The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-15
Tn~ Overland Mall Expedition.
.x,rT,,, cosREsPoNpgNCK or TBB BKRALD.


The Overland Mall Expedition.
syEcIAL CORRESPONDENTS or The HERALD
PRssroS, Texas, Feb. i, 1855.
Nssxpsd,tou len the banks OF the Arkansas river on
s.-rdsy Ianuary IS About SIX miles after crossing the
ayssnsas we leave the Cherokee Nation and strike the
Creeks This nation numbers about twenty thousand to
setner With five hundred slaves ucuced with them
ere some fneen hundred Semneles. In point Of cviiza
sn the Creek Indians not equal TO the Caerokees
Ihey much incident and LET their crops rot on
NE ground for want OF proper care Their form Of civil
far less perfect than that OF any other ma
oon N the territory
The Chocsw and Chickassw nations are merged tage-
er and occupy tract of land in the extreme southern
ps Of the territory, capable Of producing abundant
crops Of corn fax, hemp, tobacco, &C. and would
tain population dense that of any the continent
Of Europe Both of these tribes rapidly improving in
comfort and civilization They have fine farms, well
stocked together with cotton gins, looms Touring mills,
nc They probably the wealthest tribes in the terri
tory having realized large amount Of money from the
sale OF their lands east Of the Mississippi 70 the United
R4tes The Chickasaws have large fund applicable
objects Of cvilzationten thousand dollars
which lie annually applied 70 education. The Choctaw
have six thousand dollars annually applied the
same object
The streams running through the territory from the
Arkansas the Red the obstacles that i'm
pede the travel Several OF the creeksprominent among
which Fix and Gains--during heavy rains some
times rise at the rate Of from six inches 70 one foot per
hour and sentmes their banks overflow for distance OF
aquarier Of mile. new road however, rs IN The course
construction land viii be completed the coming season)
nom the Arkansas TO the Canadian river, which will make
much more practicable route and do away with al ohsta
cIes Tow encountered in crossing streams.
The expedition crossed the Canadian river on Tuesday,
TTo Il apoa f fha On SIR
ming through Indian territory and possessed scene
~ unsurpassed by that of any in the Southwest At
enc point where we crossed beautiful hes spread
before the eye The grass mad just begun 70 sprout
and be trees begun bud presenting OF natures
traits most in harmony with omncient love- who ofdan
ed for mans comfort Frsid in iced must be the
whose mind could not admire and harmonic with its
bccks with wales between rolled away successfully;
abe earth looks aluxrrapt almost volupuous form,
rayed in glorious robes tinted and green whose fruitful
bosom ready yield fruon and vital
10 all Who rustDgy neiue there Such the charming
picture displayed before US, with soft swell ana
valley dmpes, almost breathing with life, Us
rich, glowing verdant robes waved in the
breeze, gently rising and falling like he maternal
bosom when agtated by emotions Of affection, and
shs whole cheered into brighter gadnes by
2rdent he imprinted them while the ht'u pass
iog clouds removed their mystic veil from The ensnored
Eestgres To all lovers OF beaututand rom lnc scenery
carved agd flushed by natures hand, ] would re
comneuda trip through the indian territory 70 the Cara
IpsD river.
Beyond the river VIC crossed the Canadian mountain,
where another grand panorama Is spread out before Us
Prom IL summit may be vast range Of aountns,
extending as far as the eye reach beautiful
prairie country, with here and tn. small grove OF tim
Der 1t looks IKE a park laid ont with royal u lgnld-
Cence az yerdan the most carefully kept enclosure
covering hundreds and thousands OF acres extending for
miles you, planted with sturdy oaks with the
der Of well SCI orchard, AaYpg 10 unGer6rush TO inter
Sept your progress and no feooes 70 prompt you from
IRE spcss where you walk ride IN almost any d.
recuon over the rich green sward presenting picture as
rich md fair as the visits in all the West
We have passed through few villages OF any Importance
Tbose Of B&gey po, aud Peryve are the only Indian
villages which are worthy OF note Baggy Depot, the
cayi.si OF the ChoctaS ana Chcxasaw natcns very
spirited town, Of about tso hundred Inhabitants, the
vrester portion Of them Indians
We crossed the Red river a. Preston. A few years
since The river gated - ar up this po.It, but
htteriy 90 boat have come up s FAR, Consequence
The lack business. There probably no part OF the
Unjed states where the unoccrped lands have higher
claims from soil, climate, ntermix,ure OF prares and
timber lands, position, and inducCment " popula
tor than the couatry along the BED river. And Us
visaoD could be permanently opened ~ far up A this
poIn. fertile lands Tat now lie n waste would soon
oe under cultivation ard ooats aaen Win the rch pro
doc common The West and South would glide along
smoothly lie Redeemed watars 30 the great coumer
eal depots OF tie lnon Toe sci s az rSn as TIE oest
bottoms, and the facilities for water and other ne
Oesares c equal 70 those Of eay other section OF
the sog-h.
Preston Is a small village the Texas hank Of the
river, OF very minor Importance. II hAs greaiy depre
risted during the past few years FOR what reason
unable say. Bat the iass that 20 be prom, nent
overland mail route " IL undoubtedly, give
napu re and make one OF the moot prosperous
towns n northern Texas.
Although the exped ton has now travelled nearly sx
hunoe1 mcs yet Us laoors have but Just commenced
They are nos leave the bounls Of CIVILIZATION and
traverse 6 country I'd Inhabited, save BY the Indian,
and the deer and brfalo which De hunts. Although
Tho people throughout the Union take deep
interest the undertaking Of which his expedition q
s furerunrer, yet very few realise the great amount
% labor necessary be performed TO put this enterprise
10 successful operation there great amount OF work
b. be done, which will involve the expenditure % large
amount Of mouey. To explore country and open con-
&puols st6gs route for distance OF tSo thousand
miles through country the greater portion OF The way
unnhabted and uncivizsd viii be one u the greatest
rsisvsmsptg of the nineteenth century. But the zen
saSseed tn enterprise viii be untruF IN Their Efforts
&c sc -npsb he sss which they have undertaken and
a he Clmpleon Of the work there IS 10 doubt
raree q the Prominent coniracsrs-Messrs BuE,raed
Gardner and Kinvon-are men o. practical experience
Aaa have established and successfully managed some Of
ne largest stage routes the East and they WILL bring al
uasI knowledge 10 boar IN thor csdoaVor 10 place the
ronts IN sful operation.
TIE expedition which your correspondent act ompanos
havet here ABOUT the bth Tor ~ paso the RIO 6rande,
by yay Of Fort Belsnap ard bort ChhiblrD.