The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-30
Opening OF a Wagon Road from Salt Lake
Ve11ey TO the Columbia River.
from the San Eranctsco Herald

few days ago we Published the order Of General Har
nsy, detailing Capt H. D. walen, Fourth iofantry, in
meno OF suitable for the purpose Of opening good
wagon route bet ween the valley of the Great Salt LAKE
and the Columbia river. This the part OF Gene.
raj Harvey timely and fraugbt with good the
ment OF Oregon and must necessarily reflect benedciay
upoO the State The detachment under Capt waen will
consist Of force sufficiently large for ait the OF
the expedition, and admirably supplied with the requisite
aeria The perfectly uDasturbed condition of Oregon
campaign of General Clarkeleavee General Harney
molesed and ct liberty to employ the force under bis
command in the construction OF great national works, To-
cJeasing the facil,ties for communication between the
eastern ami western extremes Of country, and
perforssipg Mormon exciusiveness with another
those great travel which more th IN
eiee, seem to be dr. d by the Saints. Advces from
Utah lead TO the IN that considerable number
the misguided snd Sin enveoped people OF that region
really to escape from the presence Of Brigham
Young and, his numbering "Dapites but dare not
ture without sufficient escort The opening Of easy
distance and facilitate the OF emigran.s
coast but would military protection to greater
routes 1t would also establish the means OF rapid
mupcaton between troops stationed In Utah aod thoss
IL Oregon and California; and 10 altogether probable
,hat after shall have been completed Utah will be ap
preached for military purposes from the Pacific side in
steao Of agsn escrtpg to tno long and fearfdy yng
marches from the Missouri river.
We append copy of tho letter Of instructions from
General Harvey TO Captain Walen, in which the
with well deserved compliment. to Captain wAllen Il
Is az follows
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF OREGON,
Fort Vancouver, ". T., April %, 1859
CAITAIN-The GENERAL Comm Andiug instcucts me to
enc csc copy OF Special Orders No 40 from head
read nom the Dallea TO the Great Salt Valley com
nuu'caung also with the road TO the Western States
through the South Pass Of the Rocky Mountains.
The portion OF the road from the Daes to the Snake
river 70 be explored you therefore directed
to ascertain II wagon road cannot be M de the John
Day river and thence the twaters the Malneu
folio wing down that TO the Snake river this
investigation should any other present greater ad.
wages you will use your own discretion and judgment in
the selection.
On reaching Snake river follow the best and most expo
dous up that river to either Goose creek, swamp
creek Raft river, any other stream whose direction
ard borders VIII be most for the road TO tue poat
called CITY Rocks On POUR return should you possess
any Information to induce you 20 believe shorter and
more practicable route exists than the
you nave pas.ed yousaIe authorized TO examine it, or
factory report on the subject
You viii communicate with the Commander of the De-
parmenf OF Utah on arriving at City Rocks giving him all
necessary information concerning opening of roaf
You win also placards TO left win such of the
Inhabitants OF Utah that you may meet, notifying emi
grants TO Oregon and Washington Territory OF exs
of this road and details a. will en- aba them 10
travel il without any uncertainty.
measured and record kcpt bv The to,agranSicsi a
with you, who will be charged with tue oonstructon
Of correct map Of the road ana country through when
you will pass, embracing ell toe dets.is.
In organizing your command YOU will confer freely
With Captain Ingas assistant quarter aser, who will
important TIA, you should know the country in advance
ct you p5ne forty fifty miles each day. TO obtsn which
yon, principal guides should be kept at this distance 70
the 'front.' having persons with them by whom they VIII
keep you ADVISED 1T times Of the country over which
they moving copy Of the msp OF the Department
CT Oregon enclosed that you msy correct errors thai
are observed
You further instructed 10 TRANSMIT. the req uired 70
turns reports ssd Abstracts to this office with SUCH fal
aovces IN reference the progress OF the work vito
Wh'cn you are charged Will convey proper under
stsDa'ng nj is accom- pisbment.
Inc general commanding assures You OF bis confidence
10 tnc execution OF this important duty which you have
peen named BY an appreciation Of the interest," AMI expe