Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-02-06
nlisfrIlantous Artltles.
Geographical Explorations--A
New OphiT.

own. None can gain more BY II, Tor We
have vast territory beyond the Missis-
sippi washed by the waters Of the Pa
eife, hanked by magnificent mountains,
AMI irrigated by noble rivers, containing
basins and plateaus of measureless fer
tility. and blessed with healthfuI and in
MIGRATING climates. 0f.all these, how
ever, we have yet much more to learn,
: for the maps we have, even those for the
Typographical Department of the govern
ment are exceedingly incorrect. Our
mountain system is as yet almost IN
I known. although in massiveness it exceeds
that Of Europe and Asia combined. Let
Us endeayor to convey some idea of how
! our maps must be corrected, in order 10
/ give a correct idea Of the interior Of our
continent.
Beginning at the isthmus Of Tehuan-
itepec we have the great range of the
Sierra Madre, or Rocky Mountains, a
continuation Of the Cordilleras, reaching
North to the Arctic Ocean, the entire
range facing the Eastern plains, and
7 having 4 high elevation. Next. we have
/ the Sierra Nevada Or Andes, beginning al
/ the same point. facing the Pacific and ex-
tending to Behring's Straits, a distance Of
/ $500 miles. These ranges are to the
two C0rdelleras Of the North. Between
I these we have subordinate and iaterme-
diate mountains connecting them BY cross
ranges. For example, we have lowest
down the mountains Of Q1eretaro. run
>. ming northeast by north, connecting the
G two great ranges; next north Of these the
e mountains of the Rio Florida. with a
] parallel range, enclosing the Balsoa de
Maxim; next, tie Sierra Mibres. the
foggy mountains, 800 miles in length,
and running Eorthwardly; next, three
large spurs in the Colorado country, vet
unezPlOred with any accuracy, the Lowest
of these found a. the pass Of the Rio d
Norte next, the Sierra Wasatch rang,
"a chain running ranS7erselv and con
meeting the Sierra Madre and the Sierr.
Nevada, which are partly explored
Nextabove we have the Snake Rive
Mountains, uniting with the Sierra Ma
DIRE, at an angle Of about - degrees. A
the point ofunion is found the pass 9th,
Gros Ventre. Beyond these, again. ar,
the Blue Mountains, still connecting til
same two great ranges. The next 10 tn
northwest are the OIympian Mountain:
which, with those Of Snake River. enclUs
the basin Of the Columbia river. tn
river del Norte g0rges the Sierra Madr
10 the Atlantic the Colorado g0rges Ii
Andes to the Gulf Of California tn
Snake river and Columbia. to which tn
former IS a tributary, pierce the Andes I
the North Pacific, at about the 18th De
gree Of north latitude.
=. In all the maps now existing the topc
graphy Of these mountains Is given in tn
X most incorrect manner; indeed. many
= them have no place On them at all.
the map which einanated from the Tops
nd graphical Department Of the goverumer
IN 1850, and is considered one Of the be
authority, the Sierra Madre is quite ls
out.
These facts are rather startling. an
show on what a small and limited capit
our grandiloquent lecturers and state
men are doing business. Ii would 2
most seem as il orr government took 7
further interest in 4 proper developmel
Of the geography Of The interior, and til
the spectators who are running dow
s. Congress with schemes for pacific RAJ
roads Do not care where any road Is
$50 be made if they only can pocket the pr
g. limiaary plumber. 1t would be. II IA,
he a waste Of millions ofdgIlars by the cou
~ try if Congress now Iegislated On the i
ar perfect knowledge they have Of the 81
nd jeet. But, Independently Of this. we =
out quire further information as 70 the NETS
AL llierous character Of these mountain
- =. We know something Of the climate. fe
ted tlilty and grandeur Of the rlateaus Of OF
lite continent: we perceive the continual 70
rs. nation Of Territories and States IN,
:; o,r their border, making fresh conquests
n civilization every day; but We have '
as properly to appreciate the vast miner
wo wealth. which lies in these great mou
,no talns- In their southern Examinations
-, =. for example in Chihuahua. silver has he,
md obtained for more than one hundred .,
fifty years in vast quantities. and tbr,
do mints have formany generations been
work there in coming dollars NAM
oo our readers have observed N the :
q Spanish dollars the letter Cs,am,a5
the face, near the edge. These are r.
the minis we speak Of. But We bs