The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-17

lutions will be kept quiet ut present.
There is much anxiety here relative to the result
OF the contested seats from this Territory in Con-
gress, to wit: those Of Judge Bennett and Bird B.
Chapman. The friends of both-the former confined
to the yeomanry OF the Territory and the latter to
faction or Clique-are certain of ultimate success
The thermometer this morning stood at fifteen
degrees below zero. The settlements throughout
the Territory are passing the winter much better
than many anticipated This is their last winter of
what might be called suffering. Next season there
will be large crops raised all over the country to
suffice not only the settlers but such immigration Us
may como In during the summer. Ike.
OMAHA CRY. NEBRASKA, TERRITORY.
January 20, 1856.
Adjournment Of the Legislature Description of a
Trip Aeross the Piains-Adrice to Emigrants,
&C., &c.
The Legislature has adjourned, and Omaha City,
the temporary capital, looks like some banquet
hall deserted" more appropos, like the last run
of ehad." There will no. be, presume, much ex-
element interest just around here until the spring
emigration commences. l understand from some
what reliable source that there will be large emf
grafton across the plains this season. Presuming
an outline description of this interesting jaunt of
about 900 miles travel might be interesting to
some Of the HERALDs readers, I will, for want of
more interesting matter, describe trip across the
plains.
The emigrant reaches the confines of civilization
here-the Missouri river-generally speaking, with
as little correct idea of the remaining part Of his
journey as if he were about exploring the country
back from the Nile. He has brought with him a
quantity Of luggage, one-third of which will be
scattered along the road and left as useless. The
first thing Of importance for the trip is good team
oxen, I understand, are considered the best next,
and, believe, preferable are good mules.
The wagon should be of the best material and well
put together The provisions for not than three
four persons should be put in one wagon, aud to
that wagon attach about four yoke of oxen. AL
though upon the confines of civilization here an en-
tire outfit Of team, provisions, &c. be purchased
and all you have to do is look out for being cheated
for it is by many considered not much of sin to
cheat an emigrant, and numbers make living ut it.
You want sufficency of clothing, suitable for the
rough trip-blankets ammunition, q good rifle, shot
gun, together with revolver of the navy army
size shoes and nAis for your teams, aud tent The
probable amount Of provisions is variously estima-
ted, and the quality according to taste. The fol-
lowing, presume, is, perhaps correct an estimate
for three men as any:-400 pounds of -four, rs
pounds of Indian meal, 200 pounds of crackers, rs
pounds Of rice $50 pounds Of hams and side bacon,
IS pounds Of dried venison, bushel Of beans, 100
pounds Of sugar, so pounds OF coffee, pounds of
tea. gallons of pickles in vinegar, gallons Of
moasses, three bushels Of dried fruit 10 pounds Of
soda, pounds tartaric acid, little good brandy,
and some dried fish. This estimate il considered
sufficient fos the trip to Sacramento City, California,
a distance from here via Salt Lake City of about
l $50 miles, If you are going Arough to California
Salt Lake City will be pleassst resting, place for
you and your teams For the sake of self protec
ton, &C., eight ten teams should start together,
and that as early in the spring as the grass will
admit.
There are many points of interest on this weari-
tony II of OH oo,
from here you reach new Fort Kearney, just across
the Platte river, which can be forded there. About
81 miles from here yon pass Ash Hollow, where
General Harvey routed the Brule band of Sioux
here you pass Fort Laramie. The fort Is mile
and half west OF the river, the opposite side.
Here you can cross if you choose and take the south
side of the Platte but the north side is preferred.
II u continue the north side, at . distance OF
60 miles from here, you pass one Of the greatest
curiosities OF the trip, called "Devils Cate 1t y
Geep canon in the Rattlesnake mountains, through
which the sweet water runs and completely fills the
gap The mountain walls on either side are about
4O6 feet high. $50 miles brings you to the summit
Of the South Pass This Is the dividing point
between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its
brings YOU to one of the tributaries of the
great Colorado; 9S3 miles brings you 10 the famous
Soda Springs and Steamboat Springs, and little
further on you pass an old crater OF defnnct vol
cano. II you go by Salt Lake, at distance of near
900 miles you pass over a mountain whose altitude
il 724s feet and from which you overlook, the,
southern part OF Great Salt Lake valley one Of the
most magnificent views in the world. About 1850
miles brings you into the centre Of the city of the
Saints. The city Of Salt Lake ia perhaps one of the
iovcliest in the world, particularly so when long
wearisome weeks have passed since you saw even o
village. II is built upon an inclined plane on the
east side Of the valley. This valley about miles
wide by about 100 miles long. The city covers an
area Of twenty square miles, and is admirably
watered by two cold and clear mountain torrents.
After resting awhile, enjoying tie hospitality Of tho
Mormons, listening to the offhand diacourscs and
Gentle devouring sermons of friend Bsjgham Young,
yon start via the south end Of Salt Lake California
wards. At distance of about ESQ miles from Salt
Lake you pass the Humbo> river for the first time.
AT distance Of 69S miles further FROM Salt Lake
YOU pass through Carson valley, of the loveliest
vallies on the route. It but abont six miles wide
and about forty long. The mountains around are
covered with pines, and the valley with rich
growth Of grass. Seven hundred and eighty-fon,
miles further from the Saints brings You to the
summit Of the Sierra Nevada--the " land Of per
petual snow" From thence to Placervills Is bul
as miles, and IRON thence to Sacramento City only
80 miles.
But, render, when you reach Nebraska make up
your raind to stop and settle for life. Select you
comfortable place for farm-stick your stakes
| put mp your house-put In your crops-make you q
home and fortune-and die IKE