150 Years Ago"HO! FOR OREGON AND
CALIFORNIA"
"THE 'CAMP OF ISRAEL.'" |
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. |
