Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-12-29
coL,O(RADo-ITs NATURAL PARKS. I

5s C0LORADO-ITS6 NAIVhAL sfAhho.
"a correspondent Of the philadelphia Press
4riyesa glowing account Of San Louis Park, -
Colorado Territory, which calls 70 mind I9 the
description in Rasselas, Of The. EdaPpy
Valley This park was discovered ,byi5the
Spaniards In the sixteenth century. lt COM
prises nine thousand four hundred square miles
ofleyel land, (one-ffth the area OF Pennsy |.
yania). At it's extreme points 1t IS two nun IN
dred miles long, BY seyenty-hYe vide, LIS
physical features. are SAID to De wonderfully at,
tractiye Its surrounded by towering n ~
tains Of majestic beauty, the Sierra NJ drs
enclosing it on the East, and the Sierra Mem
bras on the w est. Beyond these mountains,
again, can occasionally be seen lottler snow
covered peaks, many miles distant, and, in the
very centre Of the park, rise a feW. mountains
and buttes-h ike islands in the midst OF sea
The park is surrounded with numerous natural,
masses, through which commu nicatlons Wlthtihle
external world may be established IhlrtyI
four small streams flow into this park, as also
the Rio del Norte, which, as it approaches the
Gnlf Of Mexico, marks the boundary line be-
tween Texas and Mexico. Nineteen streams
in She Northern portion of the park flow into the
Saltwater Lake, which has no apparent outlet
The vast landscape, half OF which can, on
clear day, be seen from any point, and all OF
which is visible from elevated points, is sald 10
he of Incompatible magnifcence and beauty.
The natural fertility Of the soil is great, and IS
much aided by the waters ct Lake Sah"atch,
that recipient Of numerous streams, whose
boundaries being expanded IN the Spring ana
contracted in the Summer, lrugate mllllons
Of acres Of splendid grass lands, which would
afford paslurage to vast numbers or cattle ana
sheep. It is said that one thousand moving
machines, kept busy cutting grass the whole
Summer, would make no sensible impression
.upon it. The grasses produced are various.
There are extensive groves OF TIMBER, chleny
Dinon, pine and cedar, which, sklrtlng the noun
tain sides, furnish shelter from the winds and
SHOWS of winter, and make it practicable. with
but little trouble or expense, to rear and tatten
immense hocks and herds. There is an endless
profusion Of magnificent cottonWoods,
willows, &c. flowers, wild fruits, berries and
delicate shrubbery growing upon the banks OF
the streams that descend from the mountains
and flow through the plains. The spontaneous
production is said to be truly marvellous at all
Chose points accessible to water The mountain
sides are covered with magnificent growth of
al the varieties of fir, aspen, cedar, hemIock,
iuniper, cottonwood, box elder, &c. Of wild
units there are many varieties, including goose
berries. red, yellow, black and white currants,
white and red plums, raspberries, strawberries,
the service berry, wild grapes, wild asparagus,
potatoes and celery, camart, biscuit root
s>yapapa and arrow root. There is great album
aauce Of game, consisting Of deer, antelope,
elk. bears, wolves, jack rabbits, squirrels, bad
GERS. mountain sheep, wild turkeys, ravens,
cartridges, quails, black birds, ptarmargns, or
snowy pigeons, eagles, and, near the lake, mud
hens, ducks aud other aquatic birds This
favored SPOT is supposed to contain great
mineral wealth, such as gold, SILVER ano
conner. The climate is rcp:esonted 70 De
exceedingly healthy and agreeable, me Ileat
~ the Summer is tempered by the br::ezes
from thu mountains, and the cold OF me winter
Nv a dry atmosphere and the sun Of southern
latitude (below So degrees), which make an
agreeable climate at all seasons. Provisions
are cheap and abundant, as are also sheep and
cattle, The soil is peculiarlp adapted to. the
growth of wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, onions
turnips, rutabagas, beans, &c. The bulk OF the
nopulation is Mexican. interpreted among
Them are few American merchants a ana me- N
ehanics. The great natural advantages OF THIS
reeion must soon attract to large emlgfalon.
nUBLIC SALE OF VALUABLE LAND;
Bv virtue Of decree Of the Circuit Court
Of Fauouier county, pronounced the l2th day
- Dooon,hor 1865 in the suit OF HuntcD VS..