New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-15
20 in this mail, which hava been accumu'aune 'or
the last ten DAYS; and hereafter regular trI-weeky


mail will r,n rcgularly. cannot SEQ, for my part,
why this line was not extended to Fort burton; 'no'
law establishes line from Salt Lake City 10 ON
burton. and the Post-ofice Department see proper
70 le. the contract for portion Of the route regard
js Of the inconvenience 20 parties at Burton OF Dc
vond this point. BY letting the contract oh'y 70
Virginia City hundreds are deprived OF mai 'ac'h-
ties, 20 say nothing of Government oihciiS VINO are
dependent on this lire for Official Communication
with Washington It is, to say The leest, most
unfortunate oversight, and one hope viii BE- rene
died as soon as 1t is made known to the Depart
meut.
Nothing has been heard from Gen. Sully's COM
mand, but it is supposed 10 be on the road to the
Yellowstone county. Unless IL makes further pro-
ercss than it did last year, the Indians Will die OF
old are before it meets them. Quite largo portion
of tho freight this season has been brought across
the uains OF IN other words, overland yet consid-
cradle portion has come by water to Fort benton,
and thence to this place. Probably not lar inh'
eight hundred tons, including Indians gooas' nave
been shipped this way, demonstrating 70 cernln'!
that tho river route is the cheapest, most IcAaDe'
and quickest that can be taken.
With the exception Of the steamer Benton Inc
81. Louis steamboatmen hare proved themselves
totally incompetent 10 successfully navigate the
Missouri river TO the head of nay CATION. This has
been abundantly shown, and even acknowledged by
emselyes-that the class of boats used were utter
" nnGt lor the trade. They draw too much water
we're loaded too heaviy--and in most instances
lacked the power TO stom the current. class OF
boats in this trade, drawing not over three 1eet OF
water, can each make the trip from 1t. LOUIS 70
Fort Benton in forty days and carry one hundred
ana fifty tons of freight without the least chance
Of faiure-tbis freight, at ten cents per pound,
would amount TO thirty thousand dcllaFs-besiGes
what might be collected from passengers, enough
in all conscience 10 satisfy any reasonable man, es
to the policy Of such an undertaking.
Yet in the face of this fact which every one here
is cognizant of, 81. Louis steamboatmen send up
class of boats drawing from 81 10 ~ feet water, and
loaded with FROM two TO three hundred tons OF
freight, which they arc compelled 10 leave on the
banks of the Missouri several hundred miles below
the point of destination on account Of the total IN
fitness of tho boats and then ley all the blame on
the uncertainties of the navigation Of the Missouri
above Milk River.
Now assert land defy contradiction that q
boat drawing three feet Of water can go to Fort
Benton and carry one hundred and fifty tons Of
freight any year, and nscer ,oant for cater. True
the current above the Muscle Shcl will be strong
but this is contingency that must DO provided FOL
at the start.
In ordcr to secure the advantage of the highest
stage of water the boats should be Mt Fort Union by
the 10th Of May at least. II is to be hoped that
next year different class of steamboatmen will be
found on the waters of tho upper Missour-men
whose loyalty is unques;ionable, and who will take
pride in developing this region Of our country, as
well as securing for themselves competency amply
sufficient for their labors. The door is open-t
only requires capital and enterprise, With good man.
agement, 10 secure the prize.
Yours truly, CAD. l.. CPsos.