1.^. 



Ex. Doc. No. 41. * I 561 



f 



k 



a point of honoi to bring '^-a^ons through to tlie Pacific; and so I 

 was retarded m making and finding a road for them. . From this 

 road, any that ma^ follow will have various advantarres. The 

 hreaking the track, often through thickets of mezquite "and other 

 thornv hushft.s. althnnah wnrl..,! .» K,. ..;..„„„„ ^^^g ^^ laborious 



Missouri, from 



Hhat I habitually relieved the front wagons about every hour; but a 

 C team on a firm, open prairie, labors much less, if on a beaten'track, 

 - Much of the difficult ground on the Gila, consisting of light porous 

 clay, becomes a good beaten road. My journal and sketch indi- 

 cate some points where the road may be shortened; but, between 

 the Ojo de Vaca and the point of leaving the San Pedro river, it 

 iis probable that between 80 and 100 miles may be saved, and some 

 bad'road avoided. It is only necessary for a small experienced 

 party, well provided with water, (with Indian guides, if practica-' 

 ble,) to explore the prairie, and discover the watering places.. 

 The direct distance is about 160 miles. ^ '^ 



. The worst road is on the Rio Grande, opposite the upper and 

 middle part of the Jorna(fa del Muerto. It may probably be avoided 

 by coming the Joriaada road half way down orrnore,and then cross- 

 ing to the west side. I have reason to believe that there are gaps' 

 m the mountains, and opposite where my road becomes gojod. This 

 assumes that the great highway will pass as far north as Santa F^l 

 which may not be the case. 



. The/country from the Rio Grande to Tueson is covered with 



grama grass, oil which animals, moderately worked, will fatten in 

 winter. 



An emigrant company may leave Independenccj ^ 



June lOj to late in August, or Van Burenj Arkansas, later. It will 

 subsisl^ a short time on buffaloes, and be able Jo lay up much of the 

 meat, dried or salted. In New Mexico, it may rest, make repairs, 

 and obtain supplies — particularly of mules, sheep, and cattle 

 which, in that grazing country, will be found cheap; it may pass 

 through settlements for 250 miles; and they will be much extended 

 ID the rich river bottoms to the south, when the Indians shall be 

 subdued. , ' 



I brought to California both beeves and sheep; the latter did, 

 perhaps, the best, requiring little water; they gave no txouble; two 

 or three men can guard and drive a thousand. At Tueson, or at 

 the Pimo villages, fresh supplies may be obtained. The Pimosand 

 Maracopas, 15 or 20,000 in number, wonderfully honest and friendly 

 to strangers, raise corn and wheat, which they grind and sell cheaply 

 for bleached domestics, summer clothing of all sorts, showy cotton 

 handkerchiefs, and white beads. They also have a few mules and 

 cattle. I gave them some breeding sheep. Oxen will not do well 

 for draught, their feet become tender; and west of the Pimos, their 

 food is not found sufficient or suitable; mules require no shoes; I 

 cached a large quantity on the Gila, having used none. 



Undoubtedly, the fine bottom land of the Colorado, if not of the 

 Crila, will soon be settled; then all difficulty will be removed. The 

 'Crossiniy is about 100 miles from the mouth, and about 60 above 



36 



