Washington sentinel., 1854-03-02
Interesting from Utah.


Interesting from Utah.
The Deseret Neics of December |, contains
very interesting report of the tour OF A. w.
Babbitt, territorial delegate to Congress, to de-
eide on proper site for the penitentiary. He
left great Salt Lake city on the lth Novem-
Der, and stopped that evening at Netf's mill,
where he formed his company OF eight addl-
tional men. He left there with nine horses
and mules and two carriages, and made
forced march to Provo city, for the purpose OF
joining Majors Bedell and Rose, Indian agents,
understanding that they were to accompany
him with their guards as far as Fillmore and
San Pete or Marti. During the day he passed
through Dry creek and the American Fork
forts and represents them as presenting sad
scene of the effects of war upon peaceful pur-
suits. He thinks the mode of fortfying these
and other settlements do not add much to their
protection, as they require too 1ge force to
guard them
He failed to reach the desired point that day,
and encamped at night between two wheat
stacks at Battle Creek fort. some forty miles
from Salt Lake city. At day light the next
morning, they left the fort and proceeded to
Provo city, where they found Majors Bedell and
Rose, the former Of whom returned to Salt Lake
continued his journey south Provo was the
only settlement south of Big Cotton Wood that
was not attempted to be fortified This place
IS admirably located, possessing excellent land
and abundant water power, and promises to be
large manufacturing town. He then con-
tnued on through Springfield to Spanish Flat
fort, where he overlook Major Rose and Hon.
q. A. Smith. He represents the surrounding
country as excellent for farming and grazing.
That night they spent at Payson fort. Hon.
Adjutant General Ferguson reviewed the mill.
tia and pronounced every thing in good condi-
ton. While there they had a short parley with
The Sennal Indians, from Summit creek. They
said they wanted to be friends, and that several
Wick-a-ups were at the creek. He left Payson,
about midday, and on arriving at Summit
creek found neither Indian nor white man
the whole settlement vacated, the houses either
removed or burned by the indians.
He arrived at Salt creek on the eveningofthe
l4th, and was soon after Joined by Major Rose
and company. During the day he noticed an
Indian running along the side Of the mountain
Tor several miles, evidently scout of his
brethren in the mountains. AT the creek he
camped under shelter, and the next morning
the troops were called out by their officers,
fired salute from a field-piece of ordnance,
and were reviewed, and addressed by the adiu-
tant general. On leaving this place. Major
Rose took the back track for Salt Lake city,
tor some unknown cause, unless, as Babbitt
says, because they were to pass near the scene
OF the Gunnison massacre. The night of the
18th was spent on the north side of the Severe
river, (the place of the butchery,) and he made
place of defence and shelter of planks from
the bridge at that point. At o'clock the
next morning, he proceeded on, and at daylight
overlook IS wagons of Mormon emigrants at
Lone Valley.
Having breakfasted with them he continued
on, and arrived at Fillmore city, (now fort)
early in the evening. He says:
"At Fillmore we had an interview with seve-
raj Pahvante Indians, among others was their
head chief Ka-nosh-a. We held quite lengthy
talk with them. Some of the number that
massacred Captain Gunnison and company
were present, wien the chief was asked why
ne did prevent the act? He replied that he
could not; that some emigrants on their way
to California, had killed one man, and wounded
three, ne had three sons, all great braves, and
that they excited other braves, and that he
became powerless. They expressed desire
to be friends hereafter, and when interrogated
whether they would sell their land to the great
council at Washington, they expressed a de-
sire to do SO for blankets and farming utensils
They expressed desire further to retain the
land on Corn creek for their own use, and to
live like the whites.
entertain not a doubt that, if the general
government would give unto the several tribes
OF Indians in this territory q small annuity for
the lands that are arabic, they would become
reconcied. They well understand that the In
dians east of the mountains are receiving pre-
sents for the right of travelling through their
hunting grounds, and for cutting timber and
killing game; and they cannot tell why there
is difference made between those tribes and
themselves.
We learn from some Of the Pahvantes, that
Walker had gone south and east to winter
among the Navahoes that Walker was not
mad, but that his brothers were mad and did
not want to make peace. They further in.
formed US that one man could now travel from
Fillmore to where our great chief lived without
being interrupted"
The militia were reviewed on the morning of
the 18th, after which he started back. He met
the emigrants about eight miles from Fillmore,
encan'ped at night in Lone Valley, and thence
drove to Severe river, of which he says:
1T being daylight, and having fair view
OF the country, we could not help thinking that
Col. Fremont and Col. Benton must have been
in a night vision and carried to fairy land
Severe river, for certainly the old colonel had
awakened in us great desire to see those fine
and fertile vallies through which the Severe
runs.'
He arrived at the fort on Salt creek on the
next night, returned to Payson on the follow
ing day, to Battle creek on that succeeding,
and reached Salt Lake city with his party all
in good health, on the evening of Nov. %. In
accordance with his report, the site ofthe peni.
tentiary has been located about 81 miles from
the city, on Big Canon creek.
RIVER NAVIGATION IN AusTRALIA.-The
following extract from private letter an
nounces the commencement Of a most impor.
tant commercial enterprise, in connexion with
this colony-the opening of the navigation Of
the Murray river. The writer is squatter in
the Liewan district adjoining Edwards river.
Under date October 2, 1853, he says: 81 had
the pleasurp the other dav of eto r,;,,x ~,..L