The New York herald., 1870-01-29
LECTURES LAST NIGHT.
the COLORADO PLATEAU.

Lecture by Professor j. b. Ncwbcrry Before
the American Institute.
The concluding lecture OF the course given this
season by the distinguished gentleman engaged by
the directory OF the American Institute was de-
vered In the Cooper Institute last night, before
large audience, by Professor J. 8. New
berry, Of Columbia College Tne title OF the
lecture was 'The Colorado Plateau; ts Canons
and Ruined Cities" Professor Newberry illus
trated his descriptions Of scenes and Incidents
IN the wild regions OF the great West bordering on
the Great and Little Colorado rivers oy large maps
ana sketches. and by admirable painting In oil Of
part OF the calon on the Colorado where the
rocks on either side OF the deep runnlng and mar
row river rise to the great height OF 5000 feet The
preclptous cifs and gullies by which the plateau OF
tue Coorado Is cut up IN every direction were also
represented In carefully prepared sketch.
Tne learned lecturer commenced by long and
elaborate description or the country around Fort
Yuma, nom which place he, with Lieutenant Whip
pie and the United States surveying party. started
carry IN January 1858, on voyage OF discovery up
the COLORADO. The steamer provided for the party
was sixteen by thirteen In dimensions. steamed
III ner build that much ingenuity was exercised IN
her construction 70 render her unit FOR SER
BY BY the officers at the frontier VI" post ''ei o.
Fort fuma ana the whole region round about
was terra f'acogntta TO the people In the settle
lnents. Three hundred miles above the fort the
scenery was exceedingly picturesque Mountains OF
volcanic origin lifted their tall heads above tue
pain, ana IN the light OF the sun showed all the
colors OF the ranbow the giant cactus stood out IN
roeI against the sky from the level, ARID surface
surrounding these mountains and the scene was
one OF sterile widness. In ascending the river no
rapids were met out owing to the necessity OF
cessary SLOW Hair way M towards me sores Of tne
river community OF Indians was encountered which
IN their habits and conouct differed widely from all
Otner tribes IN the West. They mad neither fear nor
respect for the whites; were exceedingly handsome
very tal and symmetrical and the finest men OF their
race. They were very courageous and were armed
win clubs and arrows. Their mode OF fighting Is to
IRE their arrows and then charge their foes, ana
engage them . hand to nand Iney 1--we m a state
NE IN this valley, but the natives cultivate the soil
Ia sort OF way and raise wheat and corn in sum-
mentioned a curious TACT concerning THESE
indians. In their pastmes or outdoor sports
green' aud the youngsters who look on aud
applaud. The Climate IS exceedingly satisfactory.
elghty-uve degrees, but IN summer it depends en-
trcy on the length OF the Thermometer. These In
dams are, however more Constant than their cli-
Al Instance 81 native impsrtnrbabity IN the case Of
sNtWhoo,n who very foolishly supposed that tho
white me men were as msgnanimous as himself, ana ana
back 70 enlighten hlm on tho subject was wen given
manaer Of living among the Indians. and said that no
gallant r enyalrous traits were TO be discovered In
tnelr character. Tue calOns are one thousand two
hundred to three thousand feet deep and very
narrow, and the navigation through them Is
exceedingly difficult and dangerous. At the en-.
trance to the big caAon, three hundred miles from
any white settlement, peach orchards were found
IN the desert about the wells grown from seed
brought from Mexico two hundred years ago.
The tribe OF Macees Indians discovered by
the party when they abandoned the steamer
and crossed the mountains TO where the
river made curve to the nOrthward were somew hat
civilized. They had cisterns below the town-which
were built on hlgn bluff and composed OF stone
houses-forithe supply OF fresh water, andcultivaed
the low lands 10 the fullest extent. The surveying
party was well received by these Indians and
treated with marked distinction. Professor New
berry gave an interesting history or the survey OF
The Colorado region, but as II has already been pub
llshed III another form iu report s not necessary