New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-17

Lieut. BeAe in bis first report to the Secretary
of War on the Wagon Road to the Pacific along
the 35th parallel of latitude, calls attention to
means of securing supply Of water on that route
which he thinks far preferable to the project Of
Aresisn wells. 1t is the method, long in use in
Mexico, of constructing dams across raVines and
caons, thus obtaining in the rainy seasons artificial
Accommodations of water to be used during the
remainder of the year. In Mexico dams OF this
sort are employed in the irrigation of large tracts
of territory, which are entirely dependent upon
this means for supply of water, both for domestic
and agricultural purposes. This method has the
advantage over other artificial means OF obtaining
water of certain return for the money expended,
which is very far from being the case with Arteslan
Wells while it answers fully the same purpose, and
that 10 much more economical way. Abundant
evidence appears in the various explorations snaI
at certain seasons of the year rains fall In sufficient
quantities to fill up these artificial reservoirs, for
the construction of which the numerous canons
afford great facilities.
Lieutenant Beale considers that the explorations
made by Aubrey, Whipple and himself fully estab-
lsh not only the practicablity, but the superior
advantages of the country along the 35ta parallel
for wagen-rosd. They have all travelled it with
wagons, not on precisely the same line, but on
pretty much the same route. In Lieutenat Beale's
Journey from Albuquerque TO the Colorado and
back. though sometimes wood and sometimes
water were wanting, there was always an abund-
ance of grass. The outward journey was made
in the months of September and October, and the
return Journey in the months Of January and Feb
ruary. and Lieutenant Beae considers 1t to be es-
tabshed that the route is practicable in both Win
ter and Summer. Even in mid-winter on the most
elevated portions of the road, not tent was spread
the abundant fuel found on the hil-tops and Sides
and the warm weather, rendering tents unnecessary
for warmth or comfort The health of the exploring
party was also perfect, the medicine chest proving
only an incumbrance.
In addition to waterdams, to be constructed
along the entire route at short intervals, Lieut..
Beale recommends military post every seventy
FIVE miles about which he thinks thrifty settle
ments would soon grow up, as the road for the
most part lies through country very beautiful and
well adapted for grazing, and with supply of wa:
ter, for agriculture also. These settlements would
soon, it is thought, gain strength to protect them
selves and the road so as to supersede the neces-
sity of keeping up the posts which had served as
their original nucleus. Such post is especially
necessary at the crossing of the Colorado; for a.
though the Indians living on the rich interval lands
Of that river are agriculturists, and consequently
peaceful yet they are quite numerous, and the
confusion of inexperienced teams rafting so wide
river would be apt to offer too strong a
temptation for Indians to withstand. An appro-
pratiOn is also recommended to the amount OF
800, 600 for building bridges by means of which
the road might be considerably shortened. A
bridge, for instance, at the Canon Diaboo would
cave twenty-five or thirty miles. The road thus
improved and protected, Lieut.. Beale does not
doubt that the whole emigration to the Pacific, in
stead of being divided and scattered as now over
half dozen routes, would pursue this one line-a
concentration of travel beneficial alike in point of
convenience and economy to the traveller and to
the Government, which would thus have but one
road to defend In fact the road is represented as
capable of improvements which would give it q
preference over the Panama route, not merely as
matter of economy for poorer emigrants, but in
point of comfort, safety and pleasure, for the
richer class.
Meanwhile, the exploration of the Colorado River
under Lieut.. Ives is making good progress; aud We
shall soon know whether communication Is pos
sibe by that route between California and Utah.