288 ROUTES FROM THE UNITED STATES. 



These live in fixed habitations, con!?tructed of wood, and coated witll 

 earth, in a conical form, much like Pawnee huts. 



The condition and character of these tribes present most flattering in- 

 ducements for missionary enterprise ; and, should eifort^ for their ameliora- 

 tion be put forth by zealous and de\'oted men, (and meet wixh no counter- 

 acting opposition from the united influence of the Mexican Government and 

 the narrow minded bigotry of an intolerent clergy and priost-ridden people,) 

 a glorious fruition of their most sanguine hopes might soon be expected. 



There are no settlements of either whites or Mexican.>, to my knowledge 

 throughout the whole extent of this territory. Indians may, theiefore, bs 

 considered its only inhabitants, other than the strolhng parties of trappers 

 and traders that now and then travel it, or temporarily psial)l;sh themselves 

 within its liraits. Of course then the Eastern Division of Upper Califor- 

 nia must be considered without a people or a government. 



Tiie Ri( Colorado rises in the U. S. territory about lat. 42° SO' nortli, 

 interlocking with the head waters of the Columbia, IMissouri, Platte, and 

 Arkansas, and em.pties into the Gulf of California near lat. 32^ north. 

 Following its windings it is some twelve or fifteen hundred miles in length. 

 This stream with its numerous tributaries is the only river worth naming in 

 Eastern California, and, to a great extent, serves to watei- tliat countiy. 

 Ov/ing to the rapidity of its current and its frequent fall?, and cascades, the 

 navigation is entirely destroyed, till within about one hundred miles of ita 

 mouth, at the head of tide water ; from this on no further interruption oc- 

 curs, and the depth is sufficient for vessels bearing several hundred tons 

 burthen. 



The Gila is properly a river of Sonora, though commonly regarded as the 

 nortliem boundary of that province. It rises in the Sierra de los Mimbros, 

 near lat. 33° 25' 'north, long. 106° 15' west from Greenwich, and pursues 

 a west-bcuthwesterly course till it discharges itself into the Bay of the 

 Colorodo, at lat. 32° 15' north, long. 114«> 27' west. 



Its wjiole length is about eight hundred miles, for most of wliich distance 

 navigation is impracticable, with the exception of some forty miles or more 

 at its mouth. 



Tht se two rivers are said to aflTord immense quantities of fish, especially 

 near their confluence with the Gulf of Cahfornia. 



The Gulf also contains a large variety and exliaustless supplies of the 

 fiimy tribe, together with several species of the crustaceous and testaceous 

 order. Among the last named are lobsters, crabs, clams, and oysters. 



Oysters are very numerous and of an excellent quality, including in 

 variety the gonuine mother pearl. A small trade in the shells of the pearl 

 oyster is carried on with the Arapahos, Chyennes, and Sioux, by the 

 apaiii irds, which yields a very large profit,— a single shell frequently 

 bringing from six to eight robes. These Indians make use of them for 

 tar-oraaments, and exhibit no little taste in their shape and finish. 



The eastern section of Upper California is accessible by land as well aa 

 «ea from several feasible passe." through the mountain ranges forming iti 

 rastem kmndary. 



The best lancf routes for waggons from the United States is through the 

 South Pass, — thence, to the (ireat Salt I^ake by Bear river valley, — ihenc* 



