188 ROUTES FROM THE UNITED STATES. 



These live in fixed habitations, constructed of wood, and coated with 

 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 efforts for their ameliora- 

 tion be put forth by zealous and devoted men, (and meet with no counter- 

 acting opposition from the united influence of the Mexican Government and 

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

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



There are no settlements of either whites or Mexicans, to my knowledge, 

 throughout the whole extent of this territory. Indians may, therefore, be 

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

 and traders that now and then travel it, or temporarily establish themselves 

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

 nia must be considered without a people or a government. 



The Rio Colorado rises in the U. S. territory about lat. 42° 30' north, 

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

 Arkansas, and empties into the Gulf of Cahfornia near lat. 32'-' north. 

 Following its windino-s 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 water that country. 

 Owing to the rapidity of its current and its frequent falls and cascades, the 

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

 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 

 northern boundary of that province. It rises in the Sierra de ios Mimbros, 

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

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

 Colorodo, at lat. 32° 15' nortii, long. 114° 27' west. 



Its whole length is about eight hundred miles, for most of which distance 

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

 at its mouth. 



These two rivers are said to afllbrd immense quantities of fish, especially 

 near their confluence with the Gulf of Cahfornia. 



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

 finny 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 genuine mother pearl. A small trade in the shells of the pearl 

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

 Spaniards, which yields a very large profit, — a single shell frequently 

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

 ear-ornaments, and exhibit no little taste in their shape and finish. 



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

 sea from several feasible passes through the mountain ranges forming its 

 eastern boundary. 



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

 South Pass, — thence, to the Great Salt Lake by Bear river valley, — thenoo 



