The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-10
f ROM i T A Il.
RON OUR OWN CORRESP ONDENT
CAMP FLOYD, L. T., Aug. 4, 1853

CAMP FLOYD, u. T., Aug. 4, 1893.
After hanging in Damocletian suspense all winter
over its enemies the army of Utah finds itself sud
denly thrust into a retired valley, like old sword
into its scabbard without knowing why or where
fore. Is its work really done? What was it ever
drawn forth for? Is its mission now to peacefully
repubcanise set of foreign socialists? Such are
some of the questions that raised over its rusty
representations that are likely go as long with
out response the Great Basin does without rain.
This Basin, as have already limited, is very
peculiar feature on the face of the globe. 1t is
kind of abortive seat of empre it is one of those
desertlike mperections without which the entirety
of the globe itself would probably not be perfect
If it only opened out upon the South Sea, and
visited by timely rains, it could contain world of
busy inhabitants within itself. But. as it is such
sterile desolation broods here that arghted rivers
turn from the face of day, and seek to burrow in
the earth, cropping their way through subterraneous
passages to the sea, if, indeed, they ever find any
seward outlet at all. Such is the Sewer river such
the Humboldt and such are some others of less con-
sequence which. instead of breaking their own way
through mountain barriers, turn downwards into
the bowels of the earth. Think of the rushing cas-
cades, the leaping cataracts that may through
the dark caverns below
But this Basin will require great deal of study
and careful observation before its geological char
acter be well understood and then it may
throw some additional light on the changes that
have taken place in the earth's structure, and add
new data to geological chronology. From the marks
along the fanks of the surrounding mountains, this
great Basin would seem to have been at one time
immense inland sea, with waters from to
two thousand feet in depth; but when the source is
al oh a.
it cannot be found or accounted for unless it is by
supposing period when more water vapor was
brought to this region than there is now; and this
suppostion does not to be consistent with
appearances. Limiting our attention for the pres
ent to the Valley of Salt Lake, we find that there
are emptying into this lake only three principal
streams, viz: Bear River, Weber River, and the
Jordan. Now the whole amount of water dis
charged by these rivers during day would not
probably exceed from five to six hundred millions
of cubic feet, which would cover, say, twentv-nine
square miles with foot in depth of water, or
about ten thousand square miles during year to
the same depth.
Now, allowing Salt Lake to have a surface Of
sixteen hundred square miles, this amount of water
would give it annual increase of depth of about
feet. But the evaporation at this season of
u
per month; at which rate in less than five months
the whole seven feet of water could be evaporated.
The rate however, is less during the cold months
of the year, and, besides, there should be a balance
struck between the amount evaporated and the
quantity which falls in the valley in the shape of
snow and rain.
But though it might be feasible to show the effect
upon the present lake through the agencies of in
crna mip tipn VIII oh or I
would not be easy to show by what agency the
cent lake, which has left its trace upon the noun
tain sides, raised to so high level, although
the excess of evaporation the present supply
might be calculated, and some idea formed of the
number of years during which the lowering of the
water may have been thus going on yet, the an
cent supply and the period at which it ceased re-
main as great mystery A more thorough
examination of the country will throw some light
upon this subject. 1t is not impossible that the wa
ters of Green river may at time have been add
ed to those of the great Basin. At all events the
marks upon the face of the country here, such as
fossil turtles, Shells water lines, &C., show that in
the mountainous region, at elevation of a mile
above the. sea, there was, at some distant period
immense bodies of water, which now no longer ex-
list, having either worn themselves channels to the
sea, or been pumped out by evaporation, or swal-
lowed up by the caverns of the earth.
Have you any Mormons in your Post Office?-
1t would be well for the Department to send
agents along the routes through Kansas and Mis-
souri, to inquire what has become of numerous COM
municatons for Utah, which have failed to reach
their destination. Some Of the Postmasters there
who combine the grocery and liquor business
or similar vacations with the delivery of letters
seem to think that newspapers of no account
except to wrap up parcels. If this estimate of
their worth is based upon their intrinsic value, |
should as general thing be inclined to agree with
them,-still those to whom the papers directed
would like to have something to say in the matter
lfthese Postmasters send none of papers, and
about twothirds of letters, is it not all that we
could reasonably expect in free country?
Brigham left his place for veral days. and it was
thought that he had run away, the most appro-
pirate finale to his extraordinary During
his absence several of his wives made their appear
ance in the streets; but Brigham has at last turned
up again, thus giving to his movements some of that
mystery which is suitable to prophet of the Lord
The fact is he is in quandary himself, absolutely
nonplussed; that inventive genius and quick shrewd
ness which have stood him in stead thus far proving
at fault when brought face to face with the stern
ideas and stubborn facts of civilization which is
based on physical well moral power.
Work has been resumed on section A. of the Alex
andrIa, Loudoun, and Hampshire Railroad near AL
eXandria. The bridges over the canal and the AL
exandria and Washington Turnpike will be speedily
constructed, and the track graded to the depot SO
as to admit of the laying of the rails at an early
day. When the work on section shall have been
completed there will remain but little to do on the
other part of the line as far Leesburg, Loudoun
county.
An alabama Cotton Planter writing to the
National hteRlycncer, says, according to the ac-
counts as far AZ received. from the coftonorowing
region, it appears that the prospect has greatly
changed for tho worse since July, when it was I'M
usually bright, The belief however, is now enter
tanned thai about the average of the crops of the
two last years, three millions of bales, will be made
the present year; but not much exceeding that
amount, as has been confidently expected.
The opening of the sixteenth annual fair of the
Cincinnati Mechanics Institute took place on Mon