4 
4 
ve 
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Colorado River of the West. 389 
Santa Fé to Utah, and having explored the region south of the Great 
Salt Lake, pursued a southwesterly course, towards the sources of the 
Virgin, and then crossed to the Colorado, which he reached at a point 
appears to have been almost identical with that attained, from the 
opposite direction, by Cardinas, more than two centuries before. 
_ From this time the river was searcely approached, excepting by an occa- 
sional trapper, or some overland party crossing the lower portion, en route 
to California. A considerable part of the emigration, induced by the 
gold discoveries in that region, passed through New Mexico, by way of 
the Gila, and the travellers were subjected to molestation from the Yumas. 
In 1850 a detachment of troops was sent to the mouth of the Gila to 
keep these Indians under control, and not long afterwards a military post, 
t 
head of the Gulf of California, and directed Lieutenant Derby, topo- 
graphical engineers, to make a reconnaissance, with a view of establish- 
boats. 
_In 1851, Captain Si es, U. S. topographical engineers, with a party 
ric compas > Hag i westwa He struck 
toms generally to agree with the deseriptions of the ear! explorers. The 
descent was aoxitennied with hardship and danger. — the Mojaves 
and Yumas were hostile, and the difficulty of travelling near the river 
Was extreme, owing to the chains of rugged and precipitous mountains 
that crossed the valley. The summer heats had parched and withered 
a ed 
The Mojaves were friendly, furnishing provis! 
ply was nearly exhaust sending gu 
h 
when seen by Captain Sitgreaves, and 
