The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-04-02
THE ELKO INDEPENDENT
SATURDAY. APRIL =. isIo.
Hssss Il Northern rr.y,l.

ana OantornlA On the south and Oregon and
Idaho on the north. II was established sorty-
ono years ago. during the administration Of
James Monroe, being the result Of an adjust
ment Of an ancient and complicated network
Of misunderstanding and difficulties growing
out Of the conflicting claims of tho United
States, England, France and Spain to the
Northwest and Pacific TERRITORY. The acquisi-
tion Of the territory of Louisiana during JEFF
Persons administration made the United
States party in interest between the claims of
England on the north and Spain on the SOUTH
The original French claims had never been de-
fined by treaty stipulations, nor secured by
actual occupancy. The Hudson Bay Compa-
ny was really in possession of the country as
far south as the Humboldt river, while Spain,
demanded exclusive control of the country as
far north rs Vancouver's Island. The. dis
pute was finally terminated, as far as Spain
and the United States were concerned, by the
treaty Of 1919, which fixed the northern limit
of Spanish territory, then included under the
general term Of California, at the 42d paraI-
lei. The boundary Of the British possessions
was not settled until long after, and came
near involving the United States in a war un-
der the rallying cry of "Fifty-four forty or
fight" before it was eventually fixed on the
forty-ninth parallel. This old, historical land
mark first described by the diplomatic grey
boards upon the then blank chart of this un-
known country-old ministers sitting in SOL
emn state around a green table under the
crimson curtains of proud, imperial court
this venerable line has become permanently
engrafted upon the geography of modern
times. No astronomers observations nor sur
veyor's chain indicated the point where the
gorgeous banner Of old Spain ceased to have
q legal right or the American trapper could
feel himself secure under the protection of
his native Government. The country was an
untraversed wilderness Of mountain and des-
ert, inhabited by hostile Indians, and known
only in general outline by the wandering fur
trader; but this theoretical line of diplomat
lists became the basis of a lasting peace be-
tween the two countries, and in course of time
was accepted by the new Government of Mex
leo and served as a permanent boundary be-
tween the two nations until the close of the
Mexican war. Having peacefully separated
three nations for nearly thirty years, it was
then pressed into further service as the boun-
dairy between the old American territory of Ore
gon, extending from the Pacific to the Rocky
mountains, and the new purchase of Califor-
MIA, then including the present State of Ne
vada. This old line along the forty-second
parallel has remained the one thing perma-
nent among the many things transitory.
Proud old Spain, in whose chambers the line
was first traced whose possessions then ex-
tended around the world, who acknowledged
no superior on land or sea, has lost her glory
and passed away into comparative oblivion.
The ancient line of princes through whom the
Louisiana purchase was made have long since
ceased to reign in France; the flag of st.
George no longer waves upon the banks of the
Columbia; the United States has become one
of the leading powers of the world; and Mex
leo has retired her borders to more southern
regions; but that old line still finds place
upon the maps, and still separates political or
CARNATIONS.
The parallel was probably originally selected
for geographical reasons. The great divide
between the waters flowing north and south
runs nearly parallel with this degree. The
tributary streams of the Humboldt and the
Columbia have their origin near this lne
sometimes crossing 1t after trayersing short
distance. The Cope district, in Elko county
is located near the boundary, but on the head
waters Of the 0wyhee river, flowing north
ward; the tributaries Of Quin river rise in
the mountains Of southeastern Oregon, cross
ing the State line few miles above Camp Nc
Dermit. flowing thence southwark into tho
Humboldt river.
Hill Beachey's daily line Of stages from the
railroad at Winnemucca to Idaho follows the
latter valley Of Quin river, through sage
brush country, over the divide between the
waters Of the Columbia and the Colorado 10
the elevated table lands of the Owyhee:
thence across the owyhee river, up Jordan
valley, eastward to Silver City, which is stu
ated at the head Of a long canyon at the foot
OF mountain similar TO Hamilton, aid, like
White Pine, is subject to storms and winds pc.
culiar to that locality. Crossing this stormy
Owyhee range. the road descends 10 the wide
plains OF Snake river. The view from the
summit Of this range. and especially from the
nights Of the majestic War Eagle mountain,
the mother Of most of the mineral wealth of
Owyhee country, Is very beautiful and
impressive. Natural objects not less than Ave
hundred miles apart are brought into distinct