UL
LEW
1,
Jo
B. C. HICKOK, Editor,
a N. WORDEW, Printer.
LEWISBURG, UNION CO. PA.; JANUARY 8, 1851.
Volume VH, Niunber 41.
Whole Mumber 353.
SB
Rff'-fJ
w minsiiiiT '.milt jocim.
Jnutd on WeJnudtiy morning! at Ieirubnrg,
Union tounty, Pennsylvania.
reJTJrX rw year, for rath artaaiK bm advanfa;
f l.Ti. if pSKt within Ihrer moathi ; (2.110 if paid wilhio a
ift; $2.'D if ant paid bt fan-the wpin; aeeatafir
rinsle noiotv. SabwripU for ix mouth, or l--a, t
h paid in ulnm. Wsoontianum optional with tht
ruNi.licr. exn-pt when th. Trar M paid up.
AdverttsemaBta handaoiarlT hiacruil at SO ernta aw
iun, w-fc. $! Ibar wraka. S a rar: two aqnarra,
ft f M tanotha. 7 for a yrar. Mmnt:l adTcrkao
ovnta. nnt -xi-linit nt tourth of roinnin. f 10.
JltB WORK ami naual adnrtiaaoi-oia to.U Mia
vivaiunaV'a-inordciiTrfu).
Oammonieariona oolkitcd oa tl iralijrrt of graarai
nu-rrat not ariUuB th fanfl of party or awrUrian ronteat.
All ltra orart feme pnrt-paid. acrompann-d bT tbreal
adiia of oxj writrr, to wirr lu-ntion. TiKe
dinytrd to iuxt c. hhkos. Kai, sartor and thoaa on
tMBfr on alarkct atratt, uctw-n ocn ana imm.rr
the roctOIBce.
O. X. WOf.PEX, Proprietor.
From tht National Era.
Hark! the hor of mI...sht, rb,m,n, on tnr
aikntair; rm
iiuurd ba vrrj wild emotion, taniad mqr wearr
llrre. hni.1 my quirt Breaide, wh.rc the looming tbad-
oa slide.
I intoka thy fcilliful preenre,0 fond Memory! at my
' . ...
Come with gentle mkn and bearing, atar-eyed on with
Tokw so low.
a?o;-
Thriiiit-tthdiHte!Kfr.thehinarf -ionp
. ' n tmnA rtf hnv 1it. with tiw and ( Lil-
diahgiea, kwi free 'carry them for whole day, not even loo-
AU the long, awi day. of au.uner, fairy Sxitrtep. w tj)g ,hem wfcen ,hey gchei an(1 ,he iue
t"p and down 'monf tbornlam Tvn, 'ncath the akira , "brats" never murmur. Liquor is DOt
wheraglowing hung ayren wunF . j , ,j ; lhf, fl,,; ,hj j
Earth a reaplendant tow of Broome, on wboae arch a
and In tonea of ailrrr aweetneaa aang (he ayren Hope nw of their OWO, and Very Sensible One.
. t "". u . . . . ... , ,rVT3:3 i Indeed, it would be an example worthy of
Uei-koning with the hand myaterimia to the land of hr '
j imitation by our enlightened States. They
Paler ia the anher atnre glowa the rainbow of today ,, - I.,.,--. u I......
TrberewIlopn.wF.ilhaiu,rint nglothelMdof r,!i0 real ,0r,M' C"llte' hog'
j poultry, dee. There is a detachment of
With thy U..ch waalmna. eep GovernTien, fa,, , advance of US, SUf
rhorda with akilfal wt, rrertfcm hoar.
Wakening mimorief that hare rlumbrrrd till tlib rerar- . vey ing a Dew rOUte for emigrafjIS OO the
Hunnheartloeetliatye..tlUoldreHrerelhere:t'' CafUldiaO river to llae
t-ni-ht: iiht 1 plains or "great America 0 Desert," I hence
O refraah thy weary knjin;ali awhne In lore'a pure : a r. . . .
, , , . . . ... on to danta re, on the same side ol trie
Scnga liar Inng, of i-neh ran- f weclneaa. bare not linjred
on thy chord- dear words, river. Capl. R. B. Maicy, with a detach-
I,k. biacued with aaertkm, ta-casg. fed .f nr. j ment f tJ.S-Troop8t j, , c,-e por, Snil b
la th foonUia, frerly gutbing, quench the hnrning u g few days, a an egCOIt to the CnmnanV
sym.'hr.n.dewmyeye..! emigrant, from that place. He 'is to
6a, aweet Memory: I thank the lor thy preckma boon ravel by this new rOUte. SlrAngetliat
BmJUEfe my 1nE-eaing on the future, HgU. ! P'0"' ,ivin8 "P00 lhe brder ' t"M'et
jft-h'rwta jratiwary. Nor. ism. cnitNF.UA k. I as the Fort Smith people do,accusinmed to
ORIGINAL NARRATIVE.
Notes Of a Seven Months' JoonWJ tO
I j I j I aP I I li i 1 I A
VIA. VKT SMITH. SJ.VTA FR GILA KITOt, ASD
THE TITLE LAKES.
From the Private Journal kept by
VI. U. CHAMBEttLIN, or Uonaxaa, Pi.
continuf.d.
Friday. March 23. (?reen and Musscr
gone to Van Buren to purchase mules,
The boat Pennyweight arrived to day from
New Orleans and discharged a cargo of
Californians. Thev buried seven persons
on the way up, who died wi'h the Cho'cra.
Purchased another stork of groceries,
which we are busy sacking, drying and
smoking our bacon, &c.
Saturday, March 24- Bought 7 mules
at 50 a head. Mr. Armstrong from Ral
ston, Pa., arrived to-day and joined our
company. We use the sulphur water,
although the taste is rather nauseous.
If we do not require its medical virtues, it
can not injure us. Our mules are in bad
condition, which will require us to travel
slow in lhe start.
Sundav, March 25 Wrnt in hear the
far-famed Mr. John Newland Maflit preach.
I knew him by reputation, but had never
seen or heard him before. He is cer
tainly an eloquent speaker, but I came
to the conclusion that he is more renowned
(or eccemriciiy, than either piety or inter
est in the future welfare of his listeners.
lie was formerly of the Meihodist church,
bul is now an "outsider." Although up
wards of filty years of age, he does not
appear to be more than thirty, and I am
inclined to think that more of his time is
spent at the toilet, than at the Bible. There
appears to be more regard for the day in
camp than in town.
Monday, March 26 Musser went to
Vn Buren after our mules. The weather
is very fine, tempting us io start. We are
anxious to be on our way and will get off
as soon as possible. Purchased three
mules at about $50 per head. We have
now 5 lo each wagon.intending to purchase
riding ponies from the Indiana on our way.
Hiving our mules shod, wagons repaired,
and making every necessary preparation
we can think of.
Tuesday, March 27. Judging Irom the
amount of goods sold to the emigrants at
this place, and the prices realized, tlie self
interested citizens of Fort Smith could well
afford lo publish to the worlJ the many
advantages (no doubt exaggerated) this
place has, as a starting point, for an over
land journey lo California. The gamblers
are fleecing many persons, who will be
obliged to return home and take new
start We disposed of our provision chests
and exchanged our tent for a larger and
nore convenient one; purchased saddles,
extra mule shoes, pickets, &c
Wednesday, Match 28. Commenced
raining this morning : packed our wagons,
harnessed op our guam-looking mules, and
rolled out about 3 o'clock this aflernooo.
Ow team moved off finely ; the road very
W ; cootuues raining, freaamad on a
"I rim no grasj, fed our aaimila
upon corn, which we brought with u. We
use our camp chert at a table ; we have an
abundance of blankets.with which we make
ourselves comfortable. After enjoying our
bumble supper of coffee, bacon and biscuit,
we retired to rest, pretty well pleased with
ihia our first day's journey, and were lulled
to sleep by the hooting of owl and the
howling of wolves. We appointed a guard
which is to be kept up throughout the
journey, each standing half a night, aller-
J
nHlflv". DitlOHCt, 6 mile.
j ' , ... . .
hursday, March 29 I raveled over a
very bad road, the wheels sometimes sink-
, nig tu lira aiaics, vui uui iiiuics uiu
flinch. Ferried over Polo river,a sluggish
s' ream about 40 yards wide. Passed ihro'
the "Choctaw Agency j" a great many
Indians and squaws were lounging about
(fc . of lbem fc
1 lortable cabins, and cultivate a lew acres
I 0( Rroun& They are Very fond of drCSS ;
! 6 f 3 . . ..
! Some Ol the sqUBWS were Clad in Calicoes
I of the most gaudy colors. Some of them
; o
naa - papoose lasnea 10 a wiener irame,
8WUng upon tneir focls ; in this way ihey
.01 J J
! dealing with the Indians, require an escort
! of troops, while many of us from the old
g,.,.,
l ' fi8ht anl cui our own WT Senator
all this about, must be a 'cute old un.
When we came to where the new road
struck off from the old one, we were influ-
ienced to take the former, by a man s'a-
lioned there for the purpose. We were tho
first that traversed it, except the military
detachment, which consists of two wagons
and 25 men, who are but a few miles ahead
of us and ahead of them, a wilderness of
250 milea ! They are guided by the old
Delaware Indian trail, which runs about
20 degrees S. of W. to the edge of the
plains. We crossed a prairie a few miles
in width ; lhe ground is very soft ; once
we mired down, and it was only by un
loading, double-teaming, and putting our
shoulders lo lhe wheel, that we succeeded
in gelling lhe wagon out. Obliged lo en
camp on the prairie, but found enough
wood and water to answer our purposes.
Saw a great many grouse, and prairie
snipe to-day ; but, either because they
were too wild, or we inexperienced in the
arl, did not succeed in kilting any of lbem.
Distance, 22 miles 28.
Friday, March 30. Started early. Soon
found the road almost impassible ; this
portion of prairie had been lately burned
over, which made it much wore. Mired
both wagona and mulea, very frequently,
and it required all our strength, ingenuity,
and courage, lo get them out. We almost
despaired getting through, for scarcely
would we get them out, ontil they were in
again. Came up with the troops this eve
ning, and encamped with them in a beauti
ful spot on the border of a small prairie,
thro' which ran a brook of clear, delicious
water. The air was perfumed by a variety
ol shrubbery that giew along its banks,
now in full bloom. Saw a few deer, at a
distance to-day. Out ol corn for our
mules, and the grass too short to afford
them much nourishment. Very much
fatigued by the day's labor, and turned in
early. Distance, 5 miles 33. '
Saturday, March 31. Became acquain
ted with Lieuts. Dent and Updegraff both
apparently clever fellows. Dent has a
brother ic California. Almost worn oul.but
necessity is the mother of invention,' and
we do not find ourselvea in so great a dil-
emma.when our learns bog down, as we did
at first, having learned to extricate them
ith less difficulty. Again encamped on
a small stream, on the skirtaof a "min
iature prairie. This evening, Howard
and myself each mounted a mule, and
started in search of corn for our suffering
animals ; after following a trail about
three miles, we came to a eabin of an In
dian. He at first said he had none, but
we knew by the stalks in his patch that he
was lying ; we were determined lo have it,
which he saw and gave in. We got as
much as our animals could carry, for 91
per 100 ear. la the meantime, the old
squaw was' busily engaged dissecting a
fine wild turkey, which she did without
much ceremony, using her hands instead
of a knife. Night overtook us, and it was
with difficulty we found our way back to
camp, which we reached in lime in partake
of a hearty though simple supper. Dis
tance, 4 m'les 37.
Sunday. April I. Did not move camp.
If ever the Sabbath was rrquired as a day
of "rest," this wa,aa well for our animals
as selves ; but idleness in camp becomes
monotony, and as we could not not endure
thai, some of us went gunning, and
others fishing. I shot several large
fox squirrels, others caught some small
I nub, resembling what we call "sun-nun'
Oiir game mnde us a very palatable supper.
The troops moved on this morning. The
Sabbath is not observed in the army.
We have crossed several mountains and
found abundance of iron ore, and indica
tions of coal. The soil in tho vallies
and prairies is undoubtedly good, judging
from the luxuriant growth of grass in sea
son. The Indians with their rude imple
ments of cultivating the ground, raise fine
crops of corn, although, from their natur
al idleness or distate for labor, they seldom
grow more than they require for their own
sustenance. While out gunning, strolling
along an Indian trail, I almost trod upon a
very large rattlesnake, si retched across the
path ; he commenced making music for me
in a high tone, but I silenced h by a bullet
through his pa!e. Saw a number of deer,
but could not get within shooting distance
of them. The water in this neighborhood
has a milky appearance.
A number of Indians andrquaws visited
us to day, begging tobacco, bread, &c.
Thev are on their way to the Agency, to
traffic, and encamped near us. The squaws
imitate the men in riding, by sitting
astride lhe animal.
Monday, April 2. Cloudy, indicating
rain ; the road somewhat better. Purchased
some more corn, at $1 per bushel. Trav
eled over mountains and strips of prairie,
lhe scenery varied and beautiful. Met an
American, in company with some Indians;
they had been out on a hunting excursion
American had six fine wild turkeys
suspended from his saddle. He had lived
adopled their dress and customs ; he was
an intelligent man, and said that he had
been educated at one of the best literary
institutions in the Stales, and received his
diploma. What induced him to forsake
civilized society and dwell among savages,
he did not inform us ; he certainly has a
romantic fancy. The military ahead of us
had very imprudently set the prairie on fire;
it was ru h ing towards us, consuming ev
erything before it ; we could not retreat,
but, halting our teams, some of us went
ahead, encountered it at the edge of the
woods, and after a severe effort, succeeded
in arresting its progress in one spot, wide
enough for our wagnns lo pass through,
which they did in safety. It was a fearful j
sight, and we were lucky in escaping the j
devouring fl.imes so easily. We encamped .
in the skirt of a woods.bordering on a prai-
rie, where we found a small pool of almost j
. ... !
......n Pnivlineori Inavla twMt
potatoes, and pea nuts, of some Indians, j
nho had followed u all afternoon lor im i
the purpose of trading. The woods and
prairies po fire all around our camp. Dis
tance, 12 miles (9.
Tuesday, April 3. After lhe wagons
started this morning, I rambled through the j
woods and shot a fine mes of pigeons and j
partridges, and had a long tramp before 1 1
aeain overtook the company. Mel an old
Indian of whom we purchased some eggs,
Oi- "chickens," as Ihey call them in broken
English. The Choclaws are very dark
colored. A good pony can be purchased of
them for $3 ; very thoughtlessly, I did not
purchase one, fur while we were making
such short stages, I preferred walking, and
gunning occasionally, to taking care of an
extra animal. (I had reason, afterwards,
for repenting this negligence ) The road
lo-day was very good, in comparison wilh
what we have passed over, except crossing
the San-Boy river, a stream 10 yaids wide,
and pretty deep. The hills here abound
in iron ore. Encamped on Cooper a creek
this evening. The grass is about three or
four inches high, and affords indifferent
pasture for our stock. Some of the land
scape scenery is truely fine, being a con
slant succession of hills, vallies, woodland,
and nrairies, the last of which are now
clothed in green interspersed with innum
erable wild flowers, of every variety and
hue. Occasionally our table is furnished
with a dish of "greeus" or wild onions.
The old Indian trail, in many places, is not
more than a loot wide, by which thousands
pass yearly on llieir way to the settlements
to trade. ' The limber in this country,
hkh is principally oak, is rather scrubby.
Distance. 13 miles 61.
Wednesday. April 4 In the course of
the day, we crossed a high ridge, very dif
ficult of ascent aad descent. Overtook the
Croveroment train, and encamped on a
small stream of good water. I shot a very
large hare, which made us an excellent
. . . . ei i .j ....
supper ana oreanasr. rurcn wuirr.
corn of an Indian by the way, and found
we could get as much for 3 or 4 dimes, as
for a dollar, they, preferring small change,
and at lhe same lime we ave them ; full
value for their grain. They generally Irent
us very civilly, and ntf er attempt to pilfer
even the most trifling article. Distance, 9
miles 70.
Thursday, April 5. Started early, but
ow iug to the bad state of the road we made
but little progress, crossing many deep
ravines, and encamjx d early. Rain this
evening, but our tent turns water, and we
are quile comfortable. I shot 8 gray squir
rels as we tritvaled along to day, which fur
nished a savory dishthisevening. Distance,
6 miles 76.
Friday. April 8. In lo-day's journey,
we crossed a beautiful prairie, about 8
mi Irs in width, and over a very difficult
mountain. A deep and apparently impas
sible ravine was now before us ; this we
crossed with less trouble than we anticipa
ted, but not without a hard struggle on the
part of our teams, which we doubled. A
very heavy thunder shower now fell upon
us, wetting us completely. Shortly after
wards we reached the bank of Gaines'
creek. This, after nnother hard seige, we
forded, and encamped on the opposite bank
about noon. The rain continued falling in
torrents all day and night. We had trni't
of encamping on the other side, but luckily
for us we did not, for 'immediately after
we crossed it commenced rising;, and was
soon full, the banks at least 30 feet lii;h.
There is a small mongrel settlement near
us, consisting of half-breeds, ludinns, and
Negroes, which is reported as a place in
fested with thieves and rnblters. The spot
where we are encamped, although lhe best
we can find, is a perfect mud hole. Dist
ance, II miles 87.
Saturday, April 4. Heavy showers
continued falling, during the night, and it
has not ceased this morning.- The milita
ry are eocamped on the oilier aide, where
they must remain until the water falls.
About noon we etruck our lent, traveled
about three miles, and encamped on anoth
er stream, so swollen aa to be impassible.
There is a mess of Texians on theopposite
bank, who have been wailing here several
days for company. They had left Fort
Smith several weeka ago, and foliowed (lie
Indian trail thus far. They scarcely knew
where ihey were going, but I suppose had
heard of California, knew it was westward,
and were pushing forward in that direction.
Distance. 3 miles 00.
Sunday. April 8- On "watch' until I
o'clock this morning. Stormed all niht,
making it impossible to travel or do anything
else ; we are almost swnmped in mud and
water, and are obliged to lay in our tents.
Monday, April 9- Rained all night.
cleared off this morning. Our mules wan
dered off during the night, but found thnn
ihis afternoon ; unable to proceed on ac-
count of the soft stn:e of the earth. Busy
drying bedclothes, repairing wagons, &c.
Tuesday, April 10. Remained in camp
for reasons given yesterday, engaged air-
. . T l .1 . -
mi, our provisions, wasninz cioinrs. ccc.
The large, flat stones.on the bank of the!
stream, answer aaimrnoiy. .usixau w a
wash machine, and the appearance of ourj
linen, when " hung up to dry,'' would i
reflect honor upon a washwoman skilled in j
the art. Endeavored to eatch some oftl.f
small fish, that appear to abound in the
stream, but with little success. Howard
fired at a deer yesterday but without effect.
Quarreling amongst lhe soldiers, and pun
jibed accordingly Whiskey the cause.
Wednesday, April 11. Our teams
were again under way this morning, and
crossed the stream a short distance above.
The prairies and hills are very soft, but we
got along tolerably well. 1 he army kepi j
along the side of the mountain, but after;
upsetting both wagons, they concluded lo J
come back to the trail, which we had not :
left. Stopped at 4 o'clock. Wo have:
been in the Chickasaw Indian country
ainee leavins Gaines creek. They are.
fairer in complexion than the Choclaws ;
some of them can speak a little English.'
They grow some corn and vegetables.!
Distance, 10 miles 100.
Thursday, April 12. Made an early
start; road very bad; frequently had to
take the axe and cut out a new one, to
avoid swampy places. About 11 o'clock
we overlook the military, who were badly
bogged, and shortly afterwards encamped,
having apparently got to our journey's end :
swamps, creeks and mountains on all sides.
What we will do nesl, is yet to be determi
ned ; some exploring wiH have to be done.
While washing the other day, the sun
burnt my arms severely ; . they are now
swollen and very painful. Raining to-day ;
very cold and unpleasant. If 1 had been
told before starring, that we could pass
over such a country nd roads, I would
not have believed it ; but perseverance ac
complishes wonders. Our mules continued
to "lug" us thro all opposition, and are
improving, notwithstanding the hard usage.
Our wagons have held together, in places
where 1 expected lbem to be "smashed into
pi." We are all in good health and spirits;
our only cause for complaint is that we
do not gel along faster towards our place
of destination. Walking oil day gives us
a keen relish for our frugal fare, which we
enjoy while seated around our camp chest.
Many a joke is cracked.and many an anec
dote of by-gone day a is related. . We al
most forget that we have heretofore lived
in a civilied country and enjoyed ibe good
things of the world. Nearly every day we
grace our table with a dii-h of game, which
lakes the place of bacon, and though not
accompanied with the "fixinV generally
used in cooking, it is not to be sneezed at.
We find our India rubber coats, caps, beds,
&:., very useful in case of rain, and the
"round is constantly damp. Carrying on
extra supply of clothing is an absurd idea,
and I never would do it aain. We have
not a fowling piece in the company for
shooting small game, which we regret ve
ry much.
Friday, April 13 Remained in camp!
lo-day. Another heavy thunder shower, j man." lie must have been -awtui.y sca
From ail appearances, we will not rearh red but he' stowed away the pork ond
Choteau's" lor weeks to come. We
are within a few hundred yards of Coal
creek, which we will be obliged lo cross
It is much swollen, and the water very
cold. Another company has overtaken us.
consisting of six tailors.lacking three of the
complement necessary lo "make a man,"
which is no joke in this instance, for, from
their outward appearances, they are
certainly "out of their element.'' They
and the Texians crossed the creek to day.
It was a foolish and unnecessary underta
king, but they finally succeeded, after wel
ting all their baggage, and being obliged to
swim.
Saturday, April 14- We have con
cluded to wait until the creek falls, which
is yet impassible. A very sudden change
in the weather, to cold. Hail and rain this
afternoon, very disagreeable.
Sunday, April 15. Snow fell to lhe
depth of ihree inches last night ; the ther
mometer is down to 26 this morning at
sunrise, which is something uncommon for
this latitude, at this season of the year. It
has rained almost continually since this
month came in, and it is a fortunate cir-
cumstance that we have a water proof
tent and clothing. The gross is several
inches high, the trees are in leaf, flowers
in bloom, and everything indicates approa
ching summer. "Dame Nature'' has cer
tainly assumed a dress this morning lhat
ill becomes her. Emigrants should never
leave the frontiers, before the first of May ;
they only expose themselves to the inclem
-n.w ni ih wither, anrl . nr. their n-'
expected after that date,
MmW Am-it Ifi Weather settled.
-
wit!, prospects of its continuance, a, least
for a short time. Musser and myself bu-
-
sied ourselves at altering and fitting our
harness, which have been too large for our j
.
les. Lieutenants Dent and Updegraff,
mutes.
visit our camp frequently, to discuss pout-
ics, and the general topics of the day.
r . i-w . j . e it- d. .
iiFMl. leni is a graauoio vi mi i mm
Military Academy, and Lieut. Updegraff
was promoiej irom mr rni.iws. s.v...
in Mexico d
.u. ., i. ... ,k-
..m.g ...e ..,, .-u . ...
m their nersnns.
lne,r P8"01- ,
eviaence uPn .ne.r i-rn,,.,.,.
I uesuay, Apr.. 17. waning prepara-
lions lo cross lhe creek this morning. We
were obliged lo "corduroy ' the banks on
both sides, being perfect swamps. "Hauled j
... .... a i I
out a
L. ..S SB .7.-iln'j anrl i ea-e iin1 Iffl I
UWlf I 0 V L ew a aa a vj a? wv. a- - m i
rojbing, with a great deal of difficulty
P,H .Kennnh . ,-anehrake. Came across
an Indian settlement, and purchased some
corn of " Mr. Tecumseh." Encamped !
on lhe border of a small prairie, having j
a o-k a 1
made but little Headway, uur road wo-
ihrouph a continued swamp, and we fre
quently bogged down. After such a da. j from one hundred and seven R-presen'a-work
as ihis. our clothes present a sad I '' o hundred and thirty ; our pop
appearance, f,.r we carl not avoid lhe mud. j "'"''"n Irom about five millions to proba
Weare all very muen fatigued, need ret, ! Wy twenty-three and a half n iltions. In
. . . . . 1 . I f,U. fw Qlnlaa Anmhlo'la at'lPm
and will "turn m" early, instance, 4
i
m.ies in.
Wednesday. April 18. Made an early
.t.n .,l e,nerf wh.i w-e si.onosed to ,e
Cedar Creek
The military employed two
Indians this mornini! lo euide them. We
traveled over some very rough mountains,
cutting our own road the greater part of
the day ; and when we at last emerged
from the woods, a prairie lay before u,with
all tlie nenuiy in wnicn rsaiurc nas nrrajcu -
,hese "natural fields" of lhe west. On the ! lo "ne hundred and twenty, greatly elcva
edge rf this, we pitched our lents about 31, i"g also the standard of requ.rement and
o'clock in the afternoon. A sight of these smdy. During this period, lorty-two The-
"spots" has an amazing effect upon ou
spirits, the timber-land being more boggy,
besides which, shouldering the nxe nnil
opening our way is not light work. This
evening, several men with "pick animals"
encamped with , who had been but four
day mil jrttn Fort Smith ! Of course.we
"scratched our heads." and wished we Had
our "traps" similarly arranged. Distance,
l6 miles IN. ' ' '"
Thursday. April 10 Under way lit 7
o'clock ; crossed a small prairie and (bund
ourselves at the foot of a high and very
steep mountain, and "the military" at a
stnod the Indian guide said there was no
way but to cross the mot,n'ain, and thev
were afraid lo undertake it. Armstrong
and myself too!; the axe, and in a short
time cut a road to lhe top, winding s round
to make the ascent more gradual.. Up this,
the mules finally succeeded in drngging the
wagons, assisted by "all hands." But,
strange to tell, we had not proceeded far.
on the very back-bone of the ridge, until
we were badly mired down. The descent
at the farther end was also very rough and
difficult, but at the fool we found a small.
clear stream, on I lie bank of which we
encamped a'xiut 4 o'clock. Caught a fine
mess of sun-fUh for aupper. To-day, Lieut.
Dent received an express from Capt.
.Marcy, with information tint he was on
the road, but rattling under ground a
great portion of the lime. The man who
brought the news (to hear him tell the
story) was drotcutd several limes, starved
to death, and killed by the Indians as ollen
t . . .
He was indeed lhe picture of a "used-up
beans, when they were parsed around, as
j though nothing had happened,
I'ta le etmtinufd'
The hut Half Century.
By all methods of calculation, with the
close of ihc present year the first half of our
Nineteenth Century will terminate. Tho'
indicated by no sijins in the heavens, it
marks the most august and impressive
epoch known to the experience of the liv
ing generation, and concludes a period as
full of grandeur and magnificence as any
recorded in the book of lime. Fifiy years
in this brief litis of ours, is a long interval
a! ny stage of the world's progress. It
includes lhe birth, the deeds, and the
changes of countless thinking, suffering,
struggling souls, all of whom hare contrib
uted their part to lhe great sum of achieve
ments which- make up the annals cf the
race. But into what space of equal length
have been crowded such teeming events !
What other half century has swelled with
such marvelous deeds, such stupendous
changes, such mighty throes of intellect
and feeling, such reaches of discovery,
and enlargement of ideas, and improve
: ment, and progress, as that which, from
the height of his odvanced position, the
eye now looks back upon! Making all
allowance for the magnitude and impress-
iventss which events acquire by their
proximity, and by any scale of admeasure
ment, there is no other period of like di-,
mensions in which the race has taken such!
rollossal steps of progress, and stretched
out so sublime a roll ol actiievement. II tne
i the mind, and the eye could take in one
' i .. .
! sweep lhe C'Bantic outline of changes and
i . . . . . - . . ... -
event, which the history of ,h Pdj
records, no epic of human genius or spec-!
, . ... -
... , i , I
tncle of nature could surpass the grandeur
. . i-.l-.i -. 1 1
and beauty of the idea it would convey. I
TM tit. i -..i
The world has swep .long . . vastly
... a, ., y,,
U the mighty powers , .which ,t has given
i litrik .inil fliA m:ni that nniic.ee anrl re-T
, r - i
calls even the latle segment of ... own ob-
- - r .
ira wnnrler and awe at the eriTideur of the '
,"- . , I
scale on w h eh history has been aeeumula-
.
- - - j -
-s - " j
out its mighty issues. " -
. , - . . j i s
Our territorial dimensions have extended;
1
from the Mississippi to the Pacific-, and j
an .nAl iV.m , (k rem -! ta mtllmr. rtf I
CIIIII.Lr U IIW.II U l u i ta w ma w
I square miles to three millions and a quarter.
r-
riltcen Mates, some ol mem ol exiraorm
nrj capacity, have been added to our
.tational contederacy ; nine ol our cmetj
magistrates, and thirty-nine . f the origi
l aiiinaea xf a-x II TV. If afl a Al. KfiVA fit Aft l
- -
our .National legislature nas mcieaseoj.
-."- -
nfrommnn schools have been established,
.
me furnishing eompe'ent education m
every child without cost, ana, in on, pia
cmg the means ot education w.min .ne
reach of the poorest,
In several of the
"il'T Sta-es, provision has been mide,
more or less extensively, for the young.
Colleges and higher schools have kept
equal pace. The number of collegiate in-
Ima increased from twentv-five
riii"r'cal Seminaries navo ucvh .h.i..iu
........ M,.,liral schools, twelve Lw
I II. 1 1 'Sr: v
schools, and lhe Academy at West Point.
But this increase of educaiional fa jol
lies, by no means measures the intellect-
a T . . . ....nJ 1. H nlliM. Ml-.n.
Iinl ncrivry owninn u uj uum .... M.i.-,
The increase of periodical publication
within the fifty years, has been well ni;h
astounding." In 1800. there were scarcely
more thnn 200 newspapers in tho Union ;
at ihe present lime, there csn hardly be
less thnn"000. Rr''8io0 5sPPflr
have had their whole history in this inter
, at the Boston Reorder having been
commenced in 1510 ; snd Reviews and
Magazines have multiplied in equal pro
portion. Sabbath schools, now so widely
extended, and hallowing every valley and
glen of our whole country, had iheir be
ginning within the half century the New
York-Union having been formed in 1817,
the American Union in 1824, and the
Massachusetts Society in 1830. Within
that period, aNo, most of ihose forms of
benevolence designed to meliorate the suf
ferings of the blind, lhe insane, the deaf
and dumb, and lhe idiotic, have bad their
birth. The Hartford Asylum for the
Deafand Dumb was opened, under the
care of Mr. Gallaudet, in 1817 ; the New
York Institution n 1818, and since that
time eighteen have been opened, and three
institutions for the blind, and eighteen in
stitutions fur the insane, many of them
amply endowed and of high character.
Our young country has borne no in
considerable part in lhat wonderful im
pulse given to Science and Discovery,
which makes so signal a mark upon the
annals of the half century. The contri
butions made in thi-i country ,to Astronomi
cal discovery to the growth, consistency
and value of Geology, whose birth lies
within our periol, by the researches of
S.lliman, and Hitchcock, and the wise and
liberal explorations authorized by the Slates,
to Chemistry, by the labors of Hare, Silli
man, Henry and others, and by the great
invention ol Morse, of the Magnetic Tele
graph, its rapid extension over lhe country,
and it subordination to the uses of com
merce to Botany, by the observation and
zeal of Nuttall, Eaton, Giliot, B galow, and
Torrey to Zoology by the labors of Wil
son, and the more elaborate and splendid
researches and descriptions of Audubon
to Mathematical science, and to other of
the great departments of human knowledge
the great part borne in the practical dif
fusion of the sciences, by means of skillful
school-books and apparatus, and the gene
ral incorporation of them into the course
of education by our colleges all these
evidences of the progress of science among
us are not only creditable, but highly dis
tinctive of the age. ..-. .
In the progress of the Arts, and the ac
cumulation cf weatb,' material resources,
and increase of internal improvement., the
advance has been still more striking.
Eighteen canals, some ol them among the
largest and most costly in lhe world, have
been constructed. Steamboats were un
known prior to oar era Fulton making
his first trip to Albmy in 1807, in Ihirty
two hours. The tonnage now, of the
steamboats on our waters, is not less than
I . ... .L- ..: L. .e .k. .
iuu, aie amvjii iiit7 iriuiiiuiis ui ihc era-
. . . " ... f . .
the first one being timhed in VS'IT,
iiiit in si uuo uciiik iiiiiuna iia ao a iu
f
..... ' , f -, . ' -
ii. c UIUU9HUU i m 1 1 ki i lainuau wuc uuw
. , , , ,
isheo), at an expense or one hundred and
1
I twenty minions, oince men, ine progress
-wiit I1UU9- ajiijuv lucii. lira irru-crcss
L ; among the
u ,nd es?ecMion,
J J
1
pac;f5c
ButthereianoeIemen,of
' b
half-cenlury. in the schemes ar.d achieve
.,-- . , . .
ment of Christian benevolence. It has
ment of Christian benevolence. It has
been the ureal era ofmissions.of voluntary
, . . , , , ,
and associated benevolence, of social and
. .
nnllfl(Ml rpt.irm rf revivals anii the mn.1
c j rf
If
dom and religion. American Missions
have written all their honorable and beau-'
i tiful history during this period. In 1810,
tho American Board came into being the
spring of the missionary movement in this
country wilh an income of 9990, now
incrcosed t0 more ,han , uarter of a mi.;
ion. eince men, di leasi sis oiner oisuoci
missionary associations hare been firmed, .
w hich are made the medium of annual do
nations for the spread of the gospel,
amounting to not less than six hundred
and flfl ,hou8Bad doVms Home Missions
. '
have had their chief development and his
tory, il not their origin in this period. 1
Th$ American Home Missionary Society1
was formed by the incorporation of several
locut associations, in 1920, having; an in-"
come of 026,000, which now reaches '
about 100,000. Other societies of the'
kind have also multiplied both in numbers '
and resources, till almost every religious
denomination has its scheme. Bible So-'
cieties, also, are the' product of our event'
ful era the American Bible Society being"
lormed in 1816, enlarging from year ta1
year its resources, till Ihey now exceed '
lhe annual income of a quarter of a million.'
Tract Societies had their first origin ini
18U7; the New-England Society was
firmed in 1?I1, and the American Tract
j Society ii 1826, which from small begin '
nings, now receives an income upwards if
300,000 a year. Societies for the bene-;
fit of seamen,1 with iheir useful Homes..'
beneficent reforms. aoJ increasing patron-'
age ; societies for the benefit of prisoners,0
the improvement of prisons, the reform nf'
' the whole sy,:em of penal ioflxrioa, ar.d.
1