Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-19
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The END OF THE IMBRoGLIo.-On our first
page to-day, the reader will find an admirable
synopsis of the State Consttut ton lately framed
for Kansas. In the main, its features chal-
lenge, at least our approval, If not that Of all
others. 1t is Democratic to the core, and is in
strict keeping with the spirit Of sound progress,
which should distinguish the current era But
we do not regard ourself as having anything
whatever to do with the details of its pro-
visions. Nor has any one else out Of the boun-
diaries of the Territory. The Kansas-N ebraska
act, framed in the true spirit of the Constitu-
ton of the United States, in that particular
confers on the people who are hereafter to live
under the proposed constitution of the new
State alone the right to have "a say" with refer
ence to its adoption. We are for carrying out
to the letter, and in its true spirit the principle
of that law and therefore have no comments
to make on it, Those who were authorized to
propose it have done so, and it now only rests
with these authorized to accept or reject it, to
act In the premises. Whatever may be their
election, it is our duty, it is that of all others
outside the Territory, to await and cheerfully
to bow to their verdict, when legally rendered
FROM THE PLAINs.-According to the last re-
ceived st. Louis Republican, Mr.. Lander, of
Magraw's party, had reached the settlements,
and reports that
The Mormons having burned all the grass on
the southern wintering grounds, the wagon road
expedition has selected camp Wind river.
Ii is surrounded by herds Of buffalo and elk with
which, In the event Of failure Of other means of
subsistence, the train may lie supplied.
OF the advance party, who had distng uished
himself in detached service, has been detailed by
Mr.. Lander, at the request Of Superintendent Ma
graw. to purchase flour and other provisions for
the train. In performing this duty, he sur
rounded near Green river by sixty weiI-armed
mounted MoTmons. He gave them evasive an
swers as to the nature of his business, and at
length allowed TO depart. file rode 1t once to the
command of Col. Alexander, many miles distant,
and Informed that & ntleman of the advance of
the mounted armed men, and of the rumors that
i've hundred had c Ssed Green river, going in
the direction Of un detected Government trains:
but before any escort was sent. three trains. en-
braciDg seventy-six wagons, were reached and
completely destroyed by the party of sixty men
first seen. From the destruction of these trains
OF provisions the eastern mounta ineers We're dis
posed 10 hold articles of subsistence at a high
price Flour was $40 hundred at Platte bridge,
l25 miles beyond Fort Laramie. and rising; and
general belief prevailed in the country that hos
tilities had commenced. The military forces
were in high spirits, and though travelling with
every prospect of enduring great hardships, en-
| thusiastic TO man, and prepared for the worst.
The explorations of the advance party of the
Wagon Road Expedition had proved of reat ser
vice TO the command. The entire region between
the Salt Lake and Snake river, the South Pass,
and Thousand Spring Valley, connecting the
wOik of StanbuFv and Fremont, and hitherto
UNEMPLOYED, has been surveyed and mapped: six
teen mountain passes examined, all the tributa-
ries Of the upper Green river dctined to their
sources: the great Wahsatch chain found to con-
sist Of four distinct ranges. Numerous supplies
of grass, wood, and water had been discovered,
and various wagon routes. two of which avoid
the Grand Desert Of the Sandy, and one seven
DAYS shorter travel in a distance OF five hundred
miles. than any previously known. These may
be mentioned a. some of the results of the explo-
ratons. The military force had, therefore. a6an-
doncd the old line of approach, and were advan-
cling upon the valley of the Lake by the open
plains Of the Western descent Of the Bear and
Malade river
I'VE forgot TO state that Gov Cummings and
lady. with the Secretary of the Territory, were
met about two days march east Of Fort Laramie
with Col. Cooke, and the tab mail train.
Nv hen MIR. l.. informed Gov. Cummings of
the commencement Of the Mormon disturbances
by the destruction of Government trains, being
the first 10 bring this intelligence Gov. c quiz
city remarked, ''Tell all my friends, sir, that /
started to obey instructions and to go into Salt
Lake City. and am going"
" Brigham Young had already disc lined any
participation or knowledge of the overt act of
burning the supply trains
" Old mountaineers are predicting the most
disastrous consequences if the troops not able
TO fight their way into the city. The grass
burned, the forage we'll nigh eaten up, winter
setting in with several deep SHOWS, much of tue
command far in the rear, and great range of
mountains shutting 1t out from the mort eTn win
tering grounds, all seem TO give weight to the
suppOsitioE that the expedition will no; he sue
cessfnl one. Cache Valley, which is open,
well-grassed plain, in which are several Mormon
farms. and over which roam great herds of cattle
and horses, the property of the Church, will
soon, however, be within striking distance of the
command =;
An IMPORTANT GOyEEYMENr ORDBR-It