232 



CHAPTER XXII. 



Uintah trade.— Snake Indians; tliei"- country and character.— Description of Upper 

 California.— The Eai^tern iSeclion.— Great Sah Lake and circumjacent country. — 

 Desert. — Digger country, and regions soulh. — Fertility of soil. — Prevailing rock and 

 minerals. — Abundance of wild fruit, grain, and game. — Valley of the Colorado. — • 

 Magnificent scenery. — Valleys of the Uintah and other rivers. — Vicinity of the 

 Gila. — Face of the country, soil &c. — Sweet spots. — Mildness of climate, and its 

 healthiness. — The natives. — Sparsity of inhabitants.---No government.— All about 

 the Colorado and Gila rivers. — Abundance of fish. — Trade in pearl oyster-shells. — 

 Practicable routes from the United States. 



In preceding remarks relative to reg^ions coming under present observa- 

 tion, 1 have contined myself to generalities, for the reason, that less interest 

 is felt by the American public, in a minute description of the rivers, moun- 

 tains, valleys, etc., so far within the limits of Mexico, than in one connected 

 witli U. S. Territories ; consequently the reader must rest contented with 

 greater conciseness in subsequent pages, until he is again introduced to the 

 interesting localities of his own country. 



Roubideau's Fort is situated on the right bank of the Uintah, in lat. 40° 

 2T 45" north, long. 109° 56' 42'' west. The trade of this post is con- 

 ducted pruicipally witii the trapping parties frequenting the Big Bear, 

 Green, Grand, and the Colorado rivers, with their numerous tributaries, in 

 search of fur-bearing game. 



A small business is also carried on with the Snake and Utah Indians, 

 living in the neighborhood of this e.-<tablishment. The common articles of 

 dealing arc horses, with beaver, otter, doer, sheep, and elk skins, in barter 

 for amintmition, fire-arms, knives, tobacco, beads, awls, &c. 



The Utahs and Snakes aflbrd some of the largest and best finished sheep 

 and deer skins I ever beheld. — a single skin iometimes being amply suffi- 

 cient for common sized pantaloons. Thi'se skins are dressed so neatly 

 as frequently to attain a snowy whitene.ss, and possess the softness of 

 velvet. 



They may be purchased for the trifilng consideration of eight or ten charges 

 of ammunition each, or two or three awls, or any other (hing of propor- 

 tional value. Sk.ns are very abundant in these parts, as the natives, owing 

 to the scarcity of bufliilo, sub.-ist entirely upon small ga:ne, which is found 

 in immense quantities. This trade is quite profitable. The articles pro- 

 cured so cheaply, when taken to Santa Fe and the neighboring towns, find 

 a ready cash market at prices ranging from one to two dollars each. 



The Snakes, or Shoshones, live in the eastern part of Oregon and in 

 Upper California, upon the waters of the Great Snake and Bear rivers, and 

 the two streams which unite to form the Colorado. 



