278 EQUIPMENT FOR EMIGRAIfTg, 



the Rocky Mountain? to the falls of the Columbia, (a project quite practi 

 cable, and even now seriously contemplateJ,) will open a new channel for 

 commerce, and tlien our merchantmen and whalers, instead of performing 

 a dangerous homeward-bound voyage of twelve thousand miles, by doubling 

 the Bouthern extremity of Africa, or that of the American continent, will 

 discharge their cargoes at the ports of Ojegon for a re-shipment to ever? 

 part of the Union, and thus unite their aid ic the rc'aglc work of up-build- 

 ing the Great West. 



It is then that the mighty resources of our national confederacy will be- 

 gin more fully to develop themselves, and exhibit Jo an admiring world the 

 giant strides of civilization and improvement, whei: liberty is their birth- 

 right, and freemen are their nursing fathers. It needs no prophetic eye to 

 foresee all tins, nor the effort of centuries to transform this rough sketch cf 

 fancy into a more than sober reality. 



The over-land route, from Independence, Mo., to Fort Hall, aftbrds a 

 good waggon-road ; but that from Fort Hall to Vancouvre is generally con- 

 sidered impassable for other than pack-animals. It is said, however, that 

 a new route has recently been discovered, by whicl? waggons may be taken, 

 without much difficulty, the entire distance. Should tliis repoit prove true, 

 the emigrant may convey everything needea for his comfort during the 

 long journey before him. 



Emigrants should never ^o in companies exi'eeding one hundred and 

 fifty or two hundred persons. The reason for this is obvious, — they 

 will proceed more harmoniously ; there wiU be less difficulty in obtaining 

 food for their animals; less dela3'^s en route; a better opportunity for the 

 procurement of provisions by hunting, and the i?uniber is amply sufficient 

 tor mutual defence. 



From my own experience and observation, I would advise the use of 

 pack-mules or horses altogether, instead of waggons. One pack-horse, 

 suitably laden, would convey an ample supply of provisions and other ne- 

 cessaries for two individuals, if recruited by ot",asional levies upon the 

 game that, in many cases, throng their course. 



A company thus equiped, can travel with far greater expedition and 

 even more comfortably. 



In case of sickness, a litter might easily be constructed for tlie convey- 

 ance of tlie invalid by affixing to a horse two li^'ht poles, some twelve or 

 fifteen feot in length, like the shafts of a \vagon, the smaller extremities 

 being fastened to the saddle and the larger ones left to drag upon the ground, 

 while two si'ort pieces placed transversely upon them, astern the horse, 

 present the fiamework for abed in which tlie sufferer may repose or lie 

 at his ease, with as much quiet as the tender object of a mother's care in 

 hs infantile cradie. 



A aampany acting upon the above suggestions (numbering say two 

 hundred) should employ an efficient pilot, with a commandant and six- 

 teen skilful hunters. 



Strict regulations for its government must also be adopted and en- 

 forced. Each individual should be furnished with a good riding horse or t 

 mule, a good percussion rifle, (bore thirty or thirty-five balls pet lb. "> ant 



