The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-12

The scarcity of water has been often urged against the
southern FL Paso route. There Is route between
the mississippi river and California against which the same
objection may not be made. After much examination
believe that tho route selected is feer from this OBJ
lection than almost any other The statements OF Lieu
tenant Mowry and Mr.. Campbell fully sustained by
other authorities The former in published statement
says
..Ihe country from III Paso Tucson three hundred
and forty miles, Is susceptible of early settlement and s
moreover of the finest routes ever opened towards
western possessions In part of IL is there dis
Of thirty miles without water and 1t is often
found distances of ten and fifteen with plenty of good
grazing throughout the entire distance.
From Tucson the principal town OF the Territory OF
Arizona throughout the whole length of which the
route runs) the Gila river ninety miles, there Is
water in the dry season. and two atesian wells will be
necessary In the wet season there plenty OF water
This distance is travelled at all seasons with mule teams
and oxen, without difficulty. Down the Ga to Fort
YUMA hundred and seventy miles, there Is plenty
of water and grass From Fort YUMA on the Colorado
river to Carssa 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 the wet water is found every few
miles Twenty-four miles from Fort Yuma Colorado
City, Cook wells which, at expense of 81 900,
can be made to furnish an ample supply. Twenty-six
miles beyond the Alamo Mucho wells, which can be
enlarged at the cost, to any quantity desired
Thirty miles further the Indian wells which will
also yield am ample supply Twenty miles further
the Sackett's wells, which fed by suberranean
stream and also be made to supply any quantity of
water. E-a tr 4 StNse Ii
These two distances from Tucson the Ga and from
Fort Yuma Carissa 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
From Carssa creek into San Diego the route is well
watered and affords excellent grazing The dis'ance is
one hundred and twenty five miles but the Supervisors
of San Diego county engaged in laying out a
road, which will much shorten the distance.
Mr.. Campbell, who, have before stated, travel
led both routes, has borne the most ample testi
mony that between the Rio Grande and the San Pedro
river there thirteen permanent water stations in about
hundred and twenty miles, giving average OF
in seventeen miles, and eighteen including several
fine ran-water stations where water can be preserved,
which will give average of one In twelve miles "
We have submitted this letter Of Lieut.. Mowry to Mr..
Campbell He confirms the statements of Lieut. Mowry
in every important particular, and further informs us
that the ninety miles tornado from the Tucson to the
Gila is avoided entirely by following down the San Pc
dro and Ga rivers to the Pimas villages The distance
from the San Pedro by either route 20 the la is about
the and it probable that, by following down the
Aravaypa, tributary of the Ga, discovered by Lieut.
Parke' party, distance of many miles can be saved;
and in the Calitro mountains along this route there Is
abundance of pure water in living streams, fine gra
zng, and oak ash, walnut and some pine timber Deer,
antelope bear and grouse abound there also and many
indications of gold observed and gold was found
near the San Pedro rive" "
Captain Humphreys, in his report to the Secretary OF
War and Lieutenant Parke both testify that sufficient
supply of water be had the route for either rail
road stage line
In relation to the relative distance the two routes,
an examination of the map viii exhibit the fact that the
distance from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Balh
more, and Washington, to San Francisco, is about the
upon both routes 5.ss@5
Albuquerque Roms
Distance from San Francisco to Fort Smith, the Albu
querque roue, (see Captain Whipplcs report vol 2,
D. ,952 miles.
From Fort Smith to New York, Captain
Humphreys report, Pacific Railroad Re-
port, vol. !, p 1857 ,345 :"
Total 297 "
H8e@ ist'4A #
Route