ol points of oe of the Mormon emigration near Florence, above the 
- mouth of the Platte; the distance of land transportation is . favor 
of the latter. The —, of wood along the Platte is 
very seld 
route could be found leading up Behe Fork towards its source, an 
then crossing over to the Platte—it should be exam 
by steamboats up the Missouri. I believe the steamboat transportatior 
perfectly practicable up to Fort Pierre for any requisite amount ofa 
provisions and stores, yet they could not be relied upon to reach there 
before the 15th of July, and the cost would be considerable. Th 
a land eee would then be 323 miles. But the road, even in 
ood seasons is rough and contains numerous hills, requiring heavy 
river, the road is in the last ‘degree bad at all times; there is reason, 
however, to think that this portion could be avoided. But when we 
consider that the os for transportation from Fort Pierre to 5 
aramie must be procured from the States at a distance of 500 to 
miles, it is. doubtful “if at t any time economy would select this rotite a8 
_ a channel through which to supply Fort Laramie. 4 
ery much in the same light must we view the project of supplying 
Fort Laramie from “ mouth of Rapid river, supposing a post estab- 
lished at that point, viz: the distance one hundred to four hundred — 
miles, from which the means of land transportation must be obtained 
and the probable difficulties of the route itself. This proposed road — 
would have to keep on the divide north or south of Rapid river, and — 
most probably to the north, or if it entered the valley would be forced 
to cross the stream frequently, or take again to the bluffs. Unlike 
the: Platte, or the main ortion of White river now followed by the 
ut 
bei we should have to make frequent deto s to find % 
confined to the divide. 4 urs to find camps if we are 
e country is sandy and ag road would be good i 
there i is | g00 dg good in wet weather: 
5 acne from Sioux City to Fort = “the sg Fire 
Steel or weit Mad there is a ae nh 
