CHAPTER XVI. 
From the Mormon road to the Pacific. 
Mormon travellers — Cajon Pass.—Timber.—Express from Jarupa.—Disbanding of party.—Cocomonga.—Calmillas.—El Monte.—• 
Mormons at San Bernardino.—Mission of San Gabriel.—Los Angeles.—Sale of property.—San Pedro. 
March 14— Camp 147.—At sunrise we resumed the survey. The road was good ; the air 
calm and clear. A short distance above our last camp the valley became contracted, and in 
the midst of it were rocky hills in pyramidal forms, dividing the river into two large brooks, 
which encompassed-the bottom-lands, and united far below, forming a large island. At length, 
as we proceeded, in order to shorten the distance, the road again left the valley, and crossed a 
gravelly ridge, where we met a small party of Mormons en route for Salt Lake City. They 
informed us of the melancholy fate of the lamented Capt. Gunnison and a portion of his party, 
hut professed to have no fears themselves of the Pah Utalis, because, they said, the Indians were 
at peace with Mormons. Although it may be in accordance with an old system of the Mexican 
government, it is a new feature in ours, for one State or Territory to be at peace with a band of 
Indians known to be hostile to, or at war with the rest. For many years it has been the practice 
of the Apaches, who reside upon the frontiers of Chihuahua and Sonora, when meditating an 
attack upon one, to make peace with the other. The mules and horses then taken are hastily 
driven to the neighboring State, and there disjrosed of at low prices. But the practice should 
not be permitted within our limits. 
Having made a noon halt to graze the mules, we continued our journey until dark ; and, in 
an inviting part of the valley, encamped, after a march of twenty-two miles. 
March 15— Camp 148.—We were awakened this morning by a heavy shower of rain ; but 
we packed up, and moved onward, passing a very pretty country, well adapted for settlement. 
It is said that the Mormons propose soon to take possession of it. 
Having travelled upon the right bank of the river about fifteen miles, in a course nearly 
southwest, we arrived at a bend where the road to the Cajon separates from the valley. We 
crossed the stream; here about 150 feet wide, and in places 24 feet deep; and, at the foot of the 
left bank, halted for rest and refreshment. Noticing several patches of verdure upon the steep 
slopes, we ascended, and found large springs of water gushing from the bank about fifty feet 
above the river, having a temperature of 66°.4 Fahrenheit, which we may, therefore, adopt as, 
approximately, the mean temperature at this place. 
Having rested until 3.30 p. m., the survey was continued. From the top of the bank, some 
100 feet high, we looked back upon the pretty valley, its meandering stream traceable to a 
great distance by a fringe of foliage. Doubtless ere long it will be covered with villages and 
farms. Our course, now directed towards an apparent break in the range near San Bernardino 
mountain, is nearly south 38° west by compass; the magnetic variation being about 14° east of 
north. We are ascending the prairie slope, which, extending to the base of the great Sierra, 
leads to every pass in the chain which might communicate with the Tulare valley. Our pro¬ 
visions are so nearly exhausted, as to place it out of our power to make an examination of those 
passes without first obtaining an additional supply. Lieut. Jones, with the escort, has been 
already obliged, on this account, to push ahead for the settlements. Therefore we propose to 
follow him and proceed by the shorter route through the Cajon, continuing to take notes and 
make sketches of the route we traverse. 
17 h 
