Butte record., 1854-08-12
Important if True.
n sUBTERRANEAN PASS DISCOVERED
THROUGH THE SIERRA NEVADA.

but it sounds as if somebody was ro-
mancing -
We publish the annexed extract from
letter.received a few days since, writ
ten by an old friend, whose explorations
in different parts of California, have
greatly assisted in developing her i'm
mense resources. Should this subter-
ranean pass prove as practicable for
railroad route as our correspondent an
ticipates, the whole subject will receive
an impetus scarcely dreamed Of by the
most ardent Imagination
Having heard Maj S.
speak of a very large and long cave,
that was somewhere near the head of
the Yo-Semity Valley, and as the mann
mouth caves at Marble Springs, formed
in the immense marble ledge that tray
erses the gold region of California, are
more or less connected by fssures, it
occurred to me that there might be
subterranean pass through the Sierra.
The hostility of the Indians prevented
my acting upon the idea at the time,
but it was not forgotten, and as soon as
the benefcent influences of Lieutenant
BIS administration of Indian affairs
had extended to that region, stimulated
by desire TO render my name as illus
trious as some of our distinguished Cali
fornia travellers, and at the same time
benefit my country, after amply provid-
ing for the undertaking, l commenced
my exploration
1 had observed while out against the
Indians in 1851, that some Indians we
were pursuing disappeared at Or near
certain point at the head of the valley,
and although we examined every rock
and bush in the vicinity, we were un-
able to obtain any clue to their hiding
place. On our return from the expedi-
tion the cave was mentioned to me Incl
dentally, and l at once concluded that
it was the secret haunt of the Indians
I accordingly directed my attention to
this Joint. After having searched for
three days without the slightest prospect
of success attending our efforts, re-
solved to adopt another plan but acci-
dent or fortune, accomplished what no
plan could have done. Clambering
among the mill-dewed and messy rocks
at the base of the rocky cliff, l had be-
come so dusty that it became necessary
for me to bathe. The idea of taking
shower bath struck my fancy, and l at
once repaired to the fall, which exceeds
in height the celebrated fall of the Him.
alaya; ordinarily, one cannot approach
nearer than one hundred yards Of the
falling body of water, owing to the spray
or mist that hovers over and around the
cauldron )" bnt at this time there was
a strong breeze blowing up the valley,
sweeping aside the mist that hitherto
had prevented my nearer approach. [
was about divesting myself of my gar
ments, when a gust of wind, stronger
than any that had preceded it, exposed
to my astonished and joyful sight the
the long sought cave. My abIutions
were forgotten hurried back to my
party and made known the wonderful
and fortunate discovery. The rest of
the day was devoted to the preparation
of torches, and on the following morn
ing, after hasty breakfast, we COM
menced our exploration of the cave
We had no difficulty in entering it,
although we were thoroughly drenched
by the sheet of water, back of which,
protected by shelving rocks, was an open
space, leading TO the cave. l have not
language to describe the feeling of awe
with which | was struck upon entering
the portals of this grand and glowing
structure, made by no mortal hands,
All that | had read of in boyish romance,
all that a vivid and err attic Imagination
had conceived of subterranean world,
was tame and commonplace compared
with this sublimely stupendous work of
nature. But to proceed With lighted
torches we cautiously commenced our
march, admiring the giant stalactites
that reflected in magniied rays the light
from our torches. We had proceeded
but short distance, when we observed
what appeared to be trail worn in the
rock. We at once decided to follow it,
We had followed it but short distance,
when. passing through a bed of dust,
we discovered Indian thacks, recently
formed. We at fist were startled at
this discovery, but after little refec-
A. IL