The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-16

over half dozen different routes. The advantage
10 the traveller and the economy to the government
! OF having one line instead OF dozen to protect
would fuily repay all the expenses attending the
i,Nther question as to the Practicabllity of the
co., try near the 35th parallel for wagon road
since Aubrey, Whippe and myself have oil travelled
II SUI eessiully with wagons, neither Of ~
Sely the same line, and yet through
very mu,N the same country. You will
find by my Journal that we encamped
sometimes WITHOUT wood and sometimes without
water but nevel' without abundant grass. Starting
with a drove Of $50 sheep, that number was in
creased by births upon the road, but not one was
lost during the jom uey.. In our first journey we
CROPPED as were in the dark and the weather being
warm did not to leave the valleys for the wood
which is generally found on the hill Sides and it is
particularly worthy Of note that all the waters dis
covered were directly on the line Of the road and
found almost without search and ut short distances
apart. II is not to be questioned tina. IL so much
was discovered on the first jourey.a great deal more
remains to be found upon q litae exploration. Ia
preference to Artesian wells l propose to supply .
deficiency OF water by system of dams across
ravines and canons, such as are used in Mexico,
abundant evidences existing 0I,ughoat tho country
that rains fell in sufficSl Titles during the year
to keep them full. In = dams of this kind are
ued in the irrigation d large tracts of territory,
which are dependent entirely upon this means for
the supply of that element and for their crops. 4
cannot too urgently call your attention to this
method OF procuring abundant supplies OF water,
not only on the road to California, but other emf
grant routes where water may be 1t has the
advantage over other artificial means Of obtaining
money, and Of answering every purpose to be ex
pected Of wells of any kind to say nothing of it
being far more economical.
In the journey of the year, during which have
been engaged upon this work, l have not lost
a man, nor was there the slightest case Of
sickness In camp. The medicine chest proved |
only an encumbrance. My surgeon having. left |
me at the commencement Of the journey did |
emDIOv. did have need IN the
tire road. Even in midwinter, and On the most |
elevated portions OF the road not tent was spread
the abundant fuel rendering them unnecessary for
warmth and comfort. regard the establishment of
military post on the Colorado river as an indis |
pensable necessity for the emigrant the road
for although the Indians living the rich meadow
lands agriculturists, and consequently peaceful
they are very numerous, much so that we counted
500 men around our camp on the second day after |
arrival on the banks of the river. The tempta |
tiOn Of scattered emigrant parties with their fami
lies and the confusion of inexperienced teams raft
ing SO wide and rapid river with their wagons and
families, would offer too strong temptation for the
Indians to Withstand. |
To complete this road in a manner worthy Of the |
government. and looking to it as the single line |
of emigration to our Pacific possessions u2inter- |
rupted either by the SHOWS of winter heats of |
summer, would require an appropriation such as |
would make it matter Of security and conve- |
nience to be preferred by the richer class OF emf.
grants to that of the isthmus of Panama, for it's |
comforts, safety and pleasures; and by the poorer
as the more economical means OF transit Win ms
locks and herds, to the Pacific; but such sum- ut |
this time ] do not feel justified in asking. With |
such an appropriation and a military post at every |
seventy-fve mies-arousd which thrifty settle |
ments would soon grow up-this could be accom- |
plished; and as the road for the most part lies |
through country very beautiful and well adapted |
TO agriculture and grazing, these posts might be |
abandoned as the settlements of which they would |
form the nucleus would gain strength to protect |
themselves.
Another appropriation of 100000, to build |
bridges to cut off elbows and to straighen the road
from point to point, and make other improvements |
on the road, would, think make it one of the best
routes for transit across the continent.
feel assured that the public lands which would /
he brought into the market and sold within three |
years after the opening Of this road will repay four
fold the appropriation asked. have the honor to |
be, very respectfully. your obedent servant
Ed. II. BRALE, Superintendent.
Hon. JOHN b. FLOYD, Secretary OF War.
ITINERARY.