The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-28

as sOIne Mw nd!u6Wp, en0uroo spoiiently,
more fully developed TIER entire adaptation
and usefulness in the exploration Of the vii.
derness. At times | have thought it i'm.
possible they could stand the test to which
they have been pat; but they seem TO have
risen equal TO every trial, and to have come
of Of every exploration with as much
strength as before starting. Unsupported
BY the testimony Of every man Of my party,
l should he unwilling TO state all that
have sen them do. Starting with full
determination that the experiment should
be no half way one, have subjected them
to trials which no other animal could posi-
bly, have endured. ard yet have arrived
here, not only without the loss of camel,
but they are admitted by those who saw
them in Texas, to be In a. good condition
TO day as when we left San Antonio.
In all our lateral explorations they have
carried water. sometimes tor more than a
week, for the mules used by the men-them.
selves never receiving bucketful to one Of
them they have trayersed patiently with
heavy packs on these explorations, countries
covered with sharpeat volcanic rock, and yot
their feet 70 this hour have evinced no
SYMPTOM Of tenderness or injury; With heavy
packs they have crossed mountains, assembled
and descended PERCEPTIONS places, where an
unladen mule found il difficult TO pas over
with the assistance Of the rider dismounted,
and carefully picking lis way. ] think it
would he within bounds to say that in these
various lateral explorations they have trav-
crsed nearly double the distance passed over
by our mules and wagons
Leaving home with all the prejudice inya-
rably attaching to untried experiments, and
with many in our camp opposed to their use,
and looking forward confidently TO their
failure, ! believe, at this tine, may speak
for every man in our party, when say there
Is not one OF them who would not prefer the
most indifferent Of our cames to four Of our
best mules and look forward hopefully to
the time when they will be in general use in
all parts OF our country.
Reading the accounts Of travellers who
have used them great deal in the East.
and whom presume were entirely aequaint
ed with their habits and powers, was rem
dered extremely anxious on the subject Of
their swimming, foresecing that however
useful they might be as beasts Of burden in
inhabited parts Of the country. their useful
ness would be impaired, If not entirely lost,
TO those who desired 10 use them where
ferry boats and other such convenences did
not exist.
The enterprisng priest. Father Hue,
whose travels have lately been published d, 10
speaking OF his detention at the Yellow riv-
or, in China, because Of the impossbility of
crossing his camels, concludes by saying /:
" for this animal cannot swim hence my
great anxiety for the entire success of this
experiment, with camels was very much in
creased on my arrival at the Colorado river.
All my pleasure in looking upon this noble
stream, aud all the satisfaction | derived in
the reflection of successful journey accom-
plislrd, was cloudei by this doubt howev-
er, the effort was 10 be made, and. after hav-
ing resolved, in my own mind, what to do
in the event of failure, ! determined to test
the truth Of the statement which | had seen
in relation to the fact. The first one brought
down TO the rivers edge refused to take the
water. Anxious, but not discouraged or
dered another one to be brought, one ofour
largest an finest. and only those who have
felt 30 much anxiety Of the success Of an
experiment, can imagine my relief on seeing
il take the water and swim boldly across
the rapidly flowing river. We then tied
them one to the saddle ofano,her, and with
out the slightest difficulty in short time,
swan them all to the opposite side in gangs
five in gang. To my delight, they not
only swan with ease, but with apparently
more strength than horses or mules One
Of them, heading M stream, swan a consid,
cradle distance against the current, and all
landed in safety on the other side.
Ga reaching the settlements Of Caiifor.
mia, have concluded to Dispatch Lieut.
Thorbun Immediately 10 Washington with
the not"s ami Astronomical observations, in
order tina, he may prepare a map Of our
rontc
In cl1sin; Ibis report, desire 10 say a
word 10 conclusion, of the officer who bear.
il. II reputation in his own service would
render unnecessary any concentrations OF
mine, but thc department of which yon are
AZ the head being unacqlaintnl with his
merits, desirc to make them known 10 Won
lie has evinc,d on this journey an activity
zeal, intelligence and courage rarely to b,
found combined in any on" man, and has
been 10 mo not only mos, able assistant
lon, an agreeable companion throughout th,
entire exploration and | ask as Al esVecis
favor from the Department il the work i
10 he continued. that b. be not detached
from his present duty.
Very respectfully. your abd't sery't.
+. +. Bs,tE, Supt, Sc.
Hon. JONI H. FroYp. Secretary ol War