150 Years Ago |
Several families will leave Sangamon County, this
spring, for Oregon and California. Among them are some of
our best citizens. A disposition to emigrate to the
shores of the Pacific, will enable persons who wish to
purchase well improved farms, to invest their money here
to great advantage. The farm offered by Mr. David
Newsome, can be had at a great bargain. —Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), March 26, 1846.
The last advices from Brigham
Young’s Company of Mormons, left them encamped on
the Chariton river. It is said they will wait there to be
joined by another company from Nauvoo.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), March 26, 1846.
HO! FOR OREGON AND
CALIFORNIA.
The company which left
here last week, for California, embraced 15 men, 8 [5?]
women, and 16 children. They had nine waggons. They were
in good spirits, and we trust, will safely reach their
anticipated home.
A company have left Putnam county,
consisting of 16 males and 7 females, for Oregon. John
Robinson, one of the first settlers of Madison County,
was one of their number.
A Chicago paper states that some forty
persons will leave Rockford this spring for the same
destination.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), April 23, 1846.
CAPT. FREEMONT—A
NEW WAGON ROAD TO
OREGON
We are favored with the following
extract of a letter, says the Union of the 16th, received
at Washington, from ‘Jalapa,’ March 27,
1846—
"Letters from Mazatlan of the 4th
inst. State that Captain Freemont, with his corps of
observation, arrived at Suter’s settlement on the
Sacramento, early in January; he is said to have
discovered a good waggon road to Oregon, which is much
shorter than any heretofore traveled. — He had gone
to Monterey, in Upper California, leaving his corps on
the Sacramento."
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), April 30, 1846.
THE "CAMP OF
ISRAEL."
This is the "title and
address," which has been adopted by the company of
Mormons now on their way Westward.
A mail carrier arrived here on Monday
last from the Camp, and reported the pioneer party, or
bend of the Column, as having crossed the tributaries of
the Chariton river, over 150 miles distant. By this time
they are probably on the banks of the Missouri.
Thus far, everything has gone favorably
with the exception of the breaking down of a few
overladen wagons. The party is in good health and spirits
— no dissensions exist; and the
Grand Caravan moves slowly and steadily
and peacefully. Their progress has been materially
retarded by the want of fodder for their live stock;
— the grass not having fairly started, reduced them
to the necessity of laboring for the farmers on the route
to supply the deficiency.
They travel in detached companies, from
five to ten miles apart and in point of order, resemble a
military expedition.
We visited the Camp before it broke up
on the opposite side of the River, and, with other
strangers, were highly interested in the romantic and
exciting display of border enterprise.
It bore the appearance of a moveable
town, the wagons and tents being arranged on either side
of large streams, and public spaces left for the cattle
as we see in some of our River cities. Tattersals never
turned out a lot of such broken down nags as are to be
found attached to this expedition.
If they ever reach California, their
dependence must be partly upon slow traveling and partly
upon miracle — but chiefly upon the latter. —
(Hancock Eagle.)
—Illinois Gazette,
May 9, 1846.
WHAT OF CALIFORNIA?
We learn that there is a military
expedition in contemplation for California. We should now
run no risk of losing that valuable territory.—By
the new route discovered by Capt. Fremont, it can be
reached in sixty or seventy days. The co-operation of our
navy in the Pacific with a force of a thousand men from
this side of the mountains, together with the Americans
now in California, would make all sure. We have heard
General Hardin, of this State, spoken of to command the
expedition,—a cool, deliberate, energetic
officer—true as steel. Who’ll go?
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), May 28, 1846.
We have heard from the California
emigrants as late as the [1]9th of May. They were
progressing slowly, at the rate of about 15 miles a day,
and had reached a point four miles west of Kanzas River.
They were visited daily by Indians— nothing had been
stolen, and the Indians were not regarded with the
slightest apprehension. "The party, without a single
exception, ladies and gentlemen, continued to enjoy most
robust health—which is evinced by appetites that
would do justice to the subjects of a menagerie. If we
come across buffaloes [says a letter] the poor
slaughtered animals will have just cause to regret our
invasion of their far distant pasture grounds." But
one accident had taken place—the birth of a pair of
twins.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), June 4, 1846.
UPPER CALIFORNIA
Extracts from a letter from Captain
Fremont, U. S. Army, dated
Bay of St. Francisco
Yerba Buena, U
California, Jan. 24, 1836 [sic]
Now, as rapidly as possible, I will
tell you where I have been, and where I am going. I
crossed the Rocky Mountains on the main Arkansas, passing
out at its very head-waters; explored the southern shore
of the great Salt Lake, and visited one of its islands.
You know that on every recent map, manuscript or printed,
the whole of the great basin is represented as a sandy
plain, barren, without water, and without grass.
Tell your father that with a volunteer
party of fifteen men, I crossed it between the parallels
of 38° and 49° [39°]. Instead of a plain, I found it,
throughout the whole extent, traversed by parallel ranges
of lofty mountains, their summits white with snow,
(October) while below, the valleys had none. Instead of a
barren country, the mountains were covered with grasses
of the best quality, wooded with several varieties of
trees, and containing more deer and mountains sheep that
we had seen in any previous part of our voyage. So
utterly at variance with every description, from
authentic sources, or from rumor or report, it is fair to
consider this country as hitherto wholly unexplored, and
never before visited by a white man. I met my party at
the rendezvous, a lake southeast of the Pyramid Lake, and
again separated, sending them along the eastern side of
the great sierra, three or four hundred miles in a
southerly direction, where they were to cross into the
valley of the St. Joaquim, near its head.
The eleventh day after leaving them I
reached Captains Sutter’s[,] crossing the sierra on
the 4th of December, before the snow had fallen there.
Now the sierra is absolutely impassable, and the place of
our passage two years ago is luminous with masses of
snow. By the route I have explored I can ride in thirty
five days from the Fontaine qui quille [i.e.,
boullit?]* river to Captain Sutter’s, and for
wagons the road is decidedly far better. I shall make a
short journey up the eastern branch of the Sacramento,
and go from the Tlamath lake into the Wahlahmath valley,
through a pass alluded to in my report; in this way
making the road into Oregon far shorter, and a good road
in place of the present very bad one down the Columbia.
When I shall have make this short exploration, I shall
have explored from beginning to end this road to Oregon.
I have just returned, with my party of
sixteen, from an exploring journey in the Sierra Nevada,
from the neighborhood of Sutter’s to the heads of
the Lake Fork. We got among heavy snows on the mountains
summits, there more rugged that I had elsewhere met them:
suffered again as in our first passage: got among the
"horse thieves," (Indians who lay waste the
California frontier,) fought several, and fought our way
down into the plain again, and back to Sutter’s.
I am going now on business to see some
gentlemen on the coast, and will then join my people, and
complete my survey in this party of the world as rapidly
as possible. The season is now just arriving when
vegetation is coming out in all the beauty I have often
described to you; and in that part of my labors I shall
gratify all my hopes. I find the theory of our great
basin fully confirmed in having for its southern
boundary, ranges of lofty mountains. Sierra, too, is
broader where this chain leaves it, than in any other
part that I have seen. So soon as the proper season
comes, and my animals are rested, we turn our faces
homeward, and be sure that grass will not grow under our
feet. All our people are well, and we have had no
sickness of any kind among us: so that I hope to be able
to bring back with me all that I carried out. Many months
of hardships, close trials and anxieties, have tried me
severely, and my head is turning grey before its time.
_______
*Boiling Spring river, in English. This
is the outside settlement on the Arkansas, about seventy
miles above Bent’s Fort, where old retired hunters
and traders, with Mexican and Indian wives, and their
children, have collected into some villages, called by
the Mexican name for civilized Indian villages, pueblos,
where they raise grain and stock. National
Intelligencer.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), June 11, 1846.
LATE FROM THE MORMON
CAMP
Hancock Eagle, of Friday last, notices
the arrival there of Mr. S. Chamberlain, who left the
most distant camp of the Mormons at Council Bluffs on the
26th, and on his route passed the whole line of Mormon
emigrants. He says that the advance company of the
Mormons, with whom were the Twelve, had a train of one
thousand wagons, and were en-camped on the east bank of
the Missouri River, in the neighborhood of the Council
Bluffs. They were employed in the construction of boats,
for the purpose of crossing the river.
The second company had encamped
temporarily at station No. 2, which has been christened
Mount Pisgah. They mustered about three thousand strong,
and were recruiting their cattle preparatory to a fresh
start. A third company had halted for a similar purpose
at Garden Grove, on the head waters of Grand river, where
they have put in about 2000 acres of corn for the benefit
of the people in general. Between Garden Grove and the
Mississippi River, Mr. Chamberlain counted over one
thousand wagons en route to join the main bodies in
advance.
The whole number of teams attached to
the Mormon expedition, is about three thousand seven
hundred, and it is estimated that each team will average
at least three persons, and perhaps four. The whole
number of souls now on the road may be set down in round
numbers at twelve thousand. From two to three thousand
have disappeared from Nauvoo in various directions. Many
have left for Council Bluffs by the way of the
Mississippi and Missouri rivers—others have
dispersed to parts unknown; and about eight hundred or
less still remain in Illinois. This comprises the entire
Mormon population that once flourished in Hancock. In
their palmy days they probably numbered between fifteen
and sixteen thousand souls, most of whom are now
scattered upon the prairies, bound for the Pacific slope
of the American continent.
Mr. Chamberlain reports that previously
to his leaving, four United States military officers had
arrived at the Mount Pisgah camp, for the purpose of
enlisting five hundred Mormons for the Sante Fe campaign.
They were referred to Head-quarters at Council Bluffs,
for which place they immediately set out. It was supposed
that the force would be enrolled without delay. If so, it
will furnish Col. Kearney with a regiment of well
disciplined soldiers who are already prepared to march.
Mr. Chamberlain represents the health
of the traveling Mormons as good, considering the
exposure to which they have been subjected. They are
carrying on a small trade in provisions with the settlers
in the country, with whom they mingle on friendly terms.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), July 23, 1846.
The Mormon volunteers who have gone
with Gen. Kearney, besides their pay, are to retain their
arms and equipments, when discharged in California.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.) August 13, 1846.
The advance party of the emigrating
Mormons have located on Grand Island in the Platte river,
where they will raise a crop and most of them winter. In
the spring they design to move on to the waters of the
Laramie, on which another farm will be opened and a crop
raised. Those at the Council Bluffs will move to the
Island in the spring; and those east of them, on the head
waters of the Chariton, will move to the Bluffs or some
other point on the Missouri. At this rate, it will
require a long time for all the Mormon Church to reach
California.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.) August 13, 1846.
INTERESTING FROM
CALIFORNIA
Dr. Todd of this city, has politely
furnished us with a letter from his son, William L. Todd,
who went out with the emigration to California, in the
spring of 1845, dated on the 17th of April, from which we
make the following extracts.
He states that the company in which he
belonged, reached Fort Hall, without interruption. At
Fort Hall, and on the road there, Mr. Todd and others,
heard so many reports of the superior advantages of
California over Oregon, that some of his company,
including himself, changed their destination to that
country. Nor had he regretted this change, although he
was not in love with California. He says, "We left
Fort Hall on the 9th of August, in company with ten
waggons, and on St. Mary’s river, we were joined by
fifteen more. We went on smoothly until we reached the
California mountains, which were about 300 miles from our
destination, — There we met with
‘tribulation’ in the extreme. You can form no
idea, nor can I give you any just description of the
evils which beset us. From the time we left the lake on
the north side of the mountains until we arrived at the
Lake on the top, it was one continued jumping from one
rocky cliff to another. We would have to roll over this
big rock, then over that; then there was bridging a
branch; then we had to lift our waggons by main force up
to the top of a ledge of rocks, that it was impossible
for us to reduce, bridge or roll our waggons over, and in
several places, we had to run our waggons broadside off a
ledge, take off our cattle, and throw our waggons round
with handspikes, and heave them up to the top, where our
cattle had been previously taken. Three days were passed
in this vexatious way and at the end of that time, we
found ourselves six miles from the lake on the north side
of the mountain, and you never saw a set of fellows more
happy than when we reached the summit.
"When night came, we were very
glad to take a blanket or buffalo robe, and lay down on
the ‘softest side of a rock,’ and were sorry to
be disturbed from our sweet repose, when we were called
in the morning to our labor. Here our flour gave out, and
we could not get any for love or money. We had to live
about ten days on poor beef until we met the
‘packers,’ who had gone on in advance to Capt.
Sutter’s for provisions, where we got some flour for
20 cents per lb cash."
"On the top of the mountain we
found a beautiful lake, but quite small, and a few miles
farther we came to a fine prairie, about three miles long
by three-fourths of a mile broad, full of springs of
excellent water, and at the lower end a fine branch,
which forms the head of Juba river, and the way we danced
n’Juba’ [sic] there, was a caution to
all future emigrants. The difficulty of getting down the
mountain was not as great as in ascending it, though it
was a work of labor, and looked at the first glance as
impossible to be performed by horsemen, much more by
teams and waggons.
"Solomon Sublette, of St. Louis,
who passed us at the Lake on the north side of the
mountain, told us afterwards that he had no idea we could
get through with our waggons. In some places, we found it
necessary to lock all four of the wheels coming down
hill, and then our waggons came very near turning over
hind part before, on to the cattle. At last, on the 20th
of October, our hardships were ended by our arrival at
Fort Suter, — where we concluded to spend the winter
in the mountains, — that is, myself and waggon
companions, five in number, and Mr. and Mrs. Roulette.
"We made our way to the place at
which I am now writing. It is a beautiful valley, about
ten miles long and two wide, situated between mountains,
which are about 2,000 feet high, from the bed of Cache
Creek, which runs through the valley. In the mountains,
there are deer and bear in abundance, and about 15 miles
from here there are plenty of elk. The valley is about 60
miles from the bay of San Francisco, about 40 from the
Pacific ocean. Bodega is the nearest port.
"As yet I have seen but very
little of the country, and must confess that in regard to
the part I have seen I am not as much pleased as I
expected that I should be. So far as I have seen the
country generally is very mountainous, with here and
there vallies suitable for cultivation. — Those few
vallies are generally taken up by the Mexicans; and
should there be some not taken up, it would be impossible
for foreigners to get hold of them — the recent laws
of Mexico for-bidding any officers of this government to
grant land to foreigners. In fact, the laws are framed to
prevent foreigners from coming to the country unless they
have passports. I have never been asked for my passports,
but if I had, should have been inclined to do, as Dr.
Ball did on a similar requisition, shew my rifle.
"I expect in a few weeks to visit
the southern portion of this country, perhaps as far down
as the Lower Pueblo, 350 miles. I wish to visit San
Louis, San Joseph, Monterey, Yerby Benna (St. Francisco,)
and in the fall design to go up the coast on the north
side of the bay as far as the mountains, for the purpose
of examining that portion of California.
"I should be more pleased with
this country if the seasons were more favorable. From the
1st of May to the 1st of October, it is one continued
drouth; and from the 1st of October to the 1st of May, it
rains, off and on, all the time. The only way by which
crops can with tolerable certainty be secured, is by
irrigation, or the overflow of the ground by some water
course. There are many places where this can never be
cultivated. The best locations are all taken up.
"If there are any persons in
Sangamon who speak of crossing the rocky mountains to
this country, tell them my advice is, to stay at home.
There you are well off. You can enjoy all the comforts of
life, — live under a good government, and have peace
and plenty around you — a country whose soil is not
surpassed by any in the world, having good seasons and
yielding timely crops. Here every thing is on the other
extreme — the government is tyrannical, the weather
unseasonable, poor crops, and the necessaries of life not
to be had except at the most extortioned prices, and
frequently not then. In the winter season, it is
impossible for a horse to go about — the soil being
so loose that the first rains make a perfect mortar of
it, and your horse frequently sinks down so much that you
are compelled to jump off in the mud knee deep to help
him out.
"I do not, however, believe there
was ever a more beautiful climate than we have in this
country. During the whole winter we have delightful
weather, except when it rains. We do not need fire except
for cooking, — nor have I seen during the whole
winter ice thicker than a window glass, — although
we are in sight of snow the whole year round. Most all
day long, we could be seen in winter with our coats off
walking in the neighborhood of our cabin — except
when we were off hunting for a term of 4 or 6 days.
"The Mexicans talk every spring
and fall here of driving the foreigners out of the
country. — They must do it this year, or they never
can do it. There will be a revolution before long, and
probably this country will be re-annexed to the United
States. If here, I will take a hand in it.
"William L.
Todd"
—Sangamo Journal (Springfield, Ill.), August
13, 1846.
Editor’s note: On June 14,
1846, a small band of American settlers raised the Bear
Flag in the plaza at Sonoma. The flag was designed by one
of the participants—William L. Todd.
CALIFORNIA
The letter of Mr. Wm. L. Todd,
published in our last paper, presents California as a
point for emigration, in a most unfavorable light. So far
as Mr. T’s personal knowledge extended, he has no
doubt given a true representation.—Mr. Skinner,
another emigrant, who left Putnam county last spring a
year, writes thus under date of "New Helvetia, Upper
California, 6th April, 1846," — which, as far
as it goes, confirms the statements of the letter before
referred to.
"I have seen considerable of this
country, and the coast part; it is a most delightful
country, very productive, but a great scarcity of timber.
In fact, there is but little or no timber in California,
except in the mountains, where there is some excellent
red wood and pine. Some of the red wood measures 22 1/2
feet in diameter, and three hundred feet high! —
This country is without a government, and as it is
impossible for me to live without being governed, I shall
pick up my traps and go to Oregon. — California is a
delightful country to live in, as regards climate, but I
do not think the Sacramento will ever be much of a
farming country, as all the land you plant needs watering
to insure a crop."
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), August 20, 1846.
FROM CALIFORNIA—THE
EMIGRANTS
Solomon Sublette, with a very small
party, recently arrived at St. Louis from California. He
left "Pueblo de los Angels," about the last of
May,—driving 80 mules. He met a company of emigrants
on the 8th July, 20 miles beyond Green River, numbering
18 waggons, who were progressing without difficulty. Col.
Russell had given up his command on the Platte, beyond
the reach of danger or trouble. It appears that nearly
all his company, including Gov. Boggs, had changed their
course for Oregon. Col. Russell, with 11 men, procured
mules at Fort Laramie, and were proceeding for
California. Mr. Sublet met other companies of emigrants.
The Indians had attempted to rob him of his mules, but
failed. Mr. Sublet was nearly out of provisions at Fort
Laramie, and proceeded from thence to Bent’s Fort,
where he arrived on the 17th August. With the exception
of the sick, the troops had left for Santa Fe. He met the
Mormons and some companies of Col. Price’s regiment
on the way to Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Sublette says that
the Governor of California seemed disposed to encourage
American emigrants; but Gen. Castro was very hostile to
them. He also states that the usual quantity of rain had
fallen in California the past season—contradicting ,
in this respect, the reports of other travelers.
—Sangamo Journal
(Springfield, Ill.), September 17, 1846.
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