The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-30


oeiye that from Dona Ana 70 Fort smith, adistance Of
994 miles, our road passes over smooth and very uniform
~ level ground, crossing mountains or deep valleys
and fot i've hundred miles upon the eastern extremity
through the heart of country possessing great
natural advantages conceive this 70 be decidedly the
best overland wagon route to California for several
reasons. +"
In the second place west OF the Rio Grande TO the
shores Of the Pacific the III Paso viii compare fayoTably
with the Albuquerque route Ia almost every important
particular. From oil the data obtain by reference
to reports and nom conversation with gentlemen who
have been the country the thirty parallel
we induced 10 think that Capt Whippe has thrown
little too much OF the eoe de in his picture The
records of Fort Defiance, the reports OF Captain stgreaves
and Captain simpson, DIR. Ietherman's correspondence
all confirm In this conviction The burden of test
mony with reference these routes in favor of the
FL Paso route. Commissioner Bartlett, Commissioner
Emory, Lieut. Parke, A. II. Cenpbel A. b. Gray Lieut.
Mowry and host Of Others all agree that this route is
tsr ercsics the best Not having to the MS re-
port % Lieut. parSe and the undistrbued report OF Maj
Emory, will make few extracts from the letter Of
Lieut.. Mowry New York Times July 10 semi-weekly)
which, in the main, is correct being condensation Of
the most important facts known of this region.
We will premise these extracts, however by stating
that between the Rio Grande and the San Pedro river
there thirteen permanent water stations in about pa
miles, giving average of in seventeen miles, and
eighteen including several fine water stations where
water be preserved, which will give average of
in twelve miles We have submitted this letter of
Lieut. Mowry TO Mr. Albert H. Campbell at the head Of
the racine wagon OlCc interior department., who
accompanied Capt Whippe the thrty-ifth para
lei route and Lieut. Parke the thry-second para
lei principal civil engineer in 1888 "a So He
firms the statement of Lieut.. Mowry in every important
particular and further informs that the ninety mile
jornado from Tucson the ella avoided entirely by
following down the San Pedro and ella rivers 10 the
Pimas villages The distance from the San Pedro by
either route the ella is about the and it is prob
able that 10y following down the Aayaypa, tributary
of the Gila discovered by Lieut. Parke's party, dis
lance of many miles be saved, and In the Calitro
along this route there abundance of pure
water in living streams fine grazing, and oak, ash wal
nut, and pine timber Deer, antelope, bear, and
grouse abound there also and many indications Of gold
were observed and gold found near the San Pedro
river.
Tho country from Ell Paso to Tucson three hundred
and forty miles is eptibc OF early settlement and is
moreover, of the finest routes opened towards
western possessions In part of it is there dis
ance of thirty miles without water and il is often
found at distances of ten and fteeh with plenty of good
grazing, throughout the entire distance
From Tucson the principal town of the Territory Of
Arizona throughout the whole length which the
runs TO the ella river ninety miles, there Is no water
in the dry season. and two artesian wells will be
nv In the wet there is plenty of water This dis
is travelled at all seasons with mule teams and
en-, without difficulty. Down the Gila to Fort Yuma
hundred and sevcnyive miles, there plenty Of water
and grass. From Fort Yuma the Colorado river, to
Carisa creek and San Diego county, California, about
hundred miles the route is heavy with sand and water
Is found in but three places at all seasons OF the year In
Il
four miles from Fort Yuma, Colorado city, Cooks
wells which at an expense of thousand dollars
be made to furnish ample supply. Twenty-six miles
beyond the Alamo Mucho wells, which can be enarg
ed at the cost to any quantity desired Thirty
miles further the Indian wells which will also
yield ample supply. Twenty miles further are the
Sacketts wells which fed by subtennnean stream,
aud also be made to supply any quantity Of water
These two distances, from Tucson to the ella and
from Fort Yuma to Caria, present the only difficulties
the route United the distance is but one hundred
and ninety miles, and it is travelled at all seasons of the
year by heavy-loaded teams.
Prom Carssa creek into San Diego the route is well
watered and affords excellent grazing The distance is
one hundred and twenty-five miles but the supervisors
Of San Diego county engaged in laying out new
road, which will much shorten the distance
1.-THE statement that important trains passed
the southern route is totally absurd that the read
Of the Times must have been surprised at the evident
mistake. The whole southern emigration in the carly
days of the California excitement passed over it, amount
ing years to six eight thousand souls besides
large herds OF cattle
1t is notorious that the principal herds OF cattle and
sheep from the Upper Rio Grandc (Ro Arbal and many
from Missouri driven down the Rio Grande and across
via Tucson and Fort Yuma California in preference to
going across the old Spanish trail part of which, from
the Vegas dc Santa Clam to the Moayc river is perhaps
the worst desert road the face of the globe That
whole distance is banchel with the CHASTITY skulls and
scattered bones of hapess beasts that have persisted for
the want Of water and from excessive heat Even human
skulls have been seen along this road
LAST year four companies of the LIST Dragons, with
more than three hundred horses marched from FL Pso
to Tucson and three companies passed over the
tire route to Fort Yrga California with about two hun
dred horses and large number of mule teams without
loss At present Fort Yuma is esteemed the most inn
portant post in California and in gasoncd by three
companies, 70 protect te eraa trans dhs southern rose
from Indian attack Two ferries have heretofore found
active employment in crossing emigrants and cattle
at the Colorado river Fort Yuma They are now,
by purchase at large amount, merged in have
known the receipts of the Colorado Company to be up
wards of So 900 in day. This does not look much
like unknown and impossible route.
1.-The Postmaster General has shown much Judgment
and thorough knowledge of the country and its avaa
bity in selecting the southern route For years mail
has been regularly carried from san Antonio to I'll Paso
without difficulty danger, except from Indians Al
present monthly mail is carried from FL Paso to Tucson,
80 miles west by government express for the benefit OF
the troops in Arizona This express has military escort
Fort Yuma and San Diego California have for five years
press which, during my two years service at Fort Yuma,
regular in its arrival the steamer from the Eas,
at San Francisco,
s1he only part of the newy-selected rente not
opened by mail is that from Fort Yuma to Tucson 260
miles and this is almost daily travelled by the people of
the Territory by emigrants. and by Mexicans Tucson
is growing town, and will afford all the grain needed
for the road to Ell Paso The Pemas villages the ella
river, will supply grain for the route TO Fort Yurna be-
sides any quantity to transport to any desired point
depot of supply
- At Fort yuma last year large quantity of com
allowed to rot for want of market and there is grazing
for ten thousand animals the river banks. A few mil
itary posts, which would he necessary either of the