The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-13


In relation TO the relative facility with which four
horse stage coaches can be run over the Albuquerque
and the FL Paso routes, it must be remembered that
this service was to commence within twelve months.
The distance was more than two thousand miles,
over many ranges Of mountains, and nearly the
whole distance uninhabited. There were no roads
yet opened and even the foot of the white man had
not yet trodden many portions Of the way which
might finally be selected. Still the stages must be
running within twelve months. To do 10 it was
evident that some route must be selected
s (Which .hs By cutting d ssS trees
and blazing others, as mere guide posts, digging
down occasional hill sides. and building slight and
temporary bridges the work OF transportation might
begin within the brief period required by the law
1t not enough that, by great labor Of years and
by large expenditure of money, graded turnpike
could be made, or railway constructed at the end
Of some half dozen years, or even longer period,
but il must be over surface of country naturally
favorable that stage coaches, with their mails and
passengers, could be running within twelve months
with rapidity scarcely e9uaed on the best routes
days they must 60 day and night, averaging about
eighty miles each day. Now, which OF these two
routes presented the greatest probability of afford
ing such q service? Captain Marcy explored both
routes as far the Rio Grande, and, after having
examined both, he gave decided preference to
the southern or FL Paso route. he says, on page
228 Of his report, after favorable description OF
the route from the Rio Grande to the Pecos:
Our road from here across the Iano Esacado Tor
seventy eight miles upon perfectly level prairie as arm
table land about fifty feet, into rolling prairie country,
where the Colorado OF Texas has its source. Thus far
there but little timber water our route except at
certain points noted upon The map these points be
made from day TO day with loaded teams. As II, how
nor ns hs an ao
Of the country nth luxurant verdure of different kinds
Of CANA grass aordng the most nutritious s,stenanco
for animals and rendering of the best countries for
grazing large nocks and herds that be conceived Of
Immediately after descended from the high table
lands, we struck upon an entirely different country
/ from the had been passing over before. BY
a reference to the map II will be seen We kept near the
plain upon the head branches Of the Colorado the
Clear Fork Of the Brazos. Here found smooth road
gently unduating country OF praries aad timber
and abounding with numerous clear spring branches
two hundred miles, and in many places covered with
large groves Of mezque timber which makes the very
best fuel The soil cannot be surpassed for fertility. The
grass remains green during the entire winter and the eli
mate lie salubrous and healthy. Indeed II possesses all
the requisites that be desired for making fine agr
cultural country and venture TO predict that at
distant period will contain very dense population. II
only necessary for practical farmers to IT, and
have protection from the noursons OF the Indians TO SET
Soon after crossing the Rio Brazos road strikes
upon the high ridge lying between the waters of the
Trinity and Red rivers; and appears if nature had
formed this expressly for road, runs for hundred
miles through country which is frequently much broken
up each side with hills and deep ravines and the only
place where wagons can pass is directly upon
the crest Of this natural denle. 1t is as firm
and smooth as n turnpike, with no streams OF
magnitude other obstruction through the entire dis
Preston where we left il and crossed the
Red rver-from Preston to Fort washta, and thence TO
outward upon Gaines creek, the road passing
through the Chckasaw country, which is rolling and in
many places covered with great variety Of large timber
and well watered with no mountains or high hills TO pass
Hence you will perceive that from Dona Ana to
Fort Smith, distance of 994 miles, road passes
smooth and very uniformly level ground, crossing no
mountains deep valleys, and for five hundred miles,
upon the eastern extremity runs through the heart Of
country possessing great natural advantages conceive
this be decidedly the best overland wagon route TO Ca
hfornia for several reasons.
We will now call attention to the evidence
of Captain John Pope, Typographical Engi-
neers. who has been stationed a long time
in New Mexico, and has seen a great portion
Of the plains between the ed and 39th parallels.
In chapter XII, Pacific Railroad Reports, vol. 2,
speaking of the general character Of the country
along the 32d parallel route, he says
In glancng at the Typographical features the immense
plains which extend westward from the frontiers Of
Arkansas and Missouri the first great popularity which
strikes the attention Is the remarkable interruption TO
Their , @ ~ e Ds, a oe
deserts commencing about the 97th meridian, extend
distance of six hundred miles TO the eastern base
Of the Rocky Mountains. In this whole extent they
badly watered by few sluggish streams which intcrscct
them, many Of which disappear altogether in the dry
sparse growth Of dwarf cotton along the streams From
the northern part Of the United States at the parallel
country extends, without interruption, as far TO the
south parallel of 81 degrees. Az this parallel its
tween the SD and 34th parallels Of latitude broad
belt Of well waterod well tmbcrcd country adapted in
hundred and twelve miles ike vast peninsula, INTO the
parched and treeless waste o. the plains and At 7. west
limit approaches IN within less than three hundred
miles of the Rio Grande at Fl Paso."
The same distinctive preference TO the FL Paso
route 1.-THE seected) over the Albuquerque route
IL given by Commissioners Emory and Bartlett, Lieu
tenant Parke and A. H. Campbell. at the head OF the
Pacific Wagon Road Office, Interior Department,
who accompanied Captain Whipple over the Albu-
auerque route, and Lieutenant Parke over the FL
Paso as principal engineer, In 1858, 1854 and 1855.
The comparison Of the two routes west Of the Rio
Grande the department consider equally favorable
TO the one selected Beside the fact Of its being
a country about three thousand feet lower than the
Albuquerque route, Congress had appropriated two
hundred thousand dollars on this route TO be ex-
pended In the construction OF a wagon road between
the Rio Grandc and Fort Yuma, on the
Colorado So large sum expended on a
les prove Of an immense advantage in ex-
pediting the proposed service, both "a TO regu-
iarity and speed. Before this appropriation was
made by Congress, Mr.. Secretary Davis who coli
lected q larger amount of reliable information on
this subject than any other person, reported to Con-
grcss that the most practicable and economical
route for railroad from the Mississippi river TO The
Pacific ocean was the one which the department has
selected. Lieut.. Mowry, writing on this subject,
since the route was established says:-"For years
a mail has been regularly carried on from San An
tonic 10 III Paso without difficulty danger except
from Indians. At present monthly mail il carried
from III Paso TO Tucson, $40 miles west, by govern
mcnt express, for the benefit Of the troops in Arr
IONA This express IA, ,s military escort. Fort
been connected by semimonthly mail government
expressly which. during my two years service at
Fort Yuma was as regular in its arrival as the
steamer from the east at San Francisco.
The only part OF the newly selected route not now
opened by mail that from Fort Yuma 20 Tucson. 200
miles and this u almost daily travelled by the people OF
the Territory by emigrnn. and by Mcxicans Tucson II
growing town, and viii afford all the grain needed for
the road ~ paso. Tho ptuas villages on the Hla
river will supply grain tor the route 4, Fort YUMA be
sides ANY quantity to transport TO any desired point or
DEPOT of supply.
a. Fort Yuma last year large quantity OF corn was
allowed 10 rot tor want OF mske and there grazing
for ten thousand animals on the river banks. few
military pcsts, which would be necessary on either OF
the other routes will make the southern roue perfectly
safe and the immense mineral wealth, in silver and COP
per will nj once draw 10 Arizona large population.
i the only available at all OF the year The
route through the South rasa much closed by snow
from four TO six months In the year a. barred ny
gate of adamant During the winter Of 1855
was in salt Lake valley, and mail from the East
reached from November 20 April The mail was at
In lh1