Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-06-29
Col. Fremont's Exploration of the Cen
tral Railroad POnta TO the Pacfn.

Eds National htc'iigcnCer:
GrSTLEMEN:-Whil the proceedings in Con-
gress are occupying public attention more particu-
lary with the subject of the Pacific Railway, I
desire to offer to your paper for publication some
general results of recent winter expedition
across the Rocky Montains confuing myself to
mere results, in anticipation of fuller report, with
maps and illustrations, which vii! necessarily take
some months to prepare.
The country examined was for about three
fourthS Of the dstancc--from the Missouri front
ic at the mouth Of the Kansas River, to the Valley
Of Parowan, at the foot Of the Wahsatch Noun
tains within the rim Of the Great Basin, at its
southeastern band--aoug and between the 3Sth
and goth parallels Of latitude; and the whole line
divides itself naturally into three sections, which
may be conveniently followed in description.
The first or eastern section consists of the great
prairie slope, spreading from the base of the Sierra
Blanca TO the Missouri frontier, about 100 miles;
the second middle section comprehends the
various Rocky Mountain ranges and interlying
valleys between the termination Of the great plains
at the foot OF the Sierra Blanca and of the Great
Basin of the Parowan Valley and Wahsatch Noun
tains where the first Norman settlement is found,
about $50 miles; the third or western section COM
PTehends the mountainous plateau lying between
the Watsatch Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, a
distance of about 400 miles
The country examined was upon very direct
line-the Travelled route being about 1850 miles
over an airline distance Of about 300 miles
Ih" First Sectioa.-Four separate expeditions
across this section, made before the present one
and which carried me over various lines at dif-
ferent seasons Of The year, enable ne to speak Of
it with the confidence of intimate knowledge
1t is plain of inclination, sweeping directly uu
up 10 the foot of the mountains which GCneminatc
it as highlands to the ocean. lis character is open
prairie, over which summer travelling is made in
every direction.
For railway. or winter travelling road, the
route would be, in consideration Of wood, coal,
building stone, water and fertile land; about two
hundred miles up the valley of the Kansas, (Which
might be made one rich continuous cornfeld.) and
afterwards along the immediate valley of the Up
per Arkansas, Of which about two hundred miles,
as you approach the mountains, is continuously
well adapted TO settlements as well as TO roads
Numerous well-watcred and fertile valleys
,
which present themselves in detached bocks-out-
lierS-gradualy closing in around the heads Of the
streams, but leaving open approaches 10 the con-
tral ridges. The whole Of the inner-mouatain
region is abundant in grasses wood, coal and fer
tile soil. The Pueblos above Bent's Fort prove it
TO he well adapted TO the grains and vegetables
common to the latitude, including Indian corn.
which ripcns well, and to the support of healthy
stock, which increase We'll and take care of them
selves summer and winter.
The climate is mild and the winters short; the
autumn usually having its full length Of bright,
open weather, and without snow, which in winter
falls rarely and passes of quickly. In this belt Of
country lying along the mountains. the snow falls
more carly and much more thinly than in the open
plains TO the eastward, the storms c1neregate about
the high mountains and leave the valleys free. II
the beginning Of December We found vet no snow
on the Huerfano river, and were informed by an
old resident, then engaged in establishing farm
at the mouth of this stream, that snow seldom or
never fell there, and that cattle were left in the
range all the winter through.
This character of country continued TO the foot
of the dividing crest and to this point our Journey
resulted in showing very easy grade for q road in
a country unobstructed either by snow or other
impcdments, and having all the elements necessary
to the prosperity Of an agricultural population, in
fertility Of soil, abundance of food for stock,
wood and coal for fuel, and timber for necessary
constructions.
Our examinations around the southern head
waters of the Arkansas have made us acquainted
with many passes, grouped together in small
space of country, conducting by short and practi-
cable valleys from the waters Of the Arkansas,
just described, to the valleys of the Del Norte and
East Colorado. The Sierra Blanca, through
which these passes lie is high and rugged present
ing a broken appearance, but rises abruptly from
the open country on either side, narrowed at the
points though which the passes are cut, leaving
them only slX or eight miles in length from valley
TO valley, and entirely uno5stFucted by outlying
ranges or broken country. To the best Of these
passes the ascent is alorg the open valley of wa
ter courses, uniform and very gradual in ascent
Standing Immediately At the mouth Of the San,