalns, covering thousands of miles o. tae
drface, and always hourishes most luxuri.
antiy In elevated and dry regions. The gum
exudes spontaneously in a semi-huid state
from the bark OF the trunk and branches, and
soon hardens by exposure to the atmosphere,
forming more or less rounded and variousIy-
co!ored masses, weighing, each, from few
grams to several ounces These soon bleach.
and whlten upon exposure to the light of the
sun, nnally becoming nearly colorless semi
and often filed with minute fs-
sures. Specimens collected from the trunks
Of the trees, were generally found to be less
pure and more highly colOred than when OBJ.
tained from the branches
The gum may be collected during the months
of July, August, and September; but the
most favorable period for that purpose is in
the latter part Of August, when it may be OBJ.
tanned In the greatest abundance, and with
but little trouble. The quantity yielded by
each tree l found to vary from an ounce to
three pounds but missions in the bark not
only greatly facilitated its emulation, but
causes the tree to yield a much greater amount
AS it is, good hand would probably be able
to collect from ten to twenty pounds in day
Were missions resortsd to, probably double
tho amount might be obtained
have thus presented few of the leading
facts connected with this interesting discoy.
cry. Should you desire still further inform.
ation upon the subject, it will give me great
pleasure to furnish it.
am, with much respect, your obedient SER
want, GEO. G. SgUuApn
70 Hon THos. S DREW,
Superintendent Indian Agency
Travel Pay.-In the settlement of an 40
'ount, the proper authority in the Treasury
Department has ruled that an Army officer, of
any grade, who is engaged upon duty 60 far
Of an independent character as to impose the
necessity of travel without q special written
order from his superior, can be allowed onlv
the actual expenses of transportation and Dor.
terage. Tho fifth paragraph of tho reeula
tions of the War Department upon this sub.
ject, dated March 3, 1874, apply equally to
of military departments as to all
other officers
The New Custom Houses.-We learn that
the Secretary of the Treasury has received
for the sale to the United States of
various sites for all the new Custom Houses
ordered to be built by Congress at its last
session. We presume that he will shortly IN
dertake the almost interminsble job of select
ing between the offers of the various bidders.
A Clerical Promotion and Appointment
Mr.. VIM. NJ. Barker has been promoted to q
second class Clerkship (sl4OO) in the Office of
the Secretary Of the Treasury, and Mr.. Chas.
A. Page, of Kentucky, has been appointed to
. first class Clerkship, $4,000 vice Barker,