New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23
TIE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

(all of it not embraced within the present
Statel, portion of what was Utah, and q s
each from Nebraska and New-Mexco' n'h''e
its area hardly less than Half Milllon '4"li
miles. Its backbone is tue Rocky houn'a.u''
whereof IL includes nearly bali tne onni0
LENGTH. and its waters flow into the Coiuhloi"'
Che Color,do the Rio Grande del Norte' the
nJ;.so,,,; ODD the Arkansas, respectively.
90. Ior,o rortion of this great area forms e1-
tons;ve tracts of arid desert, when may posi-
NJ bs made of some slight value as pasturage,
1T which can never be inhabited by civil
lied population. 1t will grow neither Gram
nor Vegetables, unless by the aid of irrigation,
which is only practicable on very limited
,rsas near the mountains aud streams. In and
near the mountains, indeed, there are occasional
showers Of rain throughout the Summer, and
Winter grains, grasses, and vegetables, grow
moderately well here. The several Parks
are level, often fertile, wales in the heart OF the
Rocky Mountains, each several hundreds of
square miles in extent and said to be delight
fully attractive. But their elevation above the
sea-level can hardly be less than six thousand
feet-the plain this side of the mountains being
fully five thousaHd-sO that frOsts must be
about as frequent here as fogs in New-Iork
or New-England valley. The plains and wales
have little or no timber; the mountains have
enough; and the salubrity of the whole region
is undeniable. 1t is the Switzerland Of Amer
ica, plus (Or minus) its gold-mines, of which
more anon.
The Governor of this new Territory is Mr..
William Glpin from Western Missouri, whence
he has been accustomed to indite letters on the
West Of high poetic merit Living at INDIE
pendence, Mr.. Gilpin was won't to demonstrate
the approaching inauguration of that city as the
commercial emporium of the globe, which
demonstrations have not yet been actualized.
In fact we believe Independence has been run
ming down ever since Gov. Gilpin commenced
writing it up, so that it is now but a relic Of
what it was and barely shadow of what the
Governor insists that it shall be. But prophets
seldom live to witness the triumph of their
VACCINATIONS.
Gov. Gilpin has succeeded in assembling a
Legislature at Denver, which is the Territorial
capital, and well may be, since it probably
contains tho only brick buildings within the
Territorial limits. Denver is q city of great
enterprise but of moderate prosperity, its bust
Ress depending on the prOductveness of the
adjacent gOld-nines on the one side and on the
influx Of godseeking greenhorns from the States
on the other; and as the g)ld-banks have been
- h. ba rrp
horns have almost ceased to flow in, so that the
grOg-shops and gamblers of the metropolis begin
to zee hard times.
This however We do not learn from Gov.
Gilpin's Message, unless infereDtially The
Governor recommends an organization of the
Militia Of Colorado; claims for her a popula-
ton of 10000 (Which we greatly doubt, un-
less be includes the Indians, whom lie estimates
ut $4,000, and whom we certify to be in the
main about the poorest specimens Of Humanity
we ever metz; dilates on the future Pacific
Railroad, which he Gays recent exploration
has shown will pass through Denver and up
Vasquez Fork, Clear Greek, otherwise through
the Middle Park. and so over to Salt Lake,
shortening the route by the North Platte and
the South Pass some two hundred miles. He
says this route fulflls all the requirements of
economical construction, easy transit, &C.,
which we are very glad to hear.
On the ticklish subject Of Gold, the Govern
or is cautious and vague in his statements
Having stated that but three years have
elapsed since the first exploration Of this
region by pioneer gOld-seekers and that oil that
exists Of the evidences of civilization has been
achieved meantime by labor, he proceeds:
thus experience and labor establish many facts.
The existence Of the precious and rare metals In alb
selutely inexhaustibe abundance aud variety; the
universal fertility OF the soil, well upon the Hanks
OF the great mOuntsns as upon the plains and within
the park; the uniform splendor and saubrty of the
climate; the facility Of transit and penetration by
roads over all varieties of suraee these facts
clusively established demonstrate that our country
IL supremey favored by nature with all the elements
which promise unrvaled rapidly of progress, pros
peTlty and power.
Z" as the extraction of gold with which our great
mountains are permeated fOrms The primary occupa-
ton OF our industrial population, and supplies The
medium Of commerce, recommend that tie cOnOi-
dlion and wants of our mining region be specially
reported 10 the Federal Congress. To aid in perfect
ing the processes of economical mining, ana indef-
ney increase the production Of the precious metals
and coin, the liberal assistance Of the Government
and Of Science ought TO be invoked, and it win be
pyen."
These be good words; but, knowing what
we do Of Gov. Gilpin's sanguine temperament,
aud the roseate hues wherein every thing
Rocky MOuntainish is presented to his mind,
we could not conscientiOusly advise any one to
stake his pile on the gold mines of Colorado.
What "tbe liberal assistance of the Govern
a. meDt and of science" may hereafter achieve,