The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-17
Colorado Exploring Expedftson.


During the past week we had the pleasure Of a
visit from Lieut.. J. c. Ives Typographical Engi-
neers, in command OF the Colorado Exploring Expe-
dition, who arrived at Albuquerque on the 3Oth ult
and In Santa Fe on the I'd inst. We are gratifed To
learn that the exploration has proved 40 successful
and that new light will through this fundamentally
| be thrown upon this hitherto unknown river and
the country bordering It, The expedition was or
gained for the purpose of ascertaining the naviga
bility Of the river and OF exploring the country
through which IL flows, the greater part of which
hitherto has been terra incog. The navigabe part
of the river was ascended In an iron tern Wheel
steamboat, which was brought out to California for
the purpose, and put together at the mouth OF the
Rio Colorado. The boat was taken % the
river to point FIVE hundred miles above
the head Of the Gulf Of California, the navigation
being rendered difficult by shoals and rapids The
water was at its lowest stage which increased the
difficulties Of the experiment, at the same time it
the sonSsn its most
was carried through the Big Canon 70 the mouth
Of the Rio Virgen, few miles above its head. Be
yond this point the river becomes almost q con-
tinuous rapid. Some OF the canons passed through
are represented as exceedingly grand and beautiful.
The Big Canon IL about twenty-five miles In length.
The river Ia very narrow, and the walls of the canon
rise in majestic grandeur perpendicular from tho
water 10 a height Of over thousand feet either
side presenting series Of rugged and novel attrac-
tions rarely witnessed.
After the completion Of the photographs survey.
the steamboat with the photographic party returned
persons, and few Mexican packers, and q part OF
the escort then proceeded with pack train 10 ex-
plore the unknown territory 10 the north and east,
through which the upper Colorado flows. The party
followed the river 70 the mouth OF the Little
Colorado over a vast mesa, intersected by immense
canons. The Little Colorado was traversed until
eligible point for crossing found, and the
petition proceeded north passing the Moqu Pueblos,
and exploring the country north until stopped by
impossible desert south OF the San Juan. Great diff
hculty was experienced In the land explorations i'm
procuring water, the country being extremely arid,
and the few streams and rivers flowing at the bottom
Of inaccessible canons. One or two severe snow
storms experienced upon the high table lands-
The original intention OF the party had been 10 re
turn TO Fort Yuma, but the length Of the route the
severity OF the weather, the scarcity Of water and
the several difficulties presented by the country had
40 weakened the mules and occasoned such delays
that their provisions were exhausted, and they were
returns to California by the Southern mail route.
The remainder Of the party, with the escort, will
cross the Plains TO Fort Leavenworth.
The sciectifc party IS composed off,
DR. J. =. Newberry, Physician and Geologst.
r. w. Eglofstein, Topographer
H. X. Mollhausen, Artist and Naturalist
Dr Newberry formerly accompanied Lieutenant
Williamson, Typographical Engineers, in his explora-
Mr.. Eelosstein was with Fremont IN his
last expedition in 1853 and Mr.. Mouhansen
was with Lieutenant whipple on the Pacific
Railroad expedition near the thirty.dfth parallel.
in that survey, and now expresses the opinion that
there Is route 10 the Pacific coast across the con-
tinent combningthaf the advantages that are pre-
sented by the middle or Albuquerque route.
Mr. j. III. Peacock who formerly resided in this
Territory accompanied the expedition in charge of
the train. The escort was composed of twenty men
under command of Lieut.. John Upton, of the Third
Artillery.
Thus successfully has ended another of the nv.
porDg expeditions sent out by the present adrn;nis
trstion. Various rumors were set afoat prehdiciaI
10 the operations OF Lieut. Ives not one of when a
true. The report that his boat was fast aground I'm
the Colorado, near Fort Yuma was entirely false
We look with much interest TO the official report
Of Lieutenant Ives to the Secretary of War We
may soon expect the continent 20 Sc trayersed bv
The steam engine. The popular mind is being randi
y educated to that belief, and the general warts OF
Dur vas and growing possessions ON the Pacific de-
nand ". Any information, therefore which is do
'igned TO enlghen the people OF the United States
and bring TO public attention the general capahili
lies and advantages Of the territory lying vest OF
The Mississippi and east Of the Pacific cannot fail tn
be eagerly sought after. The report OF It. Ives will
be another link in the chain which il now being
forged to draw the iron horse from Missouri 10 Cali
fornia.
Lieutenant Ives Is quite young man, 10 all An.
pearances TO have been intrusted with 20 important
A duty as the exploration Of the Colorado ne. how
ever has been equal 10 the task and his operations
will doubtless reflect credit upon himself ard TIC
Judgment Of the authority which selected him.