F U^3 .^■* M^ aV^ ".>. <^ V? ^^■^ ''^^- A- .r- ^^, ^;. .C'^ \V j'^ ''' 0' ^y- v^ .^" 't.. V-, X "^A v*^ ^< > .^x"*^ .0 0, v^^ v*"^ '■'^ •*^ '•*>^ v^ s A ' r"^^i -'':r c^' A V. ENGIxNEKU DEniiTMIlNT. I'. S. AllMV. PRELI^I INAIl Y RE FOllT A rvECOXNAISSANCE I ItliOlUH SOUTHERN AND SOUTH EASTEliN NEVADA. M^DIi; IN 18 GU, I'IKsr I.IKUT. CKii, M. \Vlli:i:Lli;K', Coia-s oi' Knginkkhs, 11. S. Ai:my, A^Sl-iTEl> ISV FIRST LlliUT. 1). W. l.urivWOOD, Coitrs uv Encinkkks, U. S. Aii.MV, INHKK IIU; l)lll>l':i!.s III- Biiitr. aK^f. K. o. c. oun, IIVI. MAI. OKX. U. S. AUMV, COMMANIUM; IlKIAIilMENT OK lAl.lKOUXI A. WASHINGTON: G O y K U N M I'. N T 1 ' K 1 X T 1 N G O »' 1' I C K 1875. TABLE OF COX TENTS. Page Letter of transmittal 5 General itinerary ' Description ot tlu' reeoiiuaissance 29 Lon^itnde l>y telefjrapli -'O Sextant iustrouoiuieal observations 35 Indians - •'>' Climate 37 Minin;; districts 3P Heiijlit lit" inoiuiraiii-ran;; '8 38 8npei loi liiiiii ii alii'nit. ■ f v. ;;i laiii^ii 39 A-jii. hi i.ial la. . > 39 Pn.lile ot ro:ids 41 Towns and selllenieiiis ''3 Odometer nieasnremenis 4' Meteorolojiieal observations ^^ Minerals ^'^ Kivers, creeks, and springs ^■^ Colorado Kiver •'^ Navifjation of the Colorado ™ Kio Virjjen ^' Timber ^"^ Game ^ Monntain-roads ■'" Cave in Cave Valley Konte taken by emi;i;rants tliron^li Death Valley '50 Old Salt Lake road "Jl Mormon ronte, ltir>7 *'' Mips ''• iNarrow-jjan^e railways "- Wheeler's I'eak 'J- Lien tenant Loekwood's report .»,5^ "■^ Tables of distances .^^-^. t'9 List of caul ps, with latitude, longifnde, altitude. Ac '- Office of the CniEF of Engineers, ^y^l.•^}li>l(Jlon, T>. C, ^[rovcd Jnno 23, 1874. In order, bowever, tbat tbe report upon tbis recoiinaissanee may hf made availableat once, I would reronimend Miatonetbousand copies he luinted at tbe (lovcrnment Printing OCtice for tbe use of tbis oHice, upon tbe usual rcipdsilion. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. A. ITUMIMIUEVS, Brigudkr-Gcnernl and Vhitf of JJiitjinccrii. lion. Wm. W. Belknap, (SV'(rf^(»7/ ()/■ War. Ai)i>roved. I>y order of tbe Secietary of War, II. T. Ciinsin, Cliirf VUrk. Wai; Devartment, March 11, 1S7.">. T'NiTEB States Knginkki; (Mikk, CiEor.RAriiu'Ar, Exit.orations and Suuvkvs West of the KIOtu mertiiian, WashiiH/fon, J). C, Fvbruary IS, 1875. Genkuat, : I bave tbe honor to transndt herewilh a report eoueerning an engineer reccuinais- sance aeeomplisbed in 18(i'.i, under orders tiom the bead(piarters Department of California, and under my cbarge, in parts of Southern and Soutbeastern Nevada. It should be remarked that tbis report has been prei)ared at sueli intervals as press of other duties would allow, and that its i)rincii)al features will be endtwdied in volume I of the forthconnng report, in course of publication under provisions of act of Congress approved June 2.3, 1874. The map* aecoinpanyiug tbis report, while answering tbe ])urpos(^ for which it was published, is not at present of specifu- value, and has been replaced by the regidar atlas sheets. \'ery respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. A. A. TTi'MPnREVS, Chief of F.iujinccrfs, I'niffd States Army, ''S\;\\> not rf'pniilislioil. Geo. :M. "WnEEi.ER, Lieut, of KiKjinccrx, in charge. aE:N^ERA.L ITIISTER^^RY. ITnitki) States ENtii.MOKu ()i tick, IllOADl^UAUTKUS DEPARTJIENT OV CAI.IKOUNIA, ISan Francisco, Cut., January 21, 1S7(). To lirevct Colonel J. 1'. SuKHiu UNE, Annintant Adjutant General, Dep't of Cat., San Franri.sco, Cat. : SiK : I liiive the honor to make the follo\vin<;; i>rcliuiiuary report in reference, more p;nti(til;irly, to tlie military features contieeted with the reconnaissance through Southern Xovada, lately con- ducted under my charye, in which I was assisted by Lieut. 1). W. Lockwood, Corps of Eufiiiieci's, United States Army, tiiree ]>rofessional assistants, and two practiced soldiers, accompanied by an escort of tweiity-tive men of Company II, Eii;hth United States Cavalry, from Camp Ilallcck, Nevada. The concei»tioii of this reconnaissance having originated with the bre\et major-general com- manding the department, was communicated to the Chief of Engineers, and, meeting with his consent and approval, Si»ecial Order No. 94 was published, as follows : [Siiecial Orders, No. 94.] Hi:aiii;uai!Ti;i;s Di;cAiiiMi;xr ok C'ai.m ()i;xm. Sun I'lonawo, .June 7, lr'(i!t. liy iiiitluirity from lieadciiuirlers .Military llivisiiiii of tbc; I'ai-ilic, Lii'iit. Gi-orge M. Wlieeli-r, I'liitod Stales Kiiyineors, will proceed with liis civil a.sslstaiits and tliree eiilLsted iiieu to cither C'ainiis Halleck or Ruby, Nevada, ami having been joined by Lieut. D. W. Lockvvocxl, United .States Engineers, now en ionic via Fort Cliiirchill, will there organize a party, to consist of two uon-coniniissioucd officers and tweuty-thrce enlisted men, (cavalry, or infantry nionnteil,) siicb drivers, packers, and guides as may be reiiuired; e<|iiip them with the necessary, full, and completeoiit- llt, as far as the resources of the posts will enable him so to do ; after which he will proceed, via the White I'Ine district, to make a tlioroiigh and carefnl reconnaissance of the district of country to the south and east of White I'ine, cxteinling his reconnals.sance. If practicable, as far as the head of navigation on the Colorado Kivcr, with a view of opening a road thereto from the White I'lne or (Jraiit district, of (detaining correct data for a military map of the country, and for the selcetimi of the site or sites for such military post or posts to cover the mining country south and east of White I'ine from hostile Indians, as may be re([uired. Such explorations and examinations as may will be made In reference to the physical gfograpliy of the country, its resources iu wood, water, agricuUur.il or mlmral productions. The character, habits, ami nunilx'rs of Indian tribes, and tluir ilisposition toward settlers ami miners, will lie sub- jects for investigations. Upon his return, he will make a detailed repiut upou the results of the cxpeditiiui, accoiupauied by a map and subreports of ;i.ssistants. By commaud of Brevet Major-Geueral Ctrd : John p. Siii:i;mi!NE, Amiiutant Adjuliinl-Oeneial. Having caivfully made liie necessary prcliiniiiaiy aiiaii;^i'iiiculs,.Jiine I'J found us icady to lake the field. It having become necessary to forward traiispDitalion tiom Fort Clnirchill, Nev.. toCam|) Itiihy, Nev., Lieutenant Lockwood was obliged to leave late iti ^lay, as ho would have to make lioin the former point a march of about nine days on the old overland road. Camp Halleck was reached on the morning of the 1.5th, and it was found that few necessary arrangemenls had been coiiii)lcled for littiiig out the e.\i>edition for so long aiul diHicult a trii». It was necessary, therefore, to remain .several days in this vicinity, which proved of no considerable ultimate delay, as the survey of a hay reservation for the post was rc(|tiired. Careful .sets of astronomical and meteorological ob.servations were taken to test our instrumeutsi 8 ami to put tlieiu ami omselvi's in workiiig-oider; besides, a line was: carefully nui to I'eko, the nearest telegrai)listatiou at that time, (since then a mnv location, called Halleck Station, has been made more nearly opposite Camp Halleck and more accessible than Peko,) from which longitude by tele- graph was to be determined. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Lockwood, having reached Ruby Avith wagons and mules, came at once to Halleck. Finally, on the evening of the 2Gth of June, everything was ready for departure. Instructions from the t31iiefof Engineers were to the eft'ect that, in consequence of the geologi- cal survey in charge of Clarence King, it would not be necessary to delay on account of details, until about the latitude of White Pine was reached; but as it was thought best to carefully fix the- positions of as many points as possible, and among them t'amp Halleck, as well as also to perfect methods, it was considered advisable to go first to Elko, thence to Peko, on the Central Pacific Rail" road, as the Humboldt opi)Osite the latter place was at the time uufordable, obtaining in this way longitudinal position for these points as well as Halleck. This duty was completed on the evening of the .id of .luly. Leaving Camp Halleck on the morning of the 4th, and following the ui)per or (lilsen stage-road to White Pine, until the old overland road was met, and following it through Hastings Pass, Camp Ruby was reached on the evening of the 7tli of July. Here, again, the necessitic^s of a few final prejiarations obliged us to remain four or fiv(^ days, which interval was employed in nnddng careful sets of observations, and in again telegraphing for longitude. At last, on the morning of the 13th of July, everything was ready for the march; the train consisting of 30 persons, 8 wagons, 4S mules, and 31 horses. Taking the line of the telegraph-road. Long Valley was traversed, and a camp about three miles eastward of Hamilton, White Pine district, Nevada, was made on the Kith. Prom this point wagons were sent back to Camp Ruby for barley and further amounts of commissary stores. At and around this point more careful topogia|)hy was taken. Telegrai)hing for longitude was also carried on with excellent success, the error of the chronometers obtained, and also their rate up to tills time. Thanks are due to Maj. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, who very kindly took in hand the direction of the chronometric signals received at tSan Francisco. Capt. H. F. Rodgers, United States Coast Survey, also very obligingly lent his assistance; while Mr. Thos. Tennent fur- nished the chronometers, and the Western Union Telegraph Company (to which es[)ecial thanks are due,) furnished the use of its lines and the necessary telegraphic facilities. WHITE I'INE DISTIUC'T. This district at this riinc^ had been so much written about and so frecpiently visited that its general features were well understotxl. The excitement of the fall of 18(jS and succeeding winter was so much greater than the size and richness of the place demanded, that the consequent reaction had caused great distress among the working classes, and the streets of Hamilton were thronged witli hardy miners and rough mountain-men, without anything to do and without money. Subse- (picntly, upon returning to this vicinity, most of the people had departed, working their way toward Arizona. It cannot be expected that any one district will exhibit more than three or four princii>al leads, and it' these prove to b(! fissure veins with yielding ores, permanence is considered certain, and the facilities i)roduced by time and capital determine the result. During my stay in White Pine I saw nothing that could be called a fissure vein, although the mother lead, from which the various deposits seemed as but .segregations, is pretty certain to exist. The base-metal range has a great mineral showing of low-grade smelting ore, and reduction works wcsre in progress in November, IStiO. This camp may be made, to a certain extent, the nucleus of supi)ly to remote interior min- ing points. The necessary gniib's, packers, ^-c, having been obtained, a march to the eastward was made, and thence the reconnaissance carried to the south, along a meridian somewhat to the east of ^Vhite I'ine ; as to the south, so far as the Colorado, the whole of Southern Nevada was virtually unex- plored or mapped. Therefore by (-onducting the topographical search as far to the east as the Utah line, and returning, if possible, on a more westerly liiu', the greater if not the best parts of South- ern Nevada could be examined. Subsequent results show the route to have been well selected. Camp was broken on the morning of the 31st of July, and a inarch made toward Steptoo Valley, the wagons following a wagon-road to the Robinson District for the first day's march of twelve miles. The country is comparatively well watered, and grazing in sufficient abundance. The next day took us directly across Sierra Valley, to a place called 8uuiinit Station, in the foot- hills of the Egan range, scantily supplied with bunch-grass, and water comiug from a little si)riiig, some two miles to the northward. The road froui tliis point to Mineral City, Kobiuson District, a distance of fourteen miles, was good and hard, so that in this day's march a camp is nmdo on Murray's Creek, on east slope of Egan range, liowing into Steptoe Valley, which at this point shows a strip of laud fit for cultivation. Tiiis valk-y extentls to the southward from Murray's Creek, a distance of nearly thirty-live miles, while curreut report indicates tiiat the same or contiguous val" leys reach to the Central Pacific Railroad, with insensible divides, touching the same at a point about thirty miles east of Humboldt Wells, or near Toano. It is reasonable to suppo.se that such is the case with this and Spring Valley, the next valley to the eastward. If so, the railroad can be tapped with good success, and country roads, nearly due north and south, may be constructed on either Hue. Murray's Creek lies some six miles below Flcrcules Gate, a point on Simpson's route 1858-'59. Remaining at this camp for three or four days to take careful observations and topog- raphy, a chance was given for a hasty examination of the mines in the which is twenty miles long by six in width, lying on either side of the gorge in the Egan range, through which a natural road leads into Steptoe Valley. This camp presents remarkable natural facilities for the mining and milling of ores. Water and wood arc in abundance and in clo.se prox- imity to the prominent leads. Lumber in immense quantities can be procured along tlie eastern slope of the mountains, from eight to fourteen miles to the south, while tiie hills in which tlie mines lie are covered for the most part with a thick growth of nut-pine and mountain-cedar. Agricul- tural products can be obtained from ranches in Steptoe Valley. The ores are princii)ally base, showing large proportions of lead and copper. A ])roportiou of these alone would permit of work- ing by the ordinary wet process, while others require roasting and others again must be smelted. The deposits are plenty and have more the appearance of deposits than well-defined veins, oc- curring in dolomitic limestone, much disturbed. But few developments had beeu made, and it is not impossible that after reaching a moderate depth permanence of the veins may be secured, and, if so, upon further opening up of tlie country, it is not unlikely that large amounts of bullion can be profitably produced from this locality. Leaving camp on the morning of the 6th of August the foot-hills of the western side of Step- toe Valley are followed to a place called Ice Creek, quite seventeen miles. To our left, during the day, several hay -ranches were passed, mostly situated on Ste|)t()e Creek, rising in the Scliell Creek range. Tbe crop of grass is abundant; bunch-grass is also good and in large quantity iu the hills. To our right fine patches of timber are .seen iu the distance, often reaching almost to the tops of tlie highest peaks of the Egan range. I'ine and fir furnish all the kinds of hiinbcr found in the.si- hills; there is, however, an unlimited supply, but unfortunately situated with refen'uce to water, as are most all places found at high altitudes in the monntains, and below the latitude of White IMne. Only small springs are met with, and these do not always contain good water, except where they act as reservoirs for the melting snows. Steptoe Creek sinks in the middle of the valley, as is common with most streams in these semi-desert localities. Nearly oi)posite camp is the Nevada Miniug District, not visited for want of time. In the sanie range, to the northward, is another small district. Ou the morning of the 9th camp is broken, and passing a low divide. Cave Valley, haviug the same general .southern trend, is reached and followed to a h)cality opposite the Patterson Mining District near a cave of local fame, supposed to be quite extensive and wonderful. This camji is in a very lovely basin, with the sharp, steep peaks of the Schell Creek .Mountains to the east, while the Egan range, with broken and rolling bilks, lies to the westward. Wagons were sent back to Hamilton to take forage and supi>lies along the more westerly line for our return ; meanwhile parties went out to the north and eastward. A secure and pleasant camp was made; also arrangements to 2 W 10 collect all possible data previous to encountering a more difficult country to the south. The march to this point from Ice Creek was 28f miles, over a flue mountain-road, with no water available till within two miles of the camp. TRIP TO PREXJSS LAKE AND RETURN. Upon the latest published map of Xevada consulted, (Holt's map,) a lake of consider.able size, called Preuss Lake, is put down as cut by the eastern boundary of the State. It was determined to send a small party to find out this locality and return to the camp at the cave. Accordingly, on the morning of the IJrth, with an escort of ten men, a start is made, and passing through the break of the mountains where lies situate the little places known as Montezuma and Springville, belong- ing to the Patterson District, Duck Lake Valley is reached, and bearing along its northwest side, after a march of fifteen miles, a camp made at Benson's Creek. Here is good grazing, and a tract of arable land. Have passed a lake of small size, filled with innumerable duck, comprising most of the game so far encountered; large game very scarce, only an occasional deer aud antelope seen, and these at long distances. As for small game there is but little ; along the foot hills now and then a few sage-hens and jack -rabbits are encountered ; higher up, and wherever timber is found, grouse appear in occasional flocks. The next day a low divide is crossed into Spring Valley, which, like its mate, (Steptoe Valley,) continues, it is said, to the railroad direct, with only low divides between almost continuous depressions. A march of over twenty miles leads to a camp opposite Jeft' Davis Peak, near the Shoshone Mining District. Camp is made at a small creek with pure and clear water, near ranches that have sprung up in conjunction with the mining camp. Bunch-grass abounds; hay is plenty in the immediate neighborhood, and three or four thousand acres of cultivatable land await the settler. SHOSHONE DISTRICT. A few hours are taken for a hasty glance at these mines while the party is moving on. This is done in company with Mr. A. F. White, acting State Geologist of Nevada, who met us in this vicinity, having been our companion at the Cave for a few days. It is not proposed to enter into any detail witli regard to mines in this i-eport, as their bearing upon roads aud means of commu- nication, whether military or civil, is very slight at present, and as their undeveloped state is so general. The mines are on the western slope of the Snake range, aud exposed in a rough break in the side of the mountains, down which a large wash of sand has accumulated, making a ramp to bring one up nearer to the level of the mines. The leads seem wide and well defined, free, also, in a great measure, from the base metals, and ought to work well by the ordinary wet process. There is certainly a good showing for the extraction of a large amount of ore, most of which is likely to be of low grade. But few miners were at work at the time of our visit. Water iu the near vicinity of the mines is scarce ; being enough for the necessities of the camp. The creek, near which the camp was made the night before, affords a good site for mills. Fuel abundant ; lumber to be obtained some eight or ten miles higher up on the same range. The party had gone into camp ; some springs of bad alkaline water. Before night fourteen rattlesnakes had been killed, and it was thought not inappropriate to name this place " Rattlesnake Springs." Furtlier acquaint- auce with the locality proved that it was well to leave a warning in the name for the future traveler. From this point, the ascent of the mountain known as " Jeff Davis Peak," and considered the highest point between the Sierra Nevada aud Kocky Mountain range is made. The summit reached by the moonlight, and a descent to the line of vegetation, where the rest of the men with the pack animals were in camp, is made therefrom. An early start in the morning brought us to the top at 8.30 a. m., and observations for latitude and longitude were taken, the barometer-observations showing an altitude of at least 13,000 feet. The descent was more rapid, but not easy, and night found us back at camp completely exhausted. Tbe next day a march of twenty-three miles is made to Sacramento District, in a pass of the 8iuike range. The road all along Spring Valley had been a rude track, lately made by the prospectors of the region. Pure water is found in this mountain-pass. Some little fuel of scant cedar and nut-pine. ^ Generally speaking, the water so far in our course has been found far better.iu quality and more 11 frequent in place and quantity than had been anticipated. There are only a few places that have bet'n at all iilUalinc or iiiiiioral. This advantage will prove a great one as travel is directed to any points along the eastoiu ijorder of the State. SACRA5IENTO DISTRICT. This district is situated in Kod Canon Pass of the Snake range, and exposes to view, on the southern side, the mines that had attracted, at our coming, a i'ew miners. The products are both silver and gold, found witliin a limited compass, and in continuation of the mineral belt to the northward of Shoshone, and which seems to follow several distinct mountain-chains tbrough Nevada. The eastern limit shows slate. No present developments indicate a certainty of large mineral products, yet the average assays have been good, and tlie ore is easily mined. Chloride of silver appears in a higldy (-rystalized spar, so near approaching quartz in hardness, texture, and a|)[)ear- ance that it is hardly possible to distinguish ; however, I believe that, so far, no chlorides have been found in a highly siliceous matrix. The facilities for the benetit of a good mining-camp are favorable. Water sufficient, wood enough for fuel, lumber in limited quantities in the mountains, at not too great distances. Both Spring and Snake Valleys, in the vicinity, arc favorable for the production of the various farm - su[)plies necessary for sustenance. It is not unlikely that one, or two at k-ast, good leads or deposits will be found. So far, our intercourse with the Indians had been limited, appearances indicating that in many Instances they have fled at our approach. The Shoshones and Gosiutes, in whose country the route had so far lain, have, in years gone bj", suttered greatly «L the hands of the United States troops, and our guide and interpreter was known to them personally, and the word having been passed along the lines, they had silently taken their departure prior to our coming. Tins was in- dicateil in two or three instances by the sight of deserted wick-e-ups, and it appears as a well-attested fact that tliej' have a great terror of the soldiers. Emerging from the pass, near Sacramento District, Snake Valley is entered, and here are encountered some of the Snake Indians, who arc in tiio habit of occupying the valley in iilauting and harvesting sesuson, raising scanty crops, which they cache for the winter use, and then retire to the mountains. Altogether, we have found some two hundred of these Indians, whose chief, lllaekhawk, is a shrewd and calculating Indian, undoubtedly of a character superior to the average. These Indians had never received annuities from any source, and hail always, according to their own story, been peaceable and friendly to the whites. Some ^lornious had farmed a ranch near them, about the center of the valley, but they had never brought anything from the Mormon side. Furtlier insight into the Indian affairs in Southern Nevada leads me to suppose that but little care has been bestowed upon the manner in which the Indians receive annuities or benefits from Government. To be sure, scarcely anything has been known of the number, character, or habits of many of these Indians, who are quite numerous. Yet, in the case of the Indians on the Muddy, who are living on the line of a mail-road, and have done so for years, up to the time of our arrival no such person as an Indian agent was known to them. I understand that lately a sub- agent has been sent to this particular locality. The most of these Indians, -in case they were placed upon a reservation, could support themselves readily, and would be entirely peaceable and easily managed. The second day's march down Snake Valley leads to Snake Creek, at a point that proves to be within half a mile of the Utaii line. It had been my intention not to cross tiiis line, as it not only carried me out of the military division of the Pacific, bnt also out of any proposed or supposed north and south line of communication to the Colorado. However, a piirt of this detour-trip was for the purpose of finding Preuss Lake, whicii it still appeared to be of some satisfaction to attempt. On the afternoon of the 2d August, a start was made, and next day at 5 p. m. Hawawaii Springs, in sight of the lake, was reached. The next day brought us to its shores to receive only a disappointment on finding it both salt and brackish to an extreme degree. A night march to the camp at llawawah Springs was made, and after three days forced marching the more permanent camp in Cave Valley. Our return was upon a rough desert road, made by the Mormons in 1857, 12 when they were looking for places of refngc in case that our troops molested the quietude of their mountain villages. Upon reaching the old camp, observations were repeated for time, which gave good results in determining the rate of the chronometers, which were found to have been running with great regularity. PATTERSON DISTRICT, Lying in a natural pass ot the Schell Creek range, was discovered by parties driving cattle through from Southern Utah to the vicinity of mining camps in and around Austin and Belmont. Noth- ing was done, however, till the spring of 1SC9, when a little excitement sprung up. The showing of mineral appears upon the northern side of the pass, the leads having the general northern and southern trend so noticeable in most localities visited during the trip. A slight examination of these mines was made, and the general impressions derived were quite favorable. The leads are found mostly in limestone. The country rock is much disturbed, and in consequence, until some deep developments are made, there appears no absolute certainty of finding a well- defined fissure-vein, although one particular lode, the " Gray Eagle," has the outward appearance of being the mother vein. There is a great absence of the base metals, and the ores will, in almost every instance, work freely. Water is scarce on the western side of the summit of the pass, and nearest to the best mines. Wood for fuel is in sufficiency, and lumber to be found on the eastern slope of the range at a distance of seven or eight miles to the north. There is a sad lack of capital at this as well as most other of these remote mining locations which want, coupled with remoteness, are serious drawbacks that now hold in al)eyance the develop- ment of a vast amount of mineral wealth in Southern Nevada. The animals and men having recuperated, on the morning of the 1st September, camp was broken for a start into a region comparatively unknown, and about which but little information could be gleaned from either Indians or white men. The long marches both by night and day, joined with constant labor, have been considered slight in comparison with the hardships expected from climate and desert in our further progress to the Colorado. Lieutenant Lockwood was detached at this point, and sent with a small party with orders to conduct his march via Pahranagat Valley, and reach some of the settlements on the Muddy. This proved to be the most direct line to the southward. I was led to believe that by going still farther to the east, a better route in regard to grass and water could be found for the train. Ultimate results showed that this idea was a false one, although either route would have been diflicult for a number of wagons heavily laden — the nature of the road, the distances apart of the watering places, and chances for grazing being in advance uncertain. Passing to the eastern slope of the Schell Creek Mountains, ttirough Patterson, the road leads along the foot-hills to the Ely Mining District, some ten or twelve miles above the head of Meadow Valley, with only one spring of water intervening, and a stretch of fortj"-five to fifty miles of com- parative desert. It was reported that Mormons were living to the east of the next range, named Fortification Kauge, and by crossing over into the chain of valleys so settled that a good road could be found well supplied with grass and water, upon which, by detouring a little, we could reach the settlement at Meadow Valley. I was greatly desirous of continuing the topography as far as the eastern line of the State, and this would give the opportunity ; moreover, we were all very curious to see as much as possible of tiie Mormons and their settlements. Our experience in taking this route was a sad one, but the extra amount of topographical and other information gained more than repaid. Crossing Duck Lake Valley, we came to the pass in the Fortification Range, and for four or five days labored faithfully to cross. This was calletl Pioneer Caiion, an appropriate name, as we were all pioneers during its passage. Most of the wagons were upset while going through this canon, although all i)ossible care was taken, and everybody was at work from sun to sun. The escort behaved remarkably well, showing a great deal of energy and endurance, both of which qualities afterwards, in several instances, were called for, and at all times they did their duty faith- NoTE. — The locality reached was determined in 1872 to be the southern shore of Sevier Lake the reservoir of the water coming from the Sevier River. Hence Preuss Lake is hypothetical. The vallej- lying to the eastward of the Hawawah range, in which occurs an alkaline flat evidently overflown by water from Sevier Lake during seasons of great freshet, has been called " Preuss Valley " upon the atlas-sheeta to jierpetaate the name of this most excellent topographer connected with FriSmout's expedition. 13 fully. On the summit of the Pass, as indeed on every summit snfficiently high, encountered in onr travels, as far ;is the eye could reach in all diivctions, one sees only chain after chain of mountains in every variety of contour, hiding from view valley after valley, found to exist only after a nearer approach. Descending the gi-ade, a ravine is followed for four or five miles, where a camp is made for the night. Tlie next tlay's march commenced througli dense cedars reaching far into the foot- hills of the luirthern end of a valley known by the Mormons as Spring Valley, and named Cedar VaUey, when it was found that it came within the limits of ^^evada. After a march of seventeen or eigliteen miles, the first Jlormou settlement is reached, a little place called llomer, built in the shape of a fort, and settled with a number of people of the Mormon persuasion. The coming of so large a party, with several wagons and numerous animals, stirred up quite a commotion among these people nestled among the mountains, who are unaccustomed to seeing a strange face except at rare intervals. These outer settlements liave been formed from time to time when the excess of population crowds them farther and farther away from the central point, Salt Lake (Jity. The one above mentioned is among the most remote and inaccessible, situated, however, in a fine mountain valley, containing a limited amount of good land. We made a call upon the Bishop, or acting business man of the colony, and were well received. Some knowledge was gleaned as to their character and habits in that and also at other settlements. In Sju-ing or Cedar Valley is the source of a creek known, for the greater part of its course, as i\leadow Creek, that flows through Eagle, Kose, Dry, and Kouud Valleys to Meadow N'alley, often through tortuous canons, but traceable in all cases. Following down Meadow Valley, these waters pass through a very diflicult canon, known as Jleadow Valley Cafiou, and thence through Long A'alley, until within about thirty -fixe miles of the Muddy Kiver, when they sink to rise again within twelve miles art of the route up to this jjoint. The Indians and Mormons were both taciturn as regards iuforma- tion. The day's march was continued, and night found us at a little valley some two miles in length, called liose Valley, full of stock, and completely hemmed in, a little basin in the mountains. Our marches have been tedious to both men and animals, as the wagons were heavily laden. The roads, at some points, were very rough and winding, niakiug distances seemingly great. It was thought best to let the animals remain for twenty-four hours, as the grazing was good. Only a few Mormon ranchmen in this valley. The amount of laiul in the three valleys mentioned will not exceed 2,.")(t0 acres, if it were culti- vated to its greatest limits, and at least half of this is only fit for grazing and hay. The soft, saccharine bunch-grass, so valuable for the animals, is still found on the foot-hills, and in many cases extends high in altitude. The topographical parties continue on, winding through Dry Valley ; then detouring, first to 14 the southeast, then southwest, Meadow Valley is reached after a march of eighteen miles over a very good mouutiiin road. I had remained at the camp in Rose Valley to take observations till 2 p. m., and then rode rapidly forward, joining the camp at a large warm spring, about a mile above Panacea — the Mor- mon settlement in Meadow Valley. At all times, when near the Utah boundary, greater care has been taken in the astronomical, observations, as it soon became apparent to me that quite a large number of settlements, supposed by the Mormons and every one else to be in Utah, would prove to be iu Nevada. The present recon- naissance determines beyond a doubt that seven or eight settlements, varyiugin size from one hun- dred to five or sis hundred souls, will come within the Nevada Hue. The next day the Meadow Valley mines, (Ely Miniug District,) were visited, with only a small party and a scarcity of time, as great delay had been experienced in passing Pioneer Caiion, and had still before ns one of the hardest marches in the country before reaching the Muddy, which point it was desirable to gain by the 15th, as at that time the rations of Lieutenant Lockwood's party would be exhausted ; and on the morning of the 9th September, we are only at the ELY MINING DISTRICT which is situated among the high and broken foot-hills of the Schell Ci'eek range, at the head of Meadow Valley, to the northwest of the settlement, and aljout twelve miles distant. I was told by Mormons in Panacea tbat these mines bad beeu known for a long time to them, but that neither their church doctrines nor their habits had encouraged the development of mining enterprise. They were located by a scouting party sent out by General Connor from Camp Douglas, some years ago, but were never worked till afterwards located by prospectors, among whom was Mr. Ely, from whence the name. A San Francisco company have started work upon some of the locations, appar- ently on quite a large scale, while Mr. Ely and some others were engaged in developments of many of the leads. The slight examination made of these mines left a very favorable impression upon my mind as regards their extent, permanence, and richness. The country in close proximity is very rough, from irregularities of rock structure and erosion, aud covered in great part by nut-pine aud cedar. No water withiu six or seven miles, except a small spring, affording but a few gallons daily; but to the westward, and at the distance above mentioned, is a flue spring running at its minimum eight inches of water, and, at certain seasons, as high as from thii ty to thirty-five inches. This can easily be brought to the immediate vicinity of the mines. The bulk of the ore is argentiferous galena, intermingled, however, with both lead aud silver in other forms. The Pioche is one of the principal mines, and judging from the showiug, is a part of the mother vein of the district. A shaft has been sunk to a distance of forty-five feet, showing a wide vein of ore with well defined walls, which is undoubtedly a true fissure. A return by night is made to our camp, which has beeu changed to a spring three miles below Panacea, which is reached a little after midnight. Every one is in camp, except two men absent after stock. So far only two animals have been lost, but strenuous aud continuous exertions have been necessary to keep them from straying away or being stolen. The Indians especially are fond of such games. We are now in the country of the Pah-utes, but they also keep away from our sight. The old Indian, Adabe, who had accompanied us to Preuss Lake and return, also to Spring Valley, was sent from the latter place after stock, and has not shown himself since. This has caused some little uneasiness, as the character of the Indians following our march to the Muddy is known to be treacherous, aud tiiis fellow has been at one time the captain of froui two to three hundred of them. Most of the Pah-utes profess to be friendly to the whites, but they will steal and lie, like all true Indians, to a fearful extent. The Mormons stand iu considerable awe of them, and treat them very well, giving them a great deal to eat. We learn of the massacre of two men iu the canon below by Indians within twenty days of our arrival, aud the place is not looked upon as safe for parties of two or three men. We remained in this camp over one day, as all of the professional members of the expediftou were sadly worn out. All reports were unfavorable with regard to a route leading to the Muddy. The shortest line 15 would be to follow the waters of Meadow Creek, and tlie wasbes below the main cation should at last briiifj us to the desired point. The distance on this roiite would have been about ninety-live miles. A road leads from Panacea to Hyko, and from tiieiu'e to settlements on the Muddy, a dis- tance of one hundred and fifty miles. Again, by detouring to Clover Valley, a little to the east, and coming into the same wash below ]\Ieadow Cafion, the above point could be reached in about one hundred and ten miles. None of these routes seemed especial)}' pleasing. It was only neces- sary to select the one productive of the best results. The Mormons said, " Go by the canon." This would have been the shortest route, but in my own mind I had concluded that the heavy army wagons, with large loads, could never go through a canon having here aiul there quicksands, and the whole surface, for the greater part, covered with water. Accordingly, it was considered best to detour by way of Clover Valley. Although this proved a sorry route — almost as good as imprac- ticable — yet we afterwards learned from good autliority that it would have been impossible on account of the miry places to have taken the train through the canon. On the morning of the 11th September a start was made to continue the route to the south- ward, but, mistaking the road, one was followed down the valley. We were stopped at the mouth of the canon, some of the wagons having mired, and finding out that we were on the wrong track for Clover Valley, had nothing left us but to return to the old camp, not a little disappointed. We encountered an old Mormon gathering hay near the head of the cahon, and having had experience with a light wagon through the canon, told us that, in his opinion, it was impassable for us. This only conlirnicd i)reconceived ideas. The succeeding day we got fairly off, and continued the march for thirty miles, coming in at night to another little mountain valley, having passed over rolling country, i)rincipally covered with nnt-i)ine and cedar ; road good, but very crooked. The wash from this valley entiTs Meadow Creek Canon, and therefore how far to the northeast of this position the dividing line of the great interior basin. from that of the Colorado passes, it is somewhat difficult to say. However, it is judged not to be very far distant. Clover Valley is a small Mormon settlement, comprising some seven or eight hundred acres of arable land. The next day we followed a wash leading to the southeast ; which followed higher up to the foot- hills, develops some fine timber-patches — this at a distance of seven or eight miles from wliere we left the ravine. There is a small saw-mill at this place that furnishes timber for all the outer Mormon settlements, sending some as far to the south and west as the settlements on the Muddy. This is the only patch of large and fine pine timber for a radius of fifty miles. In fact, such areas are seldom found in the section of the State traversed. From Clover Valley a rough and tortuous road is followed to a summit, descending from which a large wash joining Meadow Valley Creek below the canon is entered. N^o laden wagons had ever passed thntugh this ravine, and ni)on fairly getting into it, I began to desjjair of ever bringing the train through. At noon the wagons had just begun to descend ; at G p. m. they had only succeeded in gaining two miles. Meanwhile every one in the party was hard at work making a road. Some of the advance parties, by accident, found two or three little water-holes some four or five miles distant from the summit, and the animals are driven to this point, but get only a small allowance. A little bunch-grass is found nearly one mile from this place. Appearances indicate that bunch- grass is disappearing, as also everything in the shape of vegetation — a sure .sign of a near approach to the Colorado Desert. The next morning pioneering is again commenced, and continued until nightfall, when the wagons reach the little water-holes mentioned, which, b careful cleaning out, have, by the next morning, gathered nearly enough water for all the animals, that are now every hour getting worse fagged and worn. The surveying party pushed ahead, and late at night suciiceded in threading out the labyrinth, which will be called Clover \'alley (Janon, and made camp upon Meadow Creek at the point where it comes out from a steep canon. The whole ca.se was taken into consideration, aiul the conclusion arrived at that the horses and nuiles, in their worn condition, with hardly any grass and infrequent supplies of water, would not be able to get through to the settlements on the Muddy without losing many valuable animals. Accordingly, in company with Mr. Wm. .M. Ord, a start was made to reach those settlements, hardly knowing the distance, the dangers, or necessities 16 of the march. This was at 2 p. m. of the 14th of September. "We traveled till 4 a. m. the next morning down a sandy wash, with almost iierpendicular walls of rock and sand conglomerate on either side, without reaching any water, as Meadow Creek had sunk about three miles below our camp, in a wideuing out of the wash, called Long Valley. It was then concluded best to take a little sleep until the day might break. Meanwhile our horses made a hearty meal of the surrounding canes. During the day willows with pods and blossoms were seen along the wash, quite different from any before noticed; also, one wildcat. At night two horned rattlesnakes were met with, which, with their incessant rattling, moved off in a lateral direction at our approach — not pleasant friends to encounter in so dreary a locality. The mountain-quail are noticed in this wash for the first time during the trip ; scarcely any other sort of game. Even the jack-rabbits are no longer seen except on rare occasions. Daybreak dis- covers to us, after saddliug up and riding ahead for about one thousand yards, that we have camped within that distance of where the Meadow Greek again appears. A slight breakfast is taken, and we push on, and at 1 p. m. come across some Indian rancherias, but as none of them could converse in English, it yet seemed uncertain how near at hand our destination might be. Still the same dreary sandy wash continues, opening out as the rancherias are passed, and in the foreground, some fifteen or twenty miles distant, apparently, were mountains supposed to be to the westward of the Muddy. At 3 p. m. Mr. Ord's horse had given entirely out, and we had been walking for two or three hours. At this time, by climbing a little sand-mound, a line of vegetation, wind- ing through the desert, was seen in the distance, and apparently a party encamped. I concluded to ride ahead, and much to my joy and relief found Lieutenant Lockwood and his party — a rather sorry meeting, as, having had bad luck also, they were entirely used up. In company with him, a further travel of eighteen miles was made, till Saint Joseph was reached, at which place it was supposed that grain could be purchased. The next morning this business was consummated, and the grain forwarded to the party. The distance traveled from our camp on Meadow Creek had been seventy-eight miles. It was thought advisable to have all make camp near West Point, a settlement within two or three miles of the point at which the old Los Angeles and Salt Lake road crosses the Muddy. This was done, and Lieutenant Lockwood's party immediately moved to this point. The most was made of the interval, before the other wagons should come up. in physical recuperation of both men and animals. Finally, on the afternoon of 22d September, the parties hauled slowly into camp — a scare-crow, exhausted-looking set — sadly wanting on the part of the animals, then in a semi starving condition, good grain, grass, and water, while the men needed at least a few nights of sound rei)Ose. The Indians and Mormons are frequent visitors to our camp while near West Point. The former come both for curiosity and to see what they can steal ; the latter, to vend the productions of their little ranches and gardens. The Indians in Southern Nevada and below the latitude of Patterso7i District know but little of white men other than Mormons, and have been taught to look upon them as chief, clearly dis- criminating between the foimer and Gentiles. This peculiarity is carried to a remarkable degree of penetration whenever a German happens along, who no sooner comes alone and unprotected than he is pretty sure to lose his horse and other personal eftects. The treaty made by Governor (now Senator) Nye in 1863, in Ruby Valley, extended only as far south as (^uinn's Canon. The Indians on the Muddy, when all counted, number nearly five b undred, while at the rancherias in Long Valley wash there are between seventy and eighty. The numbers of other Indians in close vicinity of Clover Valley, in Meadow Valley, and near Spring Valley, could not be accurately found out, as they kept wholly aloof — a sign always to be feared, as when they do so it only wants the hope of certainty of success for them to attack any party. To what cause this was to have been attributed is somewhat difficult to say. Their communication with more northern Indians is (piite sliglit ; and the Utahs spi^ak quite a difleronc language. These Indians could all be easily iiabituated to live on a reservation, and in that way woidd become self- supporting. At the rancherias encountered they raise small crops of grain, potatoes, and many melons. The valley of the Muddy, though very contracted, is fertile, and forms the Dixie of Nevada 17 State, and so are called the tbree Jlonnou settlements— West Toint, Saint Josepb, and Saint Thomas — adjacent to the most fertile spots. Of these the entire population amounts to from twelve to fiftceu hundred souls. lu summer niauy go to tlio more northern settlements, to retuin apiin in the winter, having' always, as a matter of course, a wife or wives iu each place. One ot these people, privijeged with four wives, was the happy father of twenty-two children. All of them at this, his winter resort, were being reared unwashed, unkempt, untaught. AH sorts of crops that are familiar to the growth of our Southern States can be raised on these little spots of land, althon-h surrounded by the mountainous desert on every hand. Unfortunately, the areas that can be cul- tivated are small, otherwise cotton could bo raised in great quantities. Small fields of this were ready for picking at our arrival. All the grains do well, but produce not so largely as in Pahrana- gat N'alley. The same in regard to jwtatoes and most vegetables. Fruits and vines llourish luxuriantly. The limited waters of the ISIuddy will not irrigate more than about lifteen hundred acres; so that, in case vast extents of the finest vegetable mold existed, it must now lie desert and arid for (he want of irrigation. The most is made of every particle of information that can be gathered in respect to tlie nature of the country in immediate \iciinty of the Colorado, so that our exhausted forces shall be put to the best use in continuing the examination, that it may be as full and satisfactory as possible. All accounts were alike unfavorable, and our minds were made up for the severest trials of the tri]!. It was i»lainly evident that the most that could be done would be to follow the Virgin to its mouth ; thence, closely hugging the Colorado, El Dorado Canon might be reached, and from thence a road runs to Las \'egas Si)rings. The wagons can go no farther i^onth without having to return, show- ing how op])ortune it had been to keep them iu vicinity of the old California road. It was deter- mined to send them at once to Las \'egas Kanch, at whicli point the animals would have a chance to recuperate, and the parties would be in position to re-enforce the i)arty going via the Colorado This j)arty consisted of, besides myself, Lieutenant Lockwood, Mr. Ilamcl, one cor])oral and six men, in addition to a pack-train, consisting of six animals. I'revious to our dei>arture on the morning of the 21)th, the section in proximity to the valley of the .Muddy had been examined. The settle- ments along the JMuddy had also been visited. Tiie lirst day's march biought us to the Juiuition of the Jfuddy with the Virgin. Cami) was made beside the stream so long looked foi-«ard to with some auticiitation, that told us we might lind a river. Instead, however, its dignity attains to no more than that of a mill-stieam over a sandy flat. The water, continual!}' full of cla,t ai!d sand particles, is of a reddish, nuiddy color, fearfully brackish, and scarcely lit for any animal to drink. The thirst occasioned by a long day's travel over a sandy road, in a temperature that would iiulicate more than 112^ Fahrenheit in the shade, made any water j)alatable. The next day, after taking observations till 2.30 p. m., we moved down the river some live or six miles, passing and leaving on our right the noted Salt Mountain, containing remarkably pure crystals. This is owned by the llyko Silver ^Mining ("ompauy, and is a very extensive deposit. Other salt deposits are found near the banks of the Virgin, and to the south, while within one thou- sand yards of its mouth is a large, deep well of remarkably clear water, but [lowerfully charged with salty matter. This is situated upon the mimt, some iha hundred yards from the Colorado, with pre- cipitous banks, looking on the deep waters below. No one knows the depth ; our parties could not ascertain this for want of means. Undoubtedly its origin is from the Virgin through underground ehauTiels. We had reached the mouth of the Virgin, ami looked upon the banks of the Kio Colorado. Here two Mormon llshernu'u inhabit a little hut, and catch some few fish from the river. We were at this point some lilly or sixty miles below the foot of the " Grand Canon," which point it had been my intention to visit, but the worn-out condition of the expedition absolutely forbade my doing so. From the most reliable information that coidd be gathered, it appears that the Coloi'ado is ai)proacliable on its northern and western sides at but very few points from El Dorado Cafion to far above the foot of the Grand Cafion. A few sandy washes in the near vicinity of El DoraIack Canon, pass- ing successfully the lioaring llapids. If this has been done, it seems quite certain that there are fewer obstructions in Virgin or Boulder Caiion. If so, practical navigation may easily reach the mouth of the Virgin. Again, from this point on, it is understood that no insurmountable hin- derances occur to ordiiuiry navigation until the Big Canon is reached ; but after ascending this for a distance of about five miles, it becomes impossible to go any further. No present or prospective needs go to show that it will ever become necessary to navigate higher than the Virgin. If they do, such navigation may be carried as far as the Grand Cauon crossiug. In order to accomplish 19 this, strong stern-wheel steamers, of light draught, with heavy power, will iioed lo be used, while all the merchandise will have to be placed on barges. The local necessities for navigation, even this far, seem, at the present moment, to be very few. Scarcely any mines exist in close proximity to the river, and of those above Mqjave the only ones known are at El Dorado thinon. There is no agricultural land of any moment above the same point, and there are no roads for communication to the interior any higher uj), except to the ^lor- mon settlements on the Muddy, and tiiese lind, at tiie present prices, the Central Pacific Railroad having been built, that it is better and cheaper to receive sup[)lies via Salt Lake. Steamers run up now as far as ]\rojave with Government freight — occasionally as far as EI Dorado Cafiou, where a small mining enteri>rise is being carried on. The proposition stands thus, so far as present means of information, which for all practicable uses are authentic, th it in case any developments of the country call for it, the Colorado Kiver can be'7iavigatcd by steamers as far as the old Indian crossing, about one and one-half miles below the foot of the Grand Canon; but that beyond it its waters can serve no beueflt to the internal coin- municatiouorthe gratlual development of its surrounding country except for purposes of irrigation. The reaching of the mouth of tiie Virgin has brought us to the extreme southern end ot the main line of the recounaissaiiite. The further continuance had to be controlled by the force at dis- posal, and the desire to gain all possible information while upon the ground, not alone for the sake of information and the full performance of duty, but (!onnected with it a lingering regard for the misfortunes of another, who possibly might be sent to examine this wild and desolate region, pro- vided this reconnaissance did not complete the required end. It apjiears that a renegade band of Navajo Indians have been in the habit of crossing the Col- orado at both La I'aria and Ute Crossings, making raids ujjon the Mormon stock near St. George, and retreating by the same route. Provided tlie future development of Southern Nevada calls for the establishment of a military post, or posts, tiiere are but few ])oints at which this can be done. The direct lines through, as is shown, are but two in number. Upon one or the otlier of these such post, or posts, must be estab- lished, except further knowledge shows that some one point calls, on account of local, political, or strategic importance, for a post in its immediate vicinity. At Meadow Vallej', all that is reijuired for the erection and sustenance of a post can be found. It is quite outside of the north and south lines of travel. On the line from Toano to the mouth of the Virgin, there are really but four eligi- ble points — at Murray's Creek, Cave Camp, Pahranagat Valley, and the Muddy. The finest of these positions, as regards central location and surrounding necessities, is Pahranagat. Although w hen we had reached the Colorado a great sense of relief came over us, tliat our recon- naissance line had been so far extended, yet it was well known by every one of the little party that the greater part of one of the hardest trips was yet before us. On the morning of the 2d October we leave the mouth of the Virgin to thread our way, hugging the river as closely as possible, intending to follow this programma as far as El D3rado Canon, should circumstances permit. The lirst day out proved a very disastrous and fatiguing one, and the night coming ou found us ill three parties, each in a sandy wash leading down to the river near Callville — some without water and with rations, others with water and no rations, and others again without either. We succeeded in getting together and reaching Callville by 1 p. m. of the next day, with only the consolation of look- ing biick and seeing that great dittieulties had been passed, while, turning to the other liand, as great ones stared us in the face. CJALLVILLE. This was originally started as a little Mormon landing, from whence stores coming to the river could be shipped to the settlements of Southern Utah, (iuite a large store-house and several stone shanties had been erected ; all were abandoned at the date of our arrival, adding desolation to ster- ility. There is no possible reason for regenerating the place, and whenever a stray traveler reaches the.se solitudes he w ill only see, as we have seen, the deserted store-houses and surrounding shanties. Here news from the party at Las Vegas ranch met us, ami also the intelligence that some grain had arrived at the mouth of Vegas wash — good news, since that purchased at St. Thomas had 20 become exbanstetl, and beyQnil a little salt grass at tbe inoutii of tlio Viigiu, nothing Lad been encountered in the way ol' forage. Tbe road down tbe Virgin from tbe confluence of tbe Muddy is not passable for heavy wagons in high water, on account of shifting sands. At these times a road upon the sand mesas to the westward will have to be constructed. This will be a rough and sandy road. From the mouth of Las Vegas "Wash we have before us the Black Butte, near w hich Lieutenant Ives came with bis boat at his farthest station upon the Colorado, while with the river party. At this point there is a little sand island, around which a small part of the river runs and again returns to the mother stream, collecting much alkaline matter in its passage. Eeacbing this, Lieutenant Ives judged that they had found the mouth of the Virgin, and looking to tbe east and north, they saw the dark, high mountains, that seemed to say there lies no passage beyond, concluded that fartlier than this point no navigation of the Colorado conld be effected. The mountain scenery in this locality, to my idea, was the most wild, picturesque, and i)leasing of any that it has ever been my fortune to meet. The walls of the Black Canon rise steep, dark, and sharp on the south and east, and to the northeast those of Boulder Canon, while the continua- tion of ranges leading to the north and northwest makes our station a])pear similar to that of a depression in a grand basin, from which escape seems ditidcnlt in any direction. The walls of Boulder Canon are nearly perpendicular, from twelve to fifteen hundred feet in height. The scene encountered upon reaching tbe river by moonlight was one of extreme loneliness and grandeur. The next morning those so fortunate as to return follow up the wasli to meet the train, in camp at Las Vegas, while tbe hardy party — pioneers of the last few days — have continued on the trail toward El Dorado Canon. A hard day's march in the burning sun is concluded, and night bring.s nothing save tbe certainty that no camp has been reached, and that no one knows where there is any water. We had been directed to some ambiguous place nearly one mile away from the trail where it was .said that it could be found, and flually, a little before midnight, we did find it — Lieu- tenant Lockwood and myself coming in somewhat later than the pack-train. Never was water more acceptable, though found in so drear a locality, high up among some dark volcanic-looking foot hillSj upon which no one would suppose that rain bad ever fallen. During the day the surveying party had gotten lost, and at night we did not know where they were — an affair that caused much uneasiness, as it would have been little better than death if they had followed any route except the one leading to Las Vegas. After reaching El Dorado Canon, our apprehensions were quieted, and another party started out and came to that point. Strange as it may seem, there was a slight amount of wild bunch-grass, or " hard-tack," as it is called, near at hand to our dismal camp, w^hich, though very dry, offers some nourishment to the animals, that are allowed to graze till 10 a. m.; after which a brave start is made, and after winding in and out of canons and sandy washes, tbe mill at El Dorado Canon is reached before nightfall. During the day, and while crossing several high divides, the river stretched out before us down be- low Cottonwood Island, and the mountains that follow down below Fort Mojave and to the east can be plainly seen. Tbe position of the post can also be nearly determined by the aid of a field-glass, although the distance was at least sixty miles. A day's rest was taken at the mouth of the caiiou to see if an y thing could be heard from the surveying party, and on the succeeding morning we start back and meet another party sent out from the " Vegas," at a little spring in the canon, not very far from the mines. While at this point, a short time was taken to look at a few of the leads in El Dorado Distiiict. lU'fore the war these mines had been the scene of some little excitement, which snb.sequently w as broken np, and the camp nearly abandoned. About ISGo a revival was created, and some of the mines have since been worked. In 18G0 a company of troops weie stationed near the mouth of the cafion. The principal lead is the Techatticnp, which has all the appearance of a true fissure- vein, though not very wide. The surface-showing of ores have always assayed high ; those from the interior liave rich mineral indications, but at our coming, by the ordinary amalgamation pro- cess—the only one used— did not yield a large return. Whether this resulted from mismanagement, or the fact that the process was poor and the mill old, it is dillicult to say. Tbe vein-matter shows 21 galena, siili>liide of silver, and copper pyrites. The sulphide of silver and what little chloride is found are all that so far have yielded any return. In case that arrangements were made for roasting, it seems almost certain tliat this mine could be made productive. The facilities for mining are extremely unfortunate. The miues are iu a perfect desert, without wood or water. Every tiling connected with their working is expensive, and must so continue until competition can be brought to I)ear upon facilities for transportation. The other mines in this district are comparatively undeveloped. Tlieir number is legion, as is nearly always the case in mining sections. Every boulder that has a streak of mineial is likely to be located as a ledge, with all its dips and spurs, angles, &c. From this point we turn our backs to the far-famed Colorado, tiiat .should be known as the Kiver of the Desert; winding its way here through steep and sterile canon.s, and therethrough arid and long extended de.serts, acting as an imperfect channel of communication, varying in velocity and volume. In my travels it has been my lot to cross it twice— at Mojave'and Fort Yuma — and to examine its character for nearly seventy miles from El Dorado Canon to the month of the ^'i^gin, and when we looked back upon it for the last time no sense-was touched, save that of relief. During the day of October Oth tcpo^raphical parties have made the best use of the time, and the next day at 2 p. m. all start to join the main camp at Las Vegas. October Sth finds us all together agiin, a sorry-looking crowd, although the camj) is a pleasant one. Nearly every one wishes to go by the Salt Lake road to Los Angeles — by far the easiest route, as by going to the northward at the time of reaching the latitude of White Pine it was expected to find much frost and snow. The fixed resolution of going back on this line was still i)ersisted in by myself, although it seemed a thing almost impossible, considering the state of the transi)orta- tiou. However, as it was necessary to send to Fort Mojave for supplies, it was thought best to forward a reipiisition for mules. Four were received, ami these, in connection with the six captured from the Jlormons, greatly recuperated our worn-out train. While remaining at this camp a reconnaissance was made toward Potosi ."\Iountain, iu vicinity of Salt Lake road ; one along the Vegas wash, and another to northwest along the range known as Spring ^lountain range. I was in charge of tlie latter, and had left instructions for the train to meet our small party at Indian Springs. The reconnaissance to the west and south was conducted in charge of Lieutenant Lockwood as far as the old Potosi, now known as the Yellow Pine District. A description of this district appears in the preliminary report of 1S71. The Indians in the vicinity of Las Vegas are the Pah-Utes, and vary in numbers from fifty or sixty to one hundred and fifty or two hundred, according as they see tit to live iu the valley, or keep to the mountains. Some of these at times make their wick eups about El Dorado Canon, and again a few near Cottonwood Island, on the river ; while the most of these same Indians are found in the mountains of the Spring ^lountain range, and to the northwest from the Vegas, numbering as high as three or four hundred, all told. As some of these Indians could speak Sho- shone, it was concluded that our guide would be able to gather from some of them information about getting north from Indian Si)rings. The result proved quite fortunate in giving us a knowledge ot one of the worst forced marches of the trip. During this detour quite an amount of mineral cr()i)ping was discovered by some members of the party. The section was designated as the Timber Mountain District iu consequence of its close proximity to a large quantity of very line pine timber, high up on the mountains. The croppings were galena, cidoride of silver, and pyrites, with indications of gold. The ledges, in some instances, were large and well defined. The chances for mining were comparatively good. The develop- ment of mines so far remote must dejiend njion time and increased facilities of inland transporta- tion. If a railroad is built through Southea.stern Nevada, a mineral section will be developed not to be equaled on this coast, throwing open chances for legitimate mining operations, where capital, used with Judgment, will ultimately prove a profitable investment. The building of the .%jth parallel road will improve and render quite accessible some of the minini: prospects of this latitude. Intelligence received from the camp at Las Vegas, upon our arrival at Inilian Springs, told of the desertion of two men and the loss of five of our best animals. This further crippling of our 22 wasted force of auimals was so disheartening tliat it appeared almost impossible to attempt the trip to the north, as all of them were growing weaker each day from the effect of eating the young salt grass at Las Vegas. Having found some fine bunch-grass about seven miles distant from ludian Spring, orders were sent back for tbe wagons to come on to this point, and they did so, reaching it on the evening of the 22d October. The animals were sent to the mountains to graze, and all our energies gathered for a severe march. To make this, a division into four parties was effected, as at two of the springs it was known there was not enough water for more than six or eight animals. On the evening of the 28th October the first party moved out of camp, each one with a feeling of uncertainty as to the success of getting through with the teams. During the next day the second and third parties left, and on the following day the last. The march for seven or eight miles from Indian Spring was across an alkali flat, which became almost impassable iu consequence of a rain that had -conimcnced some few hours before the starting of the last party. This party traveled till midnight, when the animals being badly worn out, a halt was made for a few hours. The next day at 1 p. m., Quartz Spring was reached. The march to this point had been across alkali flats, sandy washes, and broken mesas. A more thoroughly horrible road could not be imagined. Eesting for about one hour at Quartz Spring — a little spring some one and one-half miles up a canon from the sandy wash iu which the road runs, and from which eighteen small buckets of water were obtained — it was considered better to ride on to ascertain how good luck the advance parties were having. This was done, and, on the night of the 2d November, Crescent Mill, to the west- ward of Pahrauagat, was reached, from which point the advance party had gone ou for seven or eight miles to a place where there was more water and grass. The animals of the second and third parties were driven in during the night to get water, having become too much exhausted to drag iu the wagons. The distance from Indian Spring to Crescent Mill is nearly ninety miles, and may be looked upon as a desert for the entire distance, as at the two springs the amount of water obtained was not so great as that taken along in casks and kegs. The grades are mostly ascending. The sandy washes and broken character of the road render it a very disastrous route for anything like heavy-laden teams. Our wagons could never have gone through except for the dividing up and consequent good management, and not even then, except that from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds of surplus materials were thrown away at Indian Spring. Much credit was due to every one con- nected with the command for the energy and perseverance iu this desert trip, which, beiug the most difficult of the season, was taken after long and protracted hardships during a summer's stay in the mountains. Finally, ou November i, all the train succeeded in making camp at Schafer's Springs ; a weary, dirty-looking set, worse in appearance than emigrants. Considering that Lieutenant Lockwood had not been able to visit the mines in Pahrauagat District during his passage to the south, and as we were very near to them while at Crescent Mill, it was considered advisable to nurke a hasty visit while the teams were iu camp, for the purpose of recuperating. This route was through Logan Springs to Silver Canon, where are situated most of the buildings belonging to the Hyko Silver Mining Company, engaged iu mining on a large scale. This trip aflbrded many new hints. Tliis company own nearly all the mines in the district, and leads that stretch over a distance of five miles. The general direction of the most of these is nearly north aiul south, while many feeders, chimneys, wings, and cross-veins exist that, when developed, run into the iriother vein. The Illinois and Indiana were the leads most worked, and those showed well defined walls at a depth of nearly 300 feet. The ore is low grade, but of large amount. Mucli money has been spent in the enterprise, with, so far, little return. One of the finest ten- stamp mills in the State has been put up at Hyko. Everything connected with the mining of the ore is conducted in the best manner. The expense of hauling the ore to Hyko, a distance of about ten miles, and wood also, brings tlie jirice of roasting so high that both together eat up all the l)rofit. An attempt was being made to find water iu Silver Canon, and a depth of ninety-seven feet had been reached. A hasty trip was made to Hyko and down Pahrauagat Valley toward the lake, as it was desirable to learn more with regard to the valley that, by common consent, is considered as the most fertile 23 iu Soutbera Xevada. The little town of flyko is at tbe head of the valley, practically so, since the Iiead has to be takcu at the couiinencement of arable land, determined, in this case, by tbe appear- ance of a large spring, the water of which brings the land into a state (ifc for cultivation. Tiiere is quite a strii) of line vegetal)Ie mold farther up that can never be made use of for want of irrigation. This is covered with a Inxurient growth of sage-brush. It has been noted that, thronghout Nevada, wherever the sagebrush grows thick aud to a large size, the soil underneath is susceptible of the highest cultivation. Unfortunately, however, water is latiking in most of tiiese localities, except at some future day artesian wells develop the existence of large basins of water in the valley depressions. The mesas from the east side of the l*ahranagat range come down so closely upon the \alley that it is rendered (piite narrow, but what there is of it is extremely fertile. The length is something over thirty miles, and width from three-fourths to one and one-half miles. The land-surveys show that there is from fifteen to eighteen thousand acres of land subject to cultivation. This is an amount not equalled by any other valley encountered in our travels, except IJuby Valley. There are three large springs that rise suddenly out of the ground, showing powerful subterranean force. The amounts of water are wulhcient for the irrigation of all that part of the valley necessary to be irrigated. Some parts saturated continually need no irrigation. Adobes can be made for buildings. Wood is not plenty, and must come from the neighboring hills. Bunch-grass is found on the foothills at the lower end of the valley. The valley-grass in some parts is salt grass; iu others, the " blue-joint" appears. Cattle thrive upon any of it when acclimated. Stopping at several of the ranches, I was much sur- l)riscd at seeing such luxuriance of vegetation ; vegetables were especially large, both in size and production, and excellent in (juality. The approximate area of agricultural land in the valleys traversed by our parties is two hun- dred and lifty square miles, showing the great scarcity of arable land. It appears certain that lands in Southeastern Xevada lit for agricultural production will, in time, be valuable. A return to our camp at Schafer's Springs is made, and orders given for the train to move on as far as Quinn Caiiou, the next stopping-place. Meanwhile a detour is made for the purpose of obtaining topography of and information in regard to the TIM-PAU-UTE MINES. These are situated iu the sDutheru end of a short detached range to the northeast Irom Tim- Tah-Ute IVak, ami to the W(!st of the head of Pahranagat Valley. Their surface-showing is very fine, and the ores assay very rich. The slight developments made determined nothing as to the surety of the development of a fissure vein or veins. The opportunities for mining and milling are not convenient, but, on the other hand, very ditticult. The nearest water is Tick-aboo Springs, some eight miles distant. The Orescent Mill, sixteen miles from the mines, had Just completed arrangements, at that time, to mill their ore. The nearest ai)proach from the vicinity of AVliite Pine is viring, Snake, Lake, I'ahranagat, IJuse, (.'etlar, Eagle, Dry, Clover, Meadow, Vegas, Coal, Sierra, Railroad, and Alkali. Eighteen mining districts were visited, that lie within the area eiiibract'd by our route, as follows: Cave, White Pine, IJobiuson, Patterson, Sacramento, Snake, Shoshone, Ely, El Dorado, Yellow Pine, Timber JMouutain, Hercules, Tim-Pah-Ute, Pahranagat, Ueveille, Hot Creek, Morey, and Grant. Slight glances at their character, and a sonu-what general description of each, is given in the body of the report. There are really two distinct and som.-what jiarallel lines: One, leaving the railroad near Toana, bears southward thnmgh Ste])toe Valley, via Cave aud Pahrana- gat Valleys, and thence along the Muddy and ^'irgin IJiversto the Colorado; thence by a prospect- ive route till some point on the military road fiom .'\loJave to Prescott is reached. The other, leav- ing the railroad at Elko, passes west of Hamilton, down Kailntad \'alley, thence, via Crescent Mill. Indian Springs, Las Vegas, and Hardy ville, to the same military road. If any route is ever used as a through line of travel, either as a railroad or as a country road, for any heavy transportation, it must be the one crossing the Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin. The more westerly line is comparatively a desert all the way to H:mly\ille, after White Piue is reached. P>y a refei-ence to the tallies, it will appear that the liistame troni 'lnano, on the Central PaciQc Kailroad, to Prescott, Ariz., on the natural roule of travel, is live hundred ami lifty-eight miles; while from I'^lko, a jmint farther south on the railroad, by a more westerly route, it is six hundred aud forty one miles, giving an advantage of l'> per cent, to the foiiner in distance alone. The other advantages, such as better roads, camps with better accommodations in regard to wood, water, and grass, and fewer desert nuirches, are superior to the one above mentioned. Provided the road can be made through from the nmnth of the Virgin, loaded wagons can reach Camp Toil- Gate from the Central Pacific IJailroad in twenty or twenty one days actual travel ; while, on the other route, it would take at least twenty-nine or thirty days, and longer intervals at stopping- 4 w 26 places, for rest, ou tbe route. Goverument stores freighted on sucb a Hue would cost, delivei'ed at Camp Toll Gate, 12i cents per pound for the freight, reckoning at the rate of 2i cents per pound for every hundred miles, which would naturally be about the average contract price. At present the contract price for freight via the mouth of the Colorado to Fort Mojave is 3| cents per pound, and from thence by land to Camp Toll-Gate 4| cents, making a total cost of transportation from Sau PYancisco of 8:^ cents per pound. It is likely that more than two-thirds of the gross weight of commissary and quartermaster stores that go into Arizona arejjurchased in San Francisco. In addition, then, to the 12?^ cents per pound, necessary to pay freight to Camp Toll-Gate, would have to be added the cost of freight- ing to some point on the Central Pacific Eailroad from San Francisco, or an addition of 2^ cents, making 1.5 cents per pound total cost. From this it clearly appears that supplies cannot be forwarded on any such line to posts in Northern Arizona, provided they are iiurchased in San Francisco. The saving in cost of purchase in Chicago, and subsequent shipping to some point on the Central Pacific Eailroad selected as a depot, are sulyects upon which even approximate estimates cannot be made, since the data are not at my disposal. There could be a saving made, after the route is opened, by stopping recruits for Northern Arizona at some point on the raih'oad, and having them march overland. This would come from the saving in transportation from said point on the Central Pacific Railroad to San Francisco, and thence to Wilmington, Cal., via steamer-5-an amount for each recruit of about $5G, coin. We will suppose that there are four hundred recruits per year to be distributed ; this would result in a saving of $20,000. AGRICULTURAL LANDS. These are so few in number and limited in amount, that, although the Ruby Valley meridian has been carried to the south as far as the California boundary, still there have been very few- places at which sectionizing has yet been called for. Pahranagat Valley has been sectionized by these parties, and, upon our return to the vicinity of White Pine, they were at work surveying on White River to the east of the mountains in which the Grant district is situated. Tiiere is a strip lyiug contiguous to our easterly line that will call for surveys in the future. These lands will be principally in Steptoe, Spring, Desert, Cedar, Eagle, Rose, Meadow, and Clover Valleys, also those upon the Muddy. BUNBRAL-BELTS. Through the section traversed there seem to be four distinct and well-defined mineral-belts, following a general northerly and southerly course along prominent mountain-ranges. The most westerly of these commences on the north with the Diamond range, in which Mineral Hill and Pinto Districts are found. In continuation of this range the Eureka District is encountered — a place of note. S])ecimens of ore seen at Hamilton were very fine, and the bulk of legitimate reports seem favorable. Going to the south, Morey and Hot Creek are reached, being in the Hot Creek range. Reveille District is also due south, but in different mountains. Then comes a desert, unexplored strip, unknown to white men, and but little inhabited by Indians. The old Amargosa mines lie in this same southern trend ; also several districts in Inyou County, California. The next belt commences with the mines in the Humboldt range — the only ones of any interest being in the Cave District facing on to Ruby Valley. Along in order come White Pine, Grant, Pahranagat, Tim-Pah-ute, Groom, Timber Mountain, and Yellow Pine, also the Clark District, to the south of Yellow Pine and in California. The third belt commences at Egau Canon, and following the range of that name, contains the Hercules ami Robinson Districts. Going due south the ranges are not so well defined, and nothing is met with until El Dorado District is reached. It is believed that there are mineral-showings in the Egan range to the northward of Egan Canon, and before the railroad is reached. The fourth belt is found mainly in the Schell Creek range. The first known are those in Nevada District j then comes the Patterson, from whence the mountains bear a little to the east of 21 south, ami tlie Ely mines arc in a brcak-ofl' from tliis range. To the south, antl following this trend, no gold or silver mines are known lietwccn the above point and the Colorado. Copper shows itself at one or two points. Those mines, including the Sacramento, Snake, Shoshone, and Silver Park Districts, that com- mence in the Snake range, and follow down along the Fortification Hills, seem to 1)(^ a short, detached licit, not so far extended as the others. Above the Ne\ada, and on the Schi'll Creek range, some mineral-districts have been found, but few developments are jet known. It is more than jirobable that if the general view of the topogra|)hy north of the railroad is dis- cussed, these same belts, or a part of tlu-m, will be found to extend far to the northward, following the general structure and trend of the noticeable chains of mountains; while below the Colorado, as soon as better topography is obtained, no doubt tlieir existence and continuation can be traced. A number of prospe(!tors have at one time and another run over these mountains, only the more energetic of them striking into the rougher i)arts, where lies the exposure of the mineral. For a long time to come new discoveries will be made, all tending to give a more definite char- acter and continuity of direction to the mineral belts described. INDIANS. The various tribes tliat were cncounlercd are as follows: Slioshones,Gosiutes, Snakes, Pah van ts, Utes, and Pah-Utes. For their numbers and general information aiMinired, 1 am iiulcbted to the guide and interpreter. The Shoshones are quite numerous, extending over a large section of country to the south of the Humboldt as far east as the meridian of mountains to east of Knby Valley, ami as far south as 37 degrees 30 n)inutes of latitude. Small parties of them were seen at Uaileck, Elko, Ruby Valley, aiul White Pine. The Cosiutes are farther to the eastward and northeast, and extend as far south as the 3Sth parallel. Again, to the east are the Snakes, closely analogous in disposition, and occupying a narrow longitudinal sli|). The L'ahvants are found only after tlic Utah line is passed, and most of them are to the east and southeast of Preuss Lake — our farthest station in that direction. The Indians between Snake and Meadow Valleys are an intermingling of Snakes, or Utes proper, and PahUtes, possessing no peculiarities of either, except the treachery of both to a height- ened degree. On our return trip, the Shoshones weie met again in the vicinity of Tim-Pah-Ute Mountains. The number of Indians actually seen iiiMn Cailon, either of which shows sharp i)rofiles. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to all the members of the expedition for the able and satisfactory manner in which they have a.ssisted in the performance of the duties entrusted to my charge. PKSCrvTPTTOX OF THE Tvl-XMIXXAL^SANCE. The comnicnceineiit liavinj^ been in tlie oaily [lart oC .hine ami the termination in the latter part of ifovember, nearly six months were occupied in i)reliminary and actual field labor, wliicli ])n)ved a proi)iti<>us season, considering' the varied chaiiKi's of teMi|)erature in some of the more northerly sections near to, and luntli of, the latitude of ^Vllite Pine. In this \icinity the winters are very severe, especially in localities haviufj; a Li};h alliliidc, while the sinnineis are delightful, excei)t at some few places at which fogs and winds ])re\ ail. The melting of the snows in spring furnishes water in abundance for the waids of vegetation, and the bunch-grass, so common among the hills, is in its best condition. (Jur return-trip brought us again to this region prior to the harsh snows and severe temperatures of the coming winter; while the time at which the immediate ilesert of the t'olorado was reached (in October) was too late for the glaring and continuous heat of the midsummer days. The greater actual accuracy of prominent points of the survey is in the area north of White Piue, since the four jiositions at which longitude by telegraph was obtained form the grouiul- work, while the lines that act as bases, going toward the ('olorado, are nearly north and south, giving fewer chances for a great error in longitude, where alone errors of any considerable mag- nitude arise. The use; of the little (iehl theotlolitc, const iin^ted especially for reconnaissance-work, has proven to be such a great improvement that very little chairgc between the positions, as obtained Irom the results of the astronomical work and the meanders, was necessary to be made. The porta- bility of the instruinent and the accuracy of its readings recommend it at once as an almost indis. pensable article for exploring jtarties, and to their use the accuracy of the jiresent reconnaissance has been greatly due. The daily march varied from ten to thirty miles; the survey paiti<'s, in extreme cases, have been managed independently of the main party, falling back upon it for supiilies. The traveled roads or trails, carefully meandered and measured by odometers, form the ba.se- line for the tiiangulated points, the stations never exceeding two or two and a half miles ai)art, and such distances only occuiring in valleys where the road was nearly straight. The magnetic bearings were corrected by tiuding the variation of the needle at every camj). The heights of the prondnent peaks have generally been determined by using angles of eleva- tion taken from points on the l)ase-line, the elevations of w Inch have been determined from baro- metric work. This has been modified at points where peaks could be ascended, and here barometric readings have been used, and advantage of such occasions has been taken to triangulate to distant peaks that, at times, could be distinctly dclined against tiie horizon at a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. Stone moniiincnts liave been elected at these stations as reference-jwints for the future. The necessities of the march and the desire to traverse as largo an area as possible have caused in some cases a deliciency of tojiographical detail, while, on the other hand, the general features as regards positions of prominent points, and i»ractical information, arc of a sullicicntly accurate uatnro to answer all present wants. PKIJSONNEL. First Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, in charge ; First Lieut. D. \V. Lock- wood, Corps of Engineers, executive oflicer and astronomical assistant; I'. AV. llamcl, principal 30 topographer; Carl liaskopfif, assistant topographer; C. E. Fellerer, assistant; Wm. M. Ord, assistant, with the necessary number of guides, packers, laborers, &c., and an escort of two non- commissioned officers and twenty-three enlisted men of Company H, Eighth United States Cavalry. LONGITUDE BY TELEGEAPH. While sextants and chronometers are the most accurate instruments that can be readily trans- ]>orted by parties moving rapidly in the field, and latitude can be determined sufficiently accurate for ordinary practical purposes by their use, the question of longitude is exceedingly uncertain, since so very strange are some of the inaccuracies of rate in the chronometers that, no matter how many are used, the results must be accepted with caution. Being well aware of tliese facts, arrangements were made, while preparing for the season's work, to take advantage of the telegraph, to find out at any moment the local errors of the chronometers upon San Francisco time. It was deemed possible to accomplish this at four points, viz, Elko, Peko, lluby, and Hamilton. With the two latter places the lines of the Western Union Telegraph Company connect, and through the kindness of the managers at San Francisco, Messrs. Mumford, Ladd, and Yountz, permission was granted for the use of their lines, and a letter of instructions to their agents in lluby Yalley and Hamilton was furnished ; besides, they very kindly arranged,' through Mr. Yaudenberg, at Sac- ramento, the superintendent of the lines of the Central Pacific Railroad, to connect, so that a com- plete circuit should exist between San Francisco and points on the Central Pacific Eailroad, near Camp Halleck. Prof. George Davidson, United States Coast Survey, whose kindness in this matter is worthy of many thanks, offered to take charge of the signals at San Francisco, but he was obliged to start on his trip to the North to observe during the solar eclipse. Prior to our reaching Camp Halleck, j\laj. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, having been spoken to upon this matter, his co operation was at once enlisted, and, out of the five times that telegraphing was done, he was at the key during four of them ; the other, being the one at Elko, was superintended through the kindness of Capt. H. J. Rogers, United States Coast Survey. The scheme for attaining accui'acy in the recording of the signals was furnished by Professor Davidson, of the Coast Survey, a copy of which is herewith given. PROGRAMME FOR DETERMINATION OF DIFFERENCE OF LONGITUDE BY TELEGRAPH BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., AND STATIONS IN NEVADA— PROPOSED BY PK< )F. GEORGE DAVIDSON, UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY. Lieutenant Wheeler to telegraph to San Francisco immediately upon his arrival at any station, and say when he will be ready to receive signals. To receive them he will have his chronometer ready at the telegraph-office. When Professor Davidson or JMaJor Robert is ready, he will send message to Elko, or the station, to that effect, and, after preliminaries, for a few minutes will carry out the following programme: Professor Da- vidson or Major Robert : Rattle, rattle, rattle ; interval of fifteen seconds ; then transmit one signal of which Lieutenant Wheeler must note the time by his chronometer ; a second signal fifteen seconds later, and so on, one signal every fifteen seconds for three minutes, then three rattles to close. Then Lieutenant Wheeler will send to Professor Davidson or Major Robert a similar set of signals at given times, of fifteen seconds apart, for three minutes by his chronometer. Professor Davidson or ]\Iajor Robert will then send San Francisco time of his first and last signal, also the error of his chronometer on San I'^iancisco time. Lieutenant Wheeler will send his chronometer-time of first and last signals and the error of his chronometer, if obtained ; if not known, then he will transmit it by rail as soon as ascertained. When Lieutenant \\heeler returns Irom his trii) this programme can be repeated previous to his return to-San Francisco. The above .scheme has been carried out, and the following tables show the details of the results : 31 Signalt/or longitude by Megraph between Piko, Kev., and Sun Francinco, Cat., June 30, 1809 — 9.30 to 10.20 p. .-■ ■ >.~:. St: •°. s s Date. Station. trail am it jor Rube meter. is! ^ a Z s^ § ^ s « ij i^-% .g5S s H H Q 1869. h. m. s. /t. m. s. (. June 30 Peko, Nev 10 32 0. 10 31 36.2 10 31 31.3 33 06. 4 32 31. 3 32 3G. 2 32 31. 2 33 06. 1 33 21. 2 33 36.3 33 51. 1 34 06. 1 34 21.3 in 34 36. 3 33.8 33.7 23.6 23. 7 23.8 23.8 23.9 23.8 23.7 2J.9 23.9 23.8 33.8 ' 10 35 0. Aleau. 23.8 Beniarks. Tlimuyh ropt'otcTfl at TVatlflworth, Nl'v. E.Htimatfil (It'luy thiuii;;li uuo set ol' repeaters ^ 0".04. Operator nt Poko, "Mr. Wood ; opornt'ir jit San Francisco, Mitjor Kubert, IT. S. Engincora, luid nnknowu. Mi^or RobiTt'a tinioelovr of Sau FrauciBCo moan timo at time of observation =: 2-1". 5. 23".P + 24".5 ~ 48".3 clironomoter 1283 slow on San Francisco mean time. Bate. 1869. Jano 30 '.2 Sail Francisco San Francisco . Peko, Nev h. m. a, 10 33 30. 00 10 33 6. 30 a h. m. ». +0 34. 50 +0 38 33. 59 It. f». 0. 10 33 54. 50 11 1 31.79 S Lonptudeof Snn Francisco Correction of chronometer for midnight of June 30, +28'° 23*.49 ; rate, 3'.40 gaining per day. Final difference of lousitiide for Peko, Nev Or Means. A m. 9. 27 37. 27 8 9 3ei.33 7 42 0. 96 U5030'14".50 32 SignaUfor longitude by hhgruph belweeii Jilko, .Y(i'., and San Fnmiisco, Cal., July 1, 1S()9. a o u o - 2 Date. Station. g b § ® rt o f- c S C O .to o a © Kemarks. 1869. It. VI. 8. ft. m. «. «. July 1 Elko, ttev 9 57 00. 9 56 37. 1 22.9 Through repeater at Wadsworth, Xev. Operators at San Francisco, Captain Kpdgfsrs. 52.1 22.9 57 7.1 22.85 United States Coast Survey, and Mr. Ladd, Sec- 22.15 22.9 retary 'Western Union Telegraph Company ; at 37.1 22.9 Elko, Messrs. Irwin and Stewart. 52.1 22.9 22".95+25".3 = 48".25, chronometer 12^3 slow on 58 7.1 33.9 San Francisco moan time. S2.2 22.9 Rate during interval, +0".n5; not entirely to be 37.1 22.9 depended upon, as the signals at Peko were 52.1 22. 9 neither aspeifect nor as satisfactory as at Elko. 10 0.0 59 37. 1 llean. 22.9 22.9 Signal. Lieutenant "Wheeler. Captain Kodgers. h. m. s. ft. m. s. S. First 10 1*2 15 10 1'"* 38 **3 Last . 10 15 15 10 15 38 23.0 » Date. Signals sent from— J, c a 1 1 a a i 1 o 1 2 3 1 a > el Is s 3 Means. 1869. A. m. s. ft. VI. .-i. h. m. s. h. m. s. ft. m. s. July 1 San Frnnrisco. San Francisi'o 58 30. 00 + 25. 30 fl 58 55. 30 Elko 9 58 7. 10 +0 27 21. 01 10 25 31. 11 26 35. 81 Elko,^'OT San Francisco. 10 14 8. 00 +0 25. 30 10 14 33. 30 Elko.Nev FU 10 13 45. 00 4-n 27 23.98 26 35. 75 Lonpitude of San Francis CO 8 9 3S.23 Correction of chronomctc r for midnight of Julys, -t-27"' iil\34 rate per day, 2».50 gaining; therefore the above corrections. 7 43 2. 48 115°45'37".20 Or 33 Signals for longitude by telegraph between Ruby, Nev., and San Francisco, Cah, July 9, 1869, 11 S Pi ■3.S Date. Station. Time of trn by Lieut er's chroo Time of rec Major cbronome 6 »2 Remarks. 1869. h. m. ». h. m. 9. >. July 9 Raby, Nev 10 28 45 10 29 02 8 017 8 Operator at Ruby, Mr. Anderson. Operator at San Franoisoo, M^or 10 29 00 Robert and 10 29 15 Mr. Sawyer. 10 29 30 Lieutenant Wboeler'a chronometer 1263, alow on 10 29 45 San Francisco mean time, 49 seconds. 10 30 00 10 30 IS 10 30 3D 10 30 45 10 31 00 10 31 IS 10 31 30 10 31 45 10 32 02. 8 Mean. 017.8 17.9 Date. 1 S c C a (S •a 5 in i •3 O (2 a II Z t o ~ IS .1 1 i e i o I 1 5 E > if 3 O o Means. 1869. h. m. 3. h, m. s. A. m. ». h. m. $. t. h. m. e. Jnly 9 Ruby. Nev Kuby.Nev.... 10 30 IS. 00 +0 28 22. 70 10 58 37. 76 Kuby.Nev.... San Francisco. 10 30 32. 80 +0 31.20 10 31 4. 00 27 33. 70 0.04 27 31. 78 8 9 38. 23 Correction of chronometer for midnieht of Joly 9, +28»23".66; rate, 2«. 40 gaining per day. Final ditference of longitude for Ruby, Nov 7 42 4. 45 Or 115° 31' C".75 O Vf 34 Signals for longitude ly telegraph ietween Hamilton, Nev., and San Francisco, Cal., November 19, 1869. Date. Station. Time of transmittal, b,v Major Kobert's chronometer. Time of receival, by LientenanfWbeel- er's chronometer. £ (5 Remarks. 1669. h. 7/1. ». h. m. 8. s. Nov. 19 5 12 9 15 38. 1 Operator.? at Hamilton, Nov., Messrs. IngaUs and 53.0 Henderson ; at San Francisco, Major Robert 16 08. 1 and . 23.1 Chronometer No. 1283, at 10 p. m., acoordiug to 38.1 M.Tjor Robert's signals, = 6» 20°.9 ; according to 53.1 Lieutenant Wheeler's signals, = 6" 20°.5 ; mean 17 08. 1 error (fast) = C» 20°.7. 23.0 37.9 52.9 18 08. 23.1 5 15 0» 9 18 38. 1 4 03. 38 Signals. Transmitted by Lieuten- ant "Wheeler. Received by Major Rob ert. Differ- ence. h. m. s. h. m. B. h. m. s. First ... 9 29 30 5 25 52.3 Last 9 32 30 5 28 52.3 i 03 37. 7 Date. ca 0) 1 i 1 1 a s . S-.fc ."8 a o S 1 a 6 .J 1 •a 1 £ 5 Donble-wave time. Means. 1869. h. -m. s. h. m. s. h. m. s. h. m. s. ft. m. J. Nov. 19 San Francisco. SanFranciaco. 9 13 30. 00 -0 2 41.54 9 10 48. 46 SanFranciaco, HamUtou 9 17 8.05 +0 20 59. 55 9 38 7. 60 27 19. 14 Hamilton San Francisco. 9 27 22. 30 -0 2 41.54 9 24 20. 76 Hamilton Hamilton 9 31 0. 00 -f 20 59. 52 9 51 59. 52 18.76 27 18. 95 Longitude of San Francis There are made four sets CO 8 9 38. 23 of observations for time by equal altitxides, giving a mean correction for the chronometer of SO^ 3vl ) .slow at 11».7 into noon. This observation was made at Monte Christo Mills on the 18th of November The cbronometer was then carried over to Hamilton for exchange, conse- qnently the difference )f longitude between San Francisco and Monte Christo Mills is obtained. The rate of the chronometei wa.s at this time 2'.57 per day, gives the corrections for the chniuometer as used above. Final diflerence of longitt Or 7 42 19. 28 1I50 34'49".SO It may be considered as a distinctive feature of the present reconnaissance that, althougli the instruments for taking astronomical observations have been limited to sextants and chronometers, yet, by the use of the telegraph, results have been attained that compare favorably with those that 'would be expected from a more extended series of observations with more perfect astronomical instruments, and opportunity aflbrded for determining with more certainty the rate of the chro- nometers upon which the les.ser or greater accuracy of the approximate longitudes to the south- ward depend. 35 SEXTANT ASTRONOJEIOAL OBSERVATIONS. * Latitude olmervatiori.s were made at most of the camps vyheie tlie party remaineiess emigrants, both male and female, old and young. The details of this dreadful occurrence were gleaned here and there, and, when fully known, for all coming history will staiul out as one of the most disgusting pictui-es of human baseness. The Utes or Piedes cultivate the soil, are at war with no particular tribe, and, excepting the fact that they are great thieves, and treacherous to a heightened degree, even for an Indian, do not differ greatly from others of these mountain tribes. They have no hesitation to rob, plunder, and mur- der, piovided they are not found out, while their sagacity teaches them the advantages to be gained from the reputation of "good Indians." They have a most wonderful antipathy against Germans, whom they cjin tell at a glance, and no one of this nationality can get past their habitations without a good chance of losing everything he has in the way of jiersonal effects. I know of no manner iu which to e.\i)lain the above except that this tribe has been for long years at enmity with the >>'ava- joes, who have been iu the habit of crossing the Colorado and making inroads upon the Utes and Piedes, taking their stock, squaws, or anything el.se, anil then beating a hasty retreat. It is a legend among these Indians that the Navajoes at one time captured a large (lerman emigrant- train, killing all the men and taking the women to their villages, and thereby created a changed race of bad blood, they say ; and possibly in their own minds they tliiid< that all their troubles with the Navajoes have arisen in conseipu-iu'e. These Utes w Piedes had killed two men in a canon leail- iug into one that we traversed from Jleadow \'alley to the JIuddy settlements. These were travel- ers with good horses. The Indians who were supposed to have been concerned had left their wick- e-ups and lied. PAH-UTES. The Pah-Utes, or WaterUtes, .are a tribe not differing in any marked way from the Utes, and, like them, of strong physical build, a lively, bright, black eye, rather thin front face and more aqui- line contour, bespeaking acuter mental characteristics than mostof the Indiansof the great mountain basin. Their eastern limit is the western one of the Utes or Piedes ; the Colorado bounds them on the south, and tothe north and west, theGreat Death Valley of Southwestern Nevada, that almost extends to and joins Death Valley proper in California. Wo found their wick-e-up at Las Vegas Kanch, at various points on the Spring ^Mountain range, and some few at Eldorado Canon ami below, in and about Cottonwood Island. There cannot be more than two thousand in all, the in-inci- pal chief of whom is Tercherum, an honest, well dispositioned, chunky little man, who .seemed to have but little authority outside of his own small number of wicke-nps. For the most part they are a wicked, sau(;y, and indepentlent set. They have seen and mixed with many white-s, principally on the old emigrant road ; know well the value of mouej', and have a great desire for clothes and blankets. They make frequent pilgrimages, and always return well laden with spoils, both in wardrobe and funds. They plant but little, living for the greater part on piuenuts, which are vei*?!' i)lentiful, and by hunting, which around these mountains is better than at any point along the route. By a little good management they could be collected together and made a self-supporting peoi)le. No presents, so far as I could learn, have been made to any of these Indians to the south of 38° latitude, or Quinn's Canon, to which ])()iut it is understood that the treaty made by Governor, now Senator, Nye, in 1803, extended. It is hoped that the information at present gained, and which may be acquired by careful attention on the part of the superintendent of Indian affairs for Nevada, will .soon give to these Indians the same annuities that others receive throughout the State ; and it will have a great effect iu quieting not only them, bnt the apprehension felt by settlers who occupy, in small parties, here and there, ranches, upon which the Indians at any time are aitt to levy contributions. CLIMATE. The climate of the area in question, embracing .such a large stretch in latitude, is necessarily varied. There mav be two natural limits assumed, as that between which snow does and does not 38 appear along the low foothills. The dividing line should be taken on a parallel with the head of Pahranagat Valley, although now and then a thin coating of snow has been known around Hyko. The northern section shows more variation of temperature ; the division into the wet and dry seasons is not so marked, and the intense cold noticed at higli altitudes is iu great contrast to the heat of the summer's day in the valleys. The biennial rains occur, however, and snow frequently appears instead of rain in the winter season. At altitudes not exceeding 7,000 feet, and there are but few points liable to be inhabited at a much gi-eater elevation, the maximum of temperature in summer will not exceed 100° Fahrenheit, while iu winter the mercury rarely fails more than 15° below the zero-point. Below the line of demarkation mentioned the biennial i-ains are strongly marked, occurring principally in the mouths of July and January. After leaving our camp in Cave Valley, Septem- ber 1, until reaching Indian Spring, October 25, there was not a single day of rain; at this point there were a few showers, followed by clear sky, until White Pine was again reached. The thermometer in the heat of summer often reaches from 118° to 120° in the shade at mid- day ui)on the Colorado. The clear, pure atmosphere, so extremelj' dry, renders this excess of tem- perature more endurable than an atmospiiere iu the Eastern States not exceeding 95° Fahrenheit. The glare of the sun, however, as reflected from the sandy washes and bare rocks, is very trying to tiie eyesight. Ice at times formed at points as far south as Las Vegas Springs, but only in thin films. It seems unfortunate that up to this time there should have been so few facilities for study- ing the climatology of the great interior basins of the American Continent, which, of course, can only be done after extensive series of atmospheric observations have been taken over long intervals. It would seem not ill-advised that a system should be adopted by the Government iu selecting marked stations at which to commence and continue these series, though it be at considerable cost. The following-named mining-districts in Nevada were visited. Tiie results of the examina- tions will be published in Volume I, of the series of Reports, which volume will also contain all the mining information gathered up to the close of the fleld-seasou of 1873. Name. No. of Atlas-sheet. By whom examined. Remarks. 49 49 49 58 49-58 49 58 58 66 58 66 66 49 58 58 58 58 58 Lieut. G. M. Wheeler. do White Piue do do Snake do do .. Also in 1872. do Ely do Also in 1871 '72 Colorado _ ... .do Tim-pah-ute .- do Also iu 1871 Yellow Piue , do do Timber Monutiiiii do Hercules . do Pahranagat Lake , . do Also in 1871 Reveille ,_ do • Hot Creek .do Also iu 1871 do do Grant do . . . . HEIGHT OF MOUNTAIN-RANGES. • This description must be limited to the most prominent of the ranges which have been examined. HUMBOLDT RANGE. Beginning on the north, we find it to be the most remarkable and well-defined range that belongs to this latitude, between the Sierras and the Wahsatch range. It has its northern limit at the Central Pacific Railroad, near Humboldt Wells, and passing nearly due south, breaks away a little below Hastings Pass, where it is traversed by tiie old overland road, into a succession of low, broken hills and ridges, pretty well covered with cedar and nut-pine, fit for fuel. The highest peaks 39 attain an elevation of about 12,500 feet, and on their northern slopes snow remains during the entire year. Little lakes, fed by snow-water, are found at great elevations in the natural basins near the summits of the highest peaks, and present a very picturesfjuc apiiearance. The western slope of these mountains, unlike many farther to the soutlnvard, is well furnished with living streams of pure water abounding with mountain-trout. Here and there the cafions have a showing of pine timber of considerable size, while the foothills at a variety of places are densely packed with wood for fuel purposes. EGAJ* AND SCHELI, CREEK RANGES. These are well defined in height and direction, exteiuling for long distances, passing either side of Steptoe Valley on the nortli, then Cave ^'alley, below which the names change; l)ut a suc- cession of ranges, nearly parallel to the route projected for a railroaruug up a small settlement called Lyonsville, after the present jiresident of the company. LAS VEGAS EANCn. This is situated on a little oasis in the desert of Vegas Valley, and consists of about three or four Imndred acres of arable land that can be irrigated from the Vegas Springs. An area of a radius of fifty miles, having this point as a center, embraces nothing but desert; consequently, this is a haven for all travelers, north and south, through this section of country. The old emigrant- road to Salt Lake, and the one lately traveled from White Pine to Arizona, here cross each other. EL DORADO CASON. By this, reference is made to the property of the mining company of this district, who have a ten-stamp mill on the river at the mouth of the canon, and the necessary dwellings and store-houses for their nulling operations. This section is a desert and sterile one. Small patches of buncb- grass are found in the mountains ; hay in large quantities has to be obtained at Cottonwood Islaiul, some forty-live miles below, and such barley as cannot be obtained at Vegas ranch must come via the river. Wood in small quantities can be obtained from the drift-wood along the river. All these difficulties have tended to retard the development of these mines, one of which, the Techatticup, having been opened, proves to be a regular fissure-vein. CALLVILLE. This was originally started as a little iSIormon landing, from whence stores, coming via the river, were to be shipped in among the settlements of Southern Utah. Quite a large store-liouse and several shanties that had been erected were all abandoned at the date of our arrival, making the place look, if possible, more desolate than nature had intended. There can be no possible reason in the future for reviving this place, since it cannot be a point of dei)arture or supply for any back country, neither can a crossing to the southward be made; therefore, whenever a stray traveler, by accident, shall reach these solitudes, his inquiry for inhab- itants will be answered by echoes from the deserted store-house and its surrounding shanties. MOEMON SETTLEMENTS, nOMEE. This is one of the later and more outer settlements, of only about two years' standing, cousist- ug of twenty to twenty-five families, and from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five per- sons, all told. This, being a small settlement, had for its ruler a functionary known as a superintendent, who acts as judge and mauaging-mau. The larger settlements have a bishop, while in addition, at county-seats, are found other bishops, higher in church authority, who are associate elders, and have a voice in the high council at Salt Lake City. The scheme seems to be to manage the minds of the many by having some one in their midst of sufficient intellect to control, while the others are rude, untaught, with but little prospective hope of improvement. I understand, however, that schools are introduced at the more prominent settlements. The dwellings at Homer all stand upon one wide street, closed at the ends, making a rectan- gular-shaped fort, so built for protection against the Indians. The amount of land is parceled out to the families in lots from 7^ to 25 acres, the latter amount being considered quite excessive. 46 The settlers here, having seen so little of the world, had not become contaminated by the ungovernable thirst to gain money from the Gentiles that is found among the many. A call was made upon the superintendent, a Mr. Shakespeare, a decent, provincial-looking man, who was nob unwilling to give information, but who seemed to have but little to give. They were nearly all alike at this place, having the appearance such as one might expect to meet among some of the lower classes in Holland, Norway, some parts of Germany, and Wales. At the time of our coming all the young men were at muster, which is held twice each year, and every available able-bodied man is obliged to attend. Besides the ordinary militia, there is said to exist a secret compact, known as the " ZSTauvoo Legion." EAGLE VALLEr. This is a beautiful little valley, closely encircled by the mountains, and settled nearly three years since. Here, again, the inhabitants build their rude log houses in " fort" shape. Our day's march carried us to Rose Valley, some three or four miles beyond, and only a short stay was made. This place, larger in size, attains to the dignity of having a bishop, who has in his trust the forty or fifty families constituting the settlement. They will number at least two hundred souls, and seem a quiet, inoffensive set, but looking, however, upon the soldiers with a jealous ej'e, and, with a true ilormon proclivity, where it could be done, taking advantage of the desire for the purchase of delicacies on the march in the way of butter, eggs, and vegetables, charging much more than their value. This custom we found in its most absolute perfection among some of the lower settlements, where Gentiles were more frequently in the habit of passing through. Doctors and lawyers are unknown in these remote settlements ; they themselves speak of this as true for all of them — scarcely anybody sick, but few die, and the laws of the church exist for them as the law of the land. In Eose and Dry Valleys some very poor, miserable families were found ranching ; it was their expectation that their membeYs would be increased from the interior. In the latter place a twenty- stamp mill, the property of the Meadow Valley Mining Company, and known as the Lyons mill, has been erected. Ore from the Pioche mines is being crushed there, with fine results. PANACCA. The settlement in Meadow Valley is considerably larger than the others mentioned, and was established in 1804 or 1865. They have laid off the town in streets, and some very fair wooden and adobe houses have been built. Among the best of them is a tithing-house, made for the recep- tion of one-tenth of all that is produced, and given as a tithing unto the Lord. In these outer places that have been settled for a number of years, many trees have been planted, which here had grown to a respectable size. Water running through the streets in open ditches, irrigates them so that they maintain a luxuriant growth. The water here is of the same nature as that found in Pahranagat Valley, the spring at the head of the town being of about the same size as Crystal Spring, in Pahranagat Valley. These waters are doubtless from the same source, and all find their way into the Colorado after joining forces along the bods of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. The town will number about four hundred people, some few of whom are Gentiles. CLOVEE VALLEY contains some eight or ten families and from fifty to seventy-five people. Its waters flow to the southwest and join Meadow Creek, that, farther on, seeks an underground channel to the Muddy. While following down a canon leading from this valley and coming in below Meadow Valley Caiion, there was considerable i)ioncering to do ; the animals were getting badly worn out, and the grain was exhausted and grass becoming very scarce. It was therefore necessary to push on ahead sev- enty-five miles to one of the lower settlements, to purchase grain and have it freighted to the train. 47 one of the settlements on the Upper Muddy, consisting of fiftyj or sixty families, and from two hundred and fifty to three hundred people. A part of these go north during the summers, which are intensely hot in this section. At the time of our coming, wheat could be purchased at 5 cents per pound; previous to our departure it was valued at l-'A cents, while all the time the relation between supply and demand was the same. One man at this place was the hai)py possessor of five wives, two of them being at a northern settlement, and twenty-two children of various descriptions and sizes; these were all being reared unwashed, unkempt, and untaught. SAINT JOSEl'U, situated midway between West Point and where the Muddy reaches the Virgin, is a much larger place, and numbers some five hundred or six hundred people, when all are at home from the northern country. This place has a post-oflice regularly established. A nephew of Brigham Young lives here, vested with some of the superior functions of church oflice. SAINT THOMAS, is situated at the confluence of the Muddy with the Virgin ; rather a fine-looking place, well laid out, with shade-trees along the streets. Its inhabitants number as high as three hundred or four hundred altogether, but of the same moving character as the two settlements above named. The bishoi) at this place, and another person, ex-member of the Arizona legislature, received us with i)leasant courtesy. Near this place an Indian chief named Toshob has his wick-eups. He is known to have been engaged with some of his Indians in the Mountain Meadow massacre, while the leader of the same was reported to be in a small place called Harmony, some seventy- five miles to the northeast, in a state bordering on insanity from remorse for his actions at tiiat time. No one can judge of the revolting character of that affair who has not been near the ground to learn of the details of the cold-blooded murder of men, women, and children. Thus it will appear that the late reconnaissance has developed the fact that there are seven Mormon settlements, numbering very nearly two thousand inhabitants, that heretofore have been supposed, certainly or uncertainly, to be in Utah, that lie beyond a doubt within the domain of Nevada. So far they have paid taxes in, and conformed to the laws of, Utah. Some action should now be taken clearly defining their status and place the jurisdiction of both the State and Territory upon proper ground. That part of Arizona to the north and west of the Colorado River that was ceded by act of Congress of 1866 to Nevada, has never been legally accepted by the State, since their coustitutiou prohibits the accession of territory in this direction, thereby rendering the action of the State officials invalid and liable to be jirotested in case of attempting to execute their statutes. The Jlormons are prospecting for further lands contiguous to their outer settlements, to be used as asylums for their constantly thickening population, and it is but a short time ago that a call was made for one thousand families to go into Northern Arizona. ODOMETER MEASUREMENTS. To show how far these may be depended upon in the field over the variety of roads encoun- tered in a mountain region, several rigid tests were made at a number of points, of which the fol- lowing is a description. The gait has always been kept at a walk. ELKO. 1. Wheels tico days traveled since greased ; over one measured mile on level road, slightly sandy. No. 1 odometer on near wheel. First reading.... 3,843 Second reading . . 4, 242 Difference = 400 = number of revolutions. Note.— Tho Mormon settlers h.ive been withdrawn from the valley of the Muddy, and the West Point, Saint Joseph, and Saint Thomas sottlemeuta abandoned. An Indian reservation including all of these localities has since been set aside by the Government. 48 2. Over one-lialf measured mile, on rolling ground, good road. No. 1 odometer on near wheel. First reading 4, 976 Second reading. . 5, 177 Difference = 201 = number of revolutions. Average, 401 revolutions. Near wheel, 13' 2".208 in circumference ; 400.48 revolutions per mile. Off wheel, 13' 2".0G3 in circumference ; 400.85 revolutions per mile. CAMP KUBT. Wheels one day's travel since greased, over one measured mile, on good, hard, level road. No. 1 odometer on near wheel. First reading 6,392 Second reading.. 6, 791 Difference = 399 = number of revolutions, No. 2 odometer on near wheel. First reading .... 6, 536 Second reading.. 7,931 No. 2 odometer on off wheel. First reading. .. 7,133 Second reading. 7,533 Difference = 400 = number of revolutions. No. 1 odometer on ofi wheel. First reading... 6,793 Second reading. 7,192 Differeuce=395 = number of revolutions. Average, 398.25. Wheels eased of friction from wooden axle ; freshly greased. 1. One measured mile through sage-brush. Difference = 399 = number of revolutions. No. 2 odometer on near wheel. First reading .... 8, 140 Second reading. . 8, 542 No. 1 odometer on off wheel. First reading... 7,362 Second reading. 7, 763 DiSereuce = 402=number of revolutions. Average, 401.5 revolutions, 2. One measured mile, good, hard, level road. Difference = 401 = number of revolutions. No. 2 odometer on near wheel. First reading 7, 766 Second reading. . 8, 166 Difference = 400=number of revolutions. No. 1 odometer on oft" wheel. First reading. . . 8, 546 Second reading. 8,947 Difference=401= number of revolutions. Average, 400.5 revolutions. CAMP TWELVE, NEAR HAMILTON. From Camp Twelve to stake on hill above Hamilton City. Measured distance, 199.87 chains. Wheels not greased for three days. Koad rough, uneven, some parts stony, others sandy ; steep grades. 1st. On up-hill grade : No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = 994 = 398.32 revolutions per mile. No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 996 = 399.12 revolutions per mile. 2d. From stake on hill down to camp : No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = 998 = 399.92 revolutions per mile. No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 996 = 399.12 revolutions per mile. The same as above, with freshly-greased wheels. 49 1st. Oil ui)liill grade: No. 1 odometer : Number of revolutions = DAT = o'.!'.*.."!- rexolutious per mile. No. 2 o'.t;i.li> rexolutious i)er mile. 2d. Uu down-bill grade : No. 1 oiloiueter : Number of revolutions = 9!).j = o'JS.TJ revolutions jx'r mile. No. 2 odometer : Number of revolutions = 1,000 = -100..'52 revolutions per mile. Average, 399.27 revolutions per mile. BETWEEN CAMPS FOUETEEN AND FIFTEEN. Between mile-posts, measured by cliaiii, on a hard, somewliat rolling and sliglitly sandy road, l)riucipally down grade. Ik'ovoliitiouH. No. 1 to No. 2 402 No. 2 to No. 3 402 Hevoliilioiiti. No. 4 to No. 5 403 No. 5 to No. 401 No. 3 to No. 4 402 No. 6 to No. 7 402 Average, 402 revolutions. In remarking upon the results from odometer measurements, two distinet statements must be made, 1st, that the vehiele should go always at a walk, sinee, by increasing the gait, certain irreg- ularities of revolution must iietressarily occur that will vitiate the measurement ; 2d, that the fric- tion on the axle must be thrown out as being an element not easy to determine, and one not uitluencing the result in any appreciable degree so long as the axles are kept iu anything like decent order. The experiments made near Uamilton show that the results are equable, both in the case of nsiiig the axles after a three days' march, or a little more than sixty miles, and when freshly greased, going to show that at least it has not been necessary to take into account the idea of fresh or newly greased wheels. It will be seen that iu the revolution of a wheel by a horizontal pull that the length passed over will exceed the circumference of the wheel on account of the slipping or sliding motion. It can well be understood that this slipping will be greater in case of raitid revolutions; another reason that these measurements should be made at a walk. The allowance to be made for a .slip, determined by experiments made on an Arizona trip in ISGS, varied from 1.2 to 2.1 per cent., while the rigid tests of this year decrease this even to the making the mean allowance nearly per cent. 1 refer this to the fact that in the first instance the aniinils were driven at a trot. Hence the actual number of revolutions to the mile should be less than the number obtained by using the perimeter as the basis; this is fouml in in-actice to be the case, and obtains in all our tests except one at both Elko and Ruby, and those between camps 14 and l.l. The former were undoubtetlly the result of errors of observation; the later arises from the fact that the tire having become worn, the perimeter was slnntened. Omitting, then, these three cases, we have the percentage to be allowed for the slii) as follows, viz : Experiments iu liuby Valley on hard rolling road 0.6 i)er cent. Kxperiments in I'uby Valley on level rolling road 0.4 per cent. Kxperiiiients near Hamilton on stvei>-grade road 0.34 3)0.98 Average 0.33 per cent. All other things bting e(inal, the sliii of the wheel will vary according to the nature of the road, increasing as the road bed becomes more luMvy. and in m-iv Ihmw s;ind special allowance has to be made. The slip of the wheel tor up-grade is found to be gre.itcr than lor downgrade. I'or the tirst part of the season 401 was the number of revolutions used per mile ; later it was found that 400 was a preferable number. So great was the accuracy of these measurements that, taken iu connection with the fact that a Gasella reconnaissance theodolite was used for the meander of the road traversed, it was unneces- 7 w 50 sary to reduce meauderliues by the ordinary process of dead-reckouiug, individual judgment for the percentage to be allowed being sufficient to reduce to the points astrouomically determined. The odometers were attached to a little two- wheeled vehicle constructed for the purpose, which was taken charge of by a soldier whose sole duty was to keep account of the distances measured. There are difficulties connected with the mechanical contrivances of the odometer. 1st. The leather covering, however carefully made, will not keep the dust from working into the interior of the instrument on account of the manner in which the frame holding the circles is introduced. 2d. The circles themselves work loose from each other for the want of two nuts, one with a right-handed screwand the other with a left-handed one, at the back of these plates, for fastening them together. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. INSTEU5IENTS USED. During the field-season cistern barometers, Nos. 1378, 1555, and 150C, made by James Green, Ifew York ; aneroids, Nos. 22 and 37, furnished by Charles G. Ewing, optician, San Francisco ; and hygrometers, Xos. 1G31 and 2318, by Green, were used. Thermo-barometers, Nos. 1 and 2, by Green, were carried to the field, but beyond comparing their indications with those of the cisterns at Elko, Camp Ruby, Hamilton, Ice Creek, and Cave Valley, no use was made of them for hypsometrical purposes. OBSERVATIONS IN THE FIELD. Hourly observations were taken at Camp Halleck from June IG to June 29, inclusive, and at Camp Ruby, Hamilton, and West Point, over intervals of from five to eight days, for the pur- pose of securing tables of horary corrections to be applied to observations for hypsometrical purposes. On the march tridaily observations were made at all camps of a day or more, and, at camps for one night only, at 7 a. m. and 9 p. m. The aneroids were used only in connection with the odometer for securing an approximate profile of the route between camps, the altitudes of which latter were deduced from cistern-barome- ter observations. These observations have all been reduced and computed, and the results appear on the map of the reconnaissance. COMPARISONS OF BAROMETERS, ETC. Before taking the field, the barometers and attached tliermometers were carefully compared with Green's standard cisiern-barometer, No. 1571, in Colonel Williamson's office in San Francisco, and their relative and absolute errors deduced. These comparisons extended over an interval of nine days from June 2 to June 11, 1809, and included cistern-barometers Nos. 1.566, 1378, 1555, and 1282, and aneroids 22 and 37. At intervals during the season frequent comparisons were made to check changes in the zero of the scales of the various iiistruiiients ; at Elko, Nev., from June 29 to July 3, lilteen com- parisons; at Camp Ruby, from July 9 to July 12, twelve comparisons; at Hamilton, from July 16 to July 21, seventeen comparisons; at Cave Valley, from August 9 to August 12, nine comparisons; at West Point, from September 23 to Seiitember 27, fourteen comparisons ; at Las Vegas, from October 1 to October 12, sixteen comparisons; at Indian Springs, from October 26 to October 30, thirteen comparisons ; and at the close of the lield-season the instruments were again compared with standard 1571 at San Francisco. These comparisons in the case of cistern-barometers gave very favorable results, showing but very slight changes in their relative errors from transportation, but the aneroids, being mechanical devices, snflered considerable shiftiugs of parts and consequent changes in their index errors, other than those due to tempera- ture or from want of compensation. Tlie extreme variation in errors throughout the season being from +".010 to ".771 for aneroid 22, and from — 0".031 to — 0".186 for aneroid 37, but since these changes aiq)ear from the comparisons to have been gradual, very good results were derived from the aneroid work. 0. Comparixons of mercuria cialeni -harmnf ler with standard Xo. 1 571, at San Francisco. Hour. UAROMETEB UNCORltECTED. BAROMETKR CORRECTED. ATTACHED THEUUOUETEB. Dat Stand- ard. 1566. 1378. 1060. 1282. Stand- ard. 1566. 1378. 1060. 1282. Stand- ard. 1566. 1378. 1060. 1982. June o 2p. m 30. 012 30. 036 30. 036 30. 072 30. 044 29. 925 99. 919 29. 918 29.953 99.927 o 72 o 71.9 o 72.5 o Ti o 72 June 3.. 9 a. m 30.04 30. 046 30. 052 30. 070 30.050 •J9. 9 42 29. 947 29.951 20.974 29.951 65 65.95 66 60.3 65.4 9 p. m 30. 084 .30. 090 30.082 30.014 30. 084 29.980 99.992 29.934 30.015 29.987 65 64.9 65.1 65.5 64.8 June 1.. 9 a. m 30. 062 30.08 30.083 30. 119 30. 079 99. 987 99.984 29. 987 30. 014 29.984 64 64.3 64.5 64.8 64 a p. m 30. 0C4 30. 0.18 30. 033 30. 084 30.06 29. 947 99.941 29.939 99. 964 29.943 79.2 73.1 79.8 73.3 79.1 June 5.. 9 a. m. 30.088 .30. 082 30.080 1 W. 114 30.090 20. 986 99.980 29.983 30.011 29.989 66.6 66.5 66.9 67 66.1 June 7.. 9 a. m 30.022 30.024 30.022 30.048 30.019 29.924 29.927 20. 923 99.948 29. 921 64.9 64.75 65.5 65.6 64.9 2 p. n: . 30. 002 29.994 99. 998 :<0. 024 29. 992 29. 885 29.977 29. 879 29. 904 29.874 79.1 72. 25 73.1 73.3 79.2 June 8.. 9 ». m 30. 027 30.023 30. 024 30.058 30. 02:t 29.919 29. 915 29.914 29. 948 29.915 68.6 68.5 69.25 69.5 68.6 •2p. lu 30. 029 30. 031 30. 028 1 30. 058 30. 024 29. 916 29. 918 29.919 29.941 29.910 70.6 70.75 71.6 71.5 70.9 June 9.. 9 a. ni. 30. 074 30. 073 30.071 j 30.096 30. 065 29. 978 29. 977 29. 974 29. 998 99.970 64.4 64.9 64.75 64.9 64.3 ' 2 p. ni 30. 07fl 30. 073 30. 009 j 30. 090 30. 069 2.0. 961 29.958 29.952 29.978 29.953 71.5 71.4 72.1 79.5 71.4 June 10.. 9 a. m 30. 084 30. 082 30.084 1 30.1)1 30.08 20.99 99.988 29.989 30.016 29.986 63.6 63.5 64 63.9 63.5 3 p.m. 30.082 30. 075 30.076 30.1 30. 076 99.974 29.967 29.966 29.989 20.968 68.7 68.7 69.5 69.9 68.7 Juno 11.. 9 a.m. 30.000 99.992 99.993 30.026 29.997 29.907 99.900 99.899 99.932 29.904 62.9 62.8 63.4 63. S 63 Date. Hiiur. June 2 2p.ni. June 3 9a.m. 2 p.m. 9 a- m- , 2p-m. June 5 9 a.m. June 7 9a.m. 3 p.m. Juuo 8 9 a.m. 2 p.m. June 9a.m. 2 p. m . June' 10 0a.m. ■ 2 p. m . Jimo II - ' 9a.m. Sum - Mean of 15 obaervationa I F.RUOR OF BAROMETER. Stand- ard. .000 1566. +.006 -.005 -.006 + .003 + .006 + .006 -.003 + .008 + .004 -.002 + .001 +.003 + .002 + .007 + .007 1378. +.007 -.000 + .002 + .000 +.008 + .003 +.001 + .006 +.005 + .004 +.004 + .009 +.001 +.008 + .008 +.057 + .004 1060. 1282. -.028 -.032 -.099 -.027 -.017 -.025 -.024 -.019 -.020 -.025 -.C20 -.017 -.026 -.025 -.025 -.368 -.002 -.009 -.001 +.003 +.004 -.003 +.003 +.011 + .004 +.006 + .008 +.008 +.004 +.006 + .003 + .045 -.0215 +.003 ERROR OF T1IEUM0MF.TER. Staud- ai-d. .000 1506. 6 +0.1 -0.25 +0.1 -0.2 +0.1 +0.1 +0.15 +0.15 -0.1 -0.15 +0.3 +0.1 +0.1 + 0.0 +0.1 +0.4 +0.027 1378. -0.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.6 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0 -0.65 -1.0 -0-35 -0.6 -0.4 -0.8 -0.5 1000. 12*2. 1.0 1.3 O.S 0.8 1.0 0.4 0.7 1.3 0.9 0.9 0.5 1.0 0.3 1.2 0.6 -13. J -0.8! -0.0 -0.4 +0.3 +0.0 +0.1 +0.5 +0.0 -0.4 -0.0 -0.3 + 0.2 +0.1 +0.1 +0.0 -0.1 0.0 ~0.^ Comparison of Ihermo-barometcrs tiilh mercurial-cistern barometer on reconnaissance through Southern .\erada in 1869. CAMP HALLECK, NEV. Date. Hour. 1860. June 16 3 p. m. .Juno 17 ' 2 p. m. .Tune 18 1 2 p. m ilune 19 2 p. m. tlune 20 2 p.m. June 21 [ 2 p. m. June 22 ^ 2 p.m. June 23 ' 2 p.m. 70.6 68.8 6a5 65.5 68.6 74.1 73.0 70.4 24.276 94.290 34.389 94.525 94.541 34.530 34.500 34.461 C 8 24.187 24.214 24.315 24.447 24.456 24.433 24.406 24.373 No.l. 202.3 202.41 302.19 202.42 902.44 902.4 202.38 902.3 No. 1. Inches. 24. 393 24. 649 25.537 24.654 24.664 24,644 24.634 24.593 No. 2. 2(0.5 200.54 200.8 201.3 201.0 200.94 900.94 200.94 No. 2. Inches. 23. 607 2:). 717 23.845 24. 002 23. 043 23.014 23. 014 23.014 No. I. Si P o •= « a No. 2. + 406 + 435 + 992 + 207 + 208 + 211 + 228 + 221 400 497 470 355 513 510 402 458 Remark !4. No. iTrCiC, the cistern- baro uet'rusedb.is been reduced not only to 32' but al.so to Xo. 1.S7I in ollien of Colonel 'Williamson. *Mcan of six months' barometric readings fcives 5,789 feet. 52 Comxiar'ixon of aneroids Xos. 22 ati(l 37 with standard nicrcnrial citilern-Iiaromeler at office of Bel. Col. J!. S. WiUiam>/on, Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, California. a n 5 W < Standard No. 1571 uncor- rected. Reduced to 32°. Is Aneroid readings. Aneroid differenoe.s. No. 22. No. 37. No. 22. No. 37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1S69. Deo. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 t)ec. 9 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 16 2 p. m . . . 9 a. ra... 9 a. m... 2 p.m... 9 a. m . . . 2 p.m... 9a. m-.. 2p.m... 9 a. m... 2 p.m... 9 a. m... 2 p.m... 9 a. m... 9 a. m . . . 9a. ra... 2p.m... 64.4 .57.6 58.2 6.5.1 56.9 63.5 54.5 60.8 55.0 59.7 54.6 61.1 56.7 58.0 59.0 65.2 58.5 30. 072 30. 071 30. 009 29. 977 30.271 30. 276 30. 291 30. 247 30. 308 30. 286 30. 308 30. 235 30. 261 30.228 30. 145 30. 113 30. 190 .096 .078 .080 .098 .076 .094 ■.070 .087 .071 .084 .070 .087 .076 .079 .082 .098 .080 29. 976 29. 993 29. 929 29. 879 30. 195 30. 182 30. 221 30. 160 30.237 30. 202 30.238 30. 148 30. 185 30. 149 30. 063 30. 015 30. no 29. 219 29. 220 29. 221 29. 221 29. 220 30. 166 30. 189 30. 063 .30. 061 30. 379 30. 371 30. 400 30. 341 30. 422 .30. 384 30. 424 30. 340 30. 371 30. 339 30.260 30.217 30. 300 +.7,57 +.773 +.708 +.658 +.975 -.190 -.196 -.134 -.192 -.184 -.189 -. 179 -.181 -.185 -. 182 -.186 -.192 -.186 -.190 -.197 -. 202 -.190 17 Dee, 17 1 !( +3. 871 + .774 -3.155 -0. 1856 Mea Q8 jMINERALS. Siuce tlie different ioinis in which the element.s of landed surface are aggregated determine whether we shall have a region agricultural, mineral, or arid, as may be expected, the greatest diversity occurs, and experience teaches that agricultural and mineral sections are seldom found in immediate juxtaposition. Southern Nevada undoubtedly possesses all the rights and privileges of a mineral region, and beyond that, as a place for the aggregation of population, it must always have small weight in com- parison to other land-areas of equal size. I do not hesitate to say that the section embraced be- tween the 114:th and llGth degrees of longitude, limited latitudinally by 30° 30' on the .sonth, and 39° 30' on the north, bids fair to develop and supply more of the precious metals than any similar-sized area covered by our survey. The minerals found are gold, silver, copper, lead, antimony, iron, salt, gypsum, ahini, and cobalt; of them all, silver is the most common, and is the princii)al of the precious metals in all the different mining camps, while, so far as the knowledge is at my disposal, gold is only noticed at the Sacramento, Egan, and Groom Districts, and, e-xcept at Egan, only in small quantities. Silver-ore appears in all its known forms, the more common being the chloride and sulphide- Sulphide is becoming common and rapidly growing into signiticance as one of the richer classes of ore, and many a black-looking rock, that would have been thrown away by the early prospector, •s now found to assay as high as $3,()()0 or 84,000 per ton. Copper is found native and in the ore n the Potosi and Clarke Districts, and at various points along and near the Colorado l\iver; lead, as sulphurets, always more or less argentiferous, in some places appears in immense deposits and veins; the.se can all ultimately be worked, and to a good ])iofit ; the ba.se bullion averaging from $3.1 to 8-t'O per ton. Antimony occurs al-so with the galena, sometimes to so great an extent as to render the free- ing of the silver-ore a difficult problem. Gyj)sum is found in beds at two places noticed by our parties; one not far from the old emi- grant-road, and about midway between Las Vegas ranch and the crossing of the Muddy; and at another along Las Vegas Wash. The quality is apparently inferior. 53 A wide vein or iron ore was discovered crossing tbe Colorado in tiie midst of Virgin or iJonlder Canon. Small beds of alum oeenr in some of the side cafions leadin;r down to tlie Colorado in tlie vicinity of Virgin Canon. Salt ocenrs in deposits as ore in beds and wells. The most remarkable of the deposits is fonnd along the Virgin, some five or six miles below Saint Thomas, in a very pnre form, sliowing re- markable cnbiiuil crystallizations. There are two very extensive deposits near the bed of the Uio Virgen, lying between its month and the entrance of the ^Inddy. Near the former point is a large and deep salt well, having its npper surface at a distance of about 00 feet below the mesa bank. A large bed of salt is fonnd in Itailroad Valley; this, however, is qnite impure, and only of .service in tlie reduction of ores by the roasting i)rocess. Other licds oc<'ni- to the north and cast of the route from Cave \'alley to I'reuss Lake. But to tbe silver that is to come from these rough ami rugged hillsmust we look tor the tutnrc l)rosperity of Southern Xevada, and the hciit'lit. both local and natioMal, that is to be derived there- Irom. So long as it is known that there is still hope of fmdinga fresh silver deposit, so longwill eager and industrious men seek lor it and dig it out, and it now seems ijrohalile that for long years to come the annual silver yield of Nevada will be on the increase. The most valuable districts in the area above mentioned that have already been discovered are Ely, Jlorey, Tim|)ahute, ami I'ahranagat. The first lU'omises the largest results; the second has over six thousand tons of ore in sight, of a V(>ry rich finality ; the third has been \ery little devel- oped, but has fine surface indications ; the fourth ami last has been developed considerably, and shows large veins of low-grade ore. The jirospects of the next four years, if they continue favorable, ought to induce capitalists to build a railroad line through this country, which will have a tendency to open up mines of the low- grade ores, that at the present tinu^ cannot be worked jirofitably. rivp:rs, creeks, and sprincjs. Of rivers, within tbe area embraced, there are but four, viz, Colorado, Humboldt, Virgin, and ]\Iuddy. The latter, except in a section bordering upon or in the Great Anu'rican or some other desert, would never, even in name, approach the dignity of a river, and in the linal maps will be changed to " creek." Of creeks, there is an abundance in some localities, in others a remarkable .scarcity ; varying greatly in their nature and extent, at sonu^ jdaces contined to the mountains, losing themselves before reaching the extremity of the foot-hills; at others stretching farther out only to become entirely ab.sorbed after reaching tbe dry plains. It is a notition. Tbe Iluuiboldt, better known, needs none. The Muddy so limited in extent, needs only a few words for its source, volume, antl course. The present recogiiized source oc<-urs in a nnndier of springs of tepid water, near the .southern end of the canon called "Arrow Canon," leading out from Pabranagat Valley ; doubtless the.se a<;ain have their source in I'ahranagat liake, which is fed from the ditferent thermal spiings that start in the valley of that name, which in turn may be fed from the 00 inches. What are called " seej) springs" wiv. now and then found, generally through the aid of Iiulians, at l)oints where one would ne\er dream of their presence, especially when discovered, as they often are, among basaltic foot-hills, completely desiccated and destitute of vegetation. These, however, aftbrd so slight an amount of water that they cannot be depeiuU'd upon for any exigencies of the march where iiuiny animals are in the party, and are simi)ly reservoirs for the natural moisture that is fouiul along the seams of the rocks composing the mou7itains. Many sjtrings appearing at the base of the foot-hills are occasioned by the melting of the snows on the mountains above, that, flowing a little distance, disappear, to show themselves again where the surface of the underlying rock approaches more nearly that of the soil. 55 The waters arisiiiy IVoin the sourees so far described, mostly sink in the valleys before reaeU- ing any recognized outlet to carry them to the sea. In the basin draining towaid the Colorado, the downfall of its immense watershed reaches tliis river largely niiderneath the soil, excei)t where, finding a home in natural depressions, it remaius, giving rise to subterranean basins of water that exist in nearly all the mountain valleys. At what dci)th these sliall be reached, and at what points they are most accessible, are (jues- tious tliat require great practical local study. Admitting the praetieabilily of reaching these reservoirs, there can be seen in the fntuic some relief to these many desert places from the sinking of artesian wells, so soon as the development of wealth (followed by population) and industry admit of tlieir intiodiiction. • (lOLORAuo i;iv]:i;. This stream, magniliccnt so far as length and extent of country drained can make it so, was the southern limit of the area embraced by the reconnaissance. At the immediate point at which it was reached by our parties, some four hundred or ti\e hun- dred yards below the mouth of the l\io Virgen, the current is exceedingly rapid, and the width of the river not more than one hundred yards. The water is of a yellowish muddy color, hci<;litened at this vicinity on account of the waters received from the IJio Virgen ; the banksare somewliat steep, the river having encroached coucavely into a gravelly mesa, the walls of which are from filteeu to twenty feet in height. At this point everything is a scene of wild desolation ; rocky and rugged mountains of various colors stand out on either side in the most strange anil fantastic contour. A few miles abo\e this jxiint the river emerges from a slight canon, carved nut as it were from the Virgen range that trom this i)oiut follows on to the southward, soon breaking- away into low foothills, and then entirely disappearing. The Muddy Mountains that, turning to the southwest, cross the Colorado about live or six miles below the Kio Virgen, inclose the western and northwestern horizon. A continuation of low foothills entirely limit the southern view, with no far distant peaks, betokening rugged or impass- able ranges. Wo tried to obtain the services of the two Moi'mon lishermen, who inhabited a little hut near by, w hose time was divided between catching poor tish and watching a pile of ore from the Salt Klines, distant eight or ten miles above, on the Virgin JJiver, to row one or two of us as far as Callville; but their companion not being with them, they did not dare to leave their rendezvous, as both would be needed in order to bring the boat back. This was the occasion of considerable disappointment, as I had hoped to be able to give a i)crsonal inspection to the chances for navigation thnuigh Virgin or Boidder (Jafion. ]\Ir. Gibbons, while I'li route to join the Arizona ass(!inb)y, traxcled by the river from the mouth of the Virgin to La I'az, passing through the above canon, as well as the IJlack Canon, in a small boat, and he assured me that by far the most formidable hinderauces to navigation were to be found in the latter, lie had nw dout»t that a sti'aiuer drawing not more than twenty four inches, with a powerful engine, could sui-cessl'ully pass both places, when the river is not swollen by the fresiiets occasioned by the melting snows. This cause would impede, if not altogether suspend, navigation during the months of April, ]\[ay, and part of June. The irregidarities of the cnricnt anending upon game for bis food would probably starve; even the Indians, the most expert and incessant of all hunters, are obliged to gather pine-nuts, to supply in a great measure the necessity for food. MOUNTAIX-ROADS. These above latitude 37° are better than the average of Nevada roads, as by skirting the foot- hills and keeping out of the low groun^peak of have as yet been grown at this settlement. On the morning of the IGth September we left camp at West Point and proceeded down the valley, the road running near the river until reaching a point about four miles below, where the road from Salt Lake to Los Angeles crosses the Muddy. Here the river runs through several narrow, precipitous canons, and the road passes around through the hills. The sand was so deep and heavy that the wagon had to be jiartly unloaded, and even then, after ]iroceeding alxmt half a mile, the mules gave out completely, and 1 was reluctantly com[)elk'd to turn back and encamp near the river, at which place we were wiien. in tlie afternoon ujuju your arrival, you assumed command. KKCAPITULATION. ROADS. The road from the Cave to the Muddy Jiivcris quite practicable for wagons not heavily loaded, and the journey can be made readily enough in seven or eight days provided the animals can have grain. At most of the places grass can be found, although in some instances, as at Simmond's Spring, it is sonu> distance from where the camp woubl usually be made. The hardest marches are from the slough of the Sierra Creek to Simmond's Si)ring, and from Coyote Sjuing to the Muddy. The pass to the north of Uyko is very diflicult in places, but by partly unloading and making an extra trip, the march may be accomplished. The heavy sand below Uyko Lake will always render this portion of the route very severe, as the steady, coustant strain uiioii the teams soon tells upon them. WATEB. At Butterfield Springs, along Sierra Greek, throughout Uyko N'alley, and at the Pockets, (generally,) there is plenty of water. At Simmond's and Coyote Springs there is usually suflicient for only eight or, at most, ten animals, and in case of much travel not enough for that number, as the water only collects slowly. There is more or less alkali at all the places mentioned, and it has a very bad etfect upon animals not accustomed to drinking water im)>regnated with it. GRASS. The ordinary bunch variety is found generally throughout the whole route, growing in nearly all cases upon the foothills, iu some instances at a considerable distance from the camps. The whole cour.se of Sierra Creek afl'ords plenty of grass, but it is of an alkaline character, and, to animals unaccustomed to it, furnishes very little sustenance. At Simmond's Siuings none was found, although 1 was told there was bunch grass within a mile or two. Throughout Uyko Valley there is an abundance, but alkaline and quite poor. At Coyote Springs there is very little, and at the Pockets none whatever. The grass throughout the valley of tin- :\Iuddy is similar to that in Uyko Valley. 1) AV 66 AVOOD. TLe pass tbrougli tbe Egau range sllo^ys a considerable growtb of uut-pine and scrub-cedar ; tbe same is true of tbe pass to tbe nortb of Hyko, and generally of tbe mountains along tbe wbole route, altliougb tbe amount is less as progress is made toward tbe soutb. Pine timber, suitable for sawing, is found upon tbe bigb peak near tbe mill, in the Egau Pass, and to tbe west of Hyko, a sb'ort distance from tbe mines. Tbe Mormons obtain tbeir timber, to a certain extent, from a place about forty or fifty miles from tbe Pockets ; tbe road leading tliereto brancbes off to tbe west at a poiut a little to tbe nortb of tbat place. CULTIVATAHLE LAND. But very little land fit for cultivation was found before reacbing Hyko, altbougb, possibly, one or two bundred acres near Butterficld Spring migbt be so classified. Tbrougbout nearly tbe wbole extent of Ilyko Valley, for about twenty-five miles below Hyko, tbe land can be farmed profitably, and as tbe valley is from a balf to one and a balf miles in widtb, tbere is a very fair cliauce for successful rancbing. Tbe valley of tbe ]\Iuddy can be cidtivated in several places, altbougb tbe upper portion is very alkaline. At present only a portion of it, in tbe vicinity of West Point, is tilled. Astronomical observations were taken from time to time, wbea possible, for latitude and longitude. Barometrical observations were taken tbrougbout tbe trip. Sbould it ever be deemed necessary to establisb a military post in tbis part of tbe country, the most eligible location would, in my opinion, be in Hyko Valley, as it possesses all tbe requisites for tbe establishment and maintenance of a post. Kespectfully submitted. D. W. LOCK'^'OOD, Lieutenant of Engineers. . Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, United States Engineer Officer, department of California, San Francisco, Cal. Headquartees Departivlent of California, Sa7i Francisco, California, January 25, 1870. Sir : I have tbe honor to make tbe following report of a trip from Las Vegas Eancb to Po.tosi, in tbe Yellow Pine District, undertaken in compliance with verbal instructions received from you a few days previous. On the morning of tbe 12tb October, 1SG9, I left camp at Las Vegas, taking one ambulance and three men, and ]\Ir. Ilamel, topographer. The road taken was the old Salt Lake road, running in a southwesterly direction until reaching a point about five miles from Potosi, when tbe trail leading to the latter place branches off to the soutb. The first night's camp was made at the Cot- tonwoods, a spring at the head of Las Vegas Wash. These springs rise and sink at several places, and receive their name from the cottonwoods growing near. The next day's march took us to Potosi. roTOSi. This camp was established some years previous to the date of our arrival, and traces of former habitations were visible all around ; (be original settlement was said to have been broken uj) by tbe Lidians. A smelting-furnace bad formerly been erected, but failed, in consequence of the operators not understanding tbe proper method of separating the i)recious metal (silver) from the complication of base-metals which exist in the ore taken from the priiu.-ipal mine worked, namely, the Old Potosi. G7 Ouly one small spring is found here, iusiitticieut for supply of a mill. Tiie present locators of claims in this district were at work on tbe Potosi mine, wliicli was visited and found to be a regu- lar, welldcliiied li'(l;;o, situated lii^li upon the western slope of the mountains. The ledge crops out from an almost perpeiidieiilar clilV, and shows a width of ten or twelve feet, and has been Stripped for about live hundred feet. The ore, which consists of galena, antimony, arsenic, and silver, occurs in large, irregular masses, in some cases beautifully crystalliz.ed, and assays, by actual working, about six hundred dollars in silver to the ton. Some oC the oie had, I believe, been .sent to the lead-works in San ri'auciseo, and there reduced. Other claims had been located in the district, but none of them had been opened sutliciently to enable one to define their character, .so far as formntion was concerned. The few miners engaged here were taking out the galena ore in quantities sullicient to snpi>ly a furnace all the time, and, although their receii>ts in money amounted to practically nothing, they seemed confident of suc- cess, which, under the most favorable circumstances that may occur, must be regarded as a ques- tion admitting of a great deal of doubt. Supplies have to be hauled a long di.stance, over the worst kind of roads, and the want of water necessary for carrying on operations on an extensive scale will always be a great drawback here. Wood in great abundance is found on the mountain slopes in the vicinity, principally nut-pine. Bunch grass grows near at hand. The next morning we started back for Las Vegas, taking tbe same road as before, arriving at the Cottonwoods in the afternoon, and receiving information that two .soldiers had deserted from Las Vegas. I went on that night, and reached camp about midnight, when I di.seovered that Pri- vates Murran and Leach had deserted on the morning of the 14tb, and taken with them five aui- maLs, the best ones left at that time. Pursuit was ordered, but the worn-out condition of the horses and mules would not allow of our overtaking them. llespectfuUy submitted. D. \V. LOCKWOOD, Lieutenant of Enginccin. Lieut. George ^1. Wheelek, United States Emjinccrs, Head'piarters Department of Cali/ornin, San Franciseo, California. SiK: 1 have tbe honor to submit the following report of a trip from Quiuu Canon to Monte Christo Mill, via Keveille, Hot Creek, and Morey Mining District, made by me in compliance with verbal instructions received from you Xovember 12, ISGO. As directed, I left camp at Quinn Canon in the afternoon of the above-mentioned day, and en- camped that night at Ited Blutf Springs, the northeastern corner of Lincoln County, Nev. The ne.xt morning the odometer-cart, driven by Private John Smith, was sent on to Twin Springs by the regular road, while :Mr. Pialiskoptf and myself started for PLCveille, taking tbe trail leading across the valley. But one wagon bad ever been over it, and that was to take a load of ore to Hyko to be reduced ; the track was found to be very sandy. REVEILLE, situated on tbe Keveille range of mountains, was reached (piite late in tbe afternoon, .so that it was found impracticable to visit the mines; such information as I was able to obtain with regard to the district was due to the kindness of tbe recorder of the district. There had been at the time about lour hundred and sixty locations made, principally contained in a sjjace about six miles in length and two in width. The principal locations are near each other, and are all, so far as had tlien been determined, deposits. No indication of a lissure-vein or regular ledges had been discovered, and generally, the same showing existed here as at White Pine, some of the specimens being almost exactly similar to those shown at the latter place, containing born-silver in very con.siderable quantities. Tbe principal claims are tbe Park, a.ssaying from ■i'SOO to .■?I,tOO per ton; Desert fi8 Queeu, $500 per ton ; Sweepstakes, Moutrose, Queen of the West, and some others, ranging in value from $100 to 8300 per ton. The results given were those obtained by actual milling, the ore being carefully selected, as it had to be hauled a considerable distance to the mill. The mines are quite high up on the mountains. The country rock is dolomitic in its character, without stralilication. Tiie decomposition of the feldspar in the porphyritic mountains which surround the dolomitic range in which the mines arc located, has caused the formation in several places of beds of alum, some of considerable extent, particularly the one a little north of the camp. Water is obtained in sufficient quantity for the use of the camp by digging wells near at hand in the porphyry ; a few miles away plenty can be obtained. Wood and grass are found a short ^listance away. A mill was in process of construction on the opposite side of the valley, to the west. On the morning of the 13th we left for Hot Creek, about forty miles away, passing by Twin Springs, where the odometer cart was. To this point there is only a trail, and a very difficult one ; the main road was hero taken and followed on to ITot Creek, which place was reached about S p. m. The valley lying between Reveille and Hot Creek Mountains is a large alkali fiat in places, and has a steady fall to the south and east irom Hot Creek, and opens into the valley lying east of the Reveille range through a bi-eak in the mountains a little east of Twin Springs. HOT CKEEK. Very little of anything was being doue at this district beyond rebuilding a teustamp mill, which had been partially burned down. The company known as the Hot Creek or Old Dominion, which formerly owned the mill, failed some time ago, the ore from the miues worked, namely, the Norfolk, Old Dominion, and some others, not paying as soon as any depth was reached. At the time, considerable excitement, purely local, however, existed with regard to some mines recently discovered in Rattlesnake Canon, about five or six miles to the south ; the principal miues located being the Wyoming, Philadelphia, and Pure Metal; some of the ore showing a great amount of copper. The specimens shown were not of a character to cause much enthusiasm. One great peculiarity of this region is the Hot Spring, from which the town takes its name, situated near the eastern opening of the steep caQon, which runs through the mountains at this point. These springs flow continuously, the water containing suli)hur ami iron. In some cases, springs of cold water are found in close proximity to the hot ones, which appear to break out from between the limestone and porphyry. MOREY DISTRICT. The next day Morey District was reached, situated quite high up in the mountains, about fifteen miles to the north of Hot Creek. The weather was very severe here, particularly at night ; water freezing, the animals suffered greatly in consequence. The mines were visited and carefully examined the next day, and were found to be true tissure- veins, with nearly a uniform dij) and strike, the former being i5° to 50° to the east, the latter 53° west. Considerable more had been done here; shafts had been sunk to different depths, running down generally on the inclines, the character of the ore remaining nearly unchanged, the amount in sulphuret, however, increasing. The ore is of a soft, friable nature in most cases, composed of bromides, chlorides, and sulphurets, the chlorides being found principally in pockets. The base metals arc iron pyrites, and some antimony. The Magnolia and Eagle are the two principal miues, and in these the soft, friable nature of the ore is particularly noticeable ; in those cases where much pyrites is found the ore is harder and more compact. The mines arc situated in a small hill at the foot of a high peak, and the veins can, in places, be traced by croppings for several hundred feet along the surface. Assays have been made ranging from 8300 to 81,100 per ton, although tiie milling value of the ore does not, as a nmtter of course, run so high. Water is obtained near at hand from springs, ami I think that by constructing a dam across the narrow canon, snfiBcieut could be obtained to supply a mill during most of the year. 09 Wood and grass are louiid near the camp. Chinese miners are employed here, and are found to get along very well ; their expenses of living being much less than those of white miners, the wages are consequently smaller. On the morning of the ITtli we left for iSIonte Christo Mill, taking a trail across the mountains to the ro..d running frcm Hot Creek to White Pine, and encamped at night at Sand Springs. Next day went on to Yokum's, passing Duck Water, a settlement of eonsiderahle size; the creek of the same name has its origin in a large spring north of the road, and spreads out over a large tract of land, where hay in great (piantities is cut each year, most of it finding a ready market at White Pine. From Duc'c Water on, the road, after breaking through a low range of mountains, turns north into the valley which you passed through on your way from Quinn Canon. Respectfully suhmitteJ. D. W. LocKWOoi), First Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, First Lieutenant Corps of Engineers, ncadqiiarters Department of California, San Francisco, California, TABLE OF DISTANCtlS. '1'aui.i; No. 1. — Dinhinccs j'lom 'I'oaiio, on Central Pacific Hailroad, to Vreicott, Ari:., via Eijan Cai'ioii, MnrrnijH Crctk, antl Mouth of Virgin liiver. Camps and stations. Toano Esan Canon, (estimated) Murray's Crcok, (estimated) lee Creek The Cave Jlutterlield Springs Sink of Sierra Creek Sininiond's Spring Hvko Camp near Pabrauagat Lake Coyoto Springs Water Canon West Point Saint Thomas ^loutli of Virgin Yuma Creek, (estimated) Peacock .Springs, (estimated) ... Fort Rock S)iriugs, (estimated) , Camp TollGato Prescott HileH. 80.00 40.00 IP. Iff 98.60 20.92 Ifi.07 31.67 VJ. 1-2 26.77 90.47 19.09 16. .17 26.10 25.25 33.00 34.00 2.1.00 35.33 42.93 Miles. 120.00 136. 16 164. 96 1S5. 88 90-1 53 934.92 2.13. 34 280.11 300.58 320.27 336.84 362. 94 3j<8. 19 423. 19 4.17. 19 480. 19 515. .12 S5&45 Ilemarks. Station on Central Pacitle Kailroad. Mining camp on overland rond. Fine camp; plenty water, wood, and grass. Goooor place. Not known. Grazing good : water excellent ; line camp. Grazing and water good; wood sc.ircc. Cavalry camp; tine accommodation. Mining town of considerable size. Note. — In case further developments prove that the distances marked " estimated " iu the above table are on feasible routes, t\w. above line of communication will be the practicable one of the future for through travel from Central Pacific liailroad to Northern Arizona. All distances, except those markeil " estimated,"' were measuretl during the trip. 70 Taisle No. 2. — Dititanccs from Elko, on Central Facijic Itailroad, to I'rcscott, Jri:., via White Vine, lUiilroad I'aUtij, (jiilnn Cunou, Indian S2)rin(/, Las Vegas, and HardyviUc. Camps and stations. Miles. Miles. Keniarks. Klko Cresceut Station "Willow Creek Camp V CanipYI t)verlan(l-roa'l station Warm Springs UigTeut Monte Christo ilill Vokiim's Station Currant Creek Butterfield Eanch Bi^ Creek Qiiinn Caiion Penoyer Spring Shafer Springs Crescent Mill Summit Spring Quartz Spring Indian Spring Corn Creek Tiile Springs Las Vegas EI Dorado Canon Hardj-ville, (estimated) . . Alexander's Camp First Water, Union Pass. Union Spring Coyote Spring Beale Spring Hualapaia Spring Natural Tanks Cottonwood Camp "Willow-Crove Fort Bock-Spring Anvil Bock Oaks and "Willows Camp ToU-Gate Deserted Bancli Lee's Boncb Prescott 7.83 10.09 23.92 17. IC 41.08 le. 10 57.18 4.74 01.92 13.15 75.07 21.10 96.17 26.10 123.27 17. 02 139. 89 19.27 159. 16 16.41 175.59 25.30 200. 89 19.83 220. 72 24.39 245. 11 9.06 254.17 7.15 261. .32 27.15 288. 47 21.32 309. 79 27.74 337. 53 20.87 358.40 11.46 369. 80 12.20 382.06 44.83 420. 89 55.00 481. 89 1.71 483. 60 1?.09 495. 69 1.46 497. 15 15. 91 513. 06 1.92 514. 98 14.38 529. 36 12.82 542. 18 8.31 550. 49 3.99 554. 48 10.21 564. 69 16.20 680. 89 8.06 588. 95 11.05 600. 00 16.30 616. 30 13.82 630. 12 11.35 041. 47 Station on Central Pacific Bailroad. Ranch; wood, grass, and water; good accommodation. Do. Do. "Wood, grass, and water. Telegrapb-station ; good accommodation. Banch ; no wood ; good accommodation. Stage-station ; no extra water ; poor accommodation. Quartz-mill ; grazing and water. Bull Creek ; no grass or wood. No station ; no grazing or wood. Hay-ranch ; no wood ; fair accommodation. Water one and one-half miles to east of road ; no wood. Toll-gate ; ranch, and good accommodation. Small station ; little grazing, good water, no wood. Water two miles from road ; good grazing, no wood. Quartz-mill; water scarce, grass scarce, wood plenty. Muddy water— enough for tifteen or twenty animals ; little bunch-grass ; no wood. No wood or grass ; water for sis or eight animals. "Water pure, but warm ; little wood, scant grazing. Salt-grass, fair water, no wood. Good water, no wood, no grazing. Banch ; good accommodation ; salt-grass ; forage can be bought ; no wood. Xo grass, no wood ; poor place. Small town on Colorado ; grazing and wood scarce. "Water, little wood, no grass. Water, grass, no wood ; foir camp. "Water ; no wood or grass. "Water, wood, and grass. Fine water ; too limited for camping. One-half mile to right ; water bad ; good grass. "Water in rainy season ; very little wood ; poor camp. Cottonwood Creek ; good camping-ground. Military post changed to the Toll-gate. Boad generally good ; deserted ranch ; water and grass ; no wood. AVater and grass ; no wood ; road good. Water, wood, and grass ; road good. Boad rough ; fine accommodation ; cavalry post. Water and wood ; no grass; road good. Eanch ; good accommodation. Mining-town of considerable size. Note.— This route has beeu traveled to some extent in the fall and winter of 1SG9 and 1870, principally by small parties of prospectors, going from the vicinities ot Ellco and White Pine into Northern Arizona. It presents many difiBcuIties, such as tedious and long marches, .scarcity of grass, -water, and wood, and would not be used if there was a point higher up than Hardyville, at which a crossing of the Colorado connecting with a road leading through to Prescott could be made. Such a point cannot be found before reaching the mouth of the Virgin. Taiilk Xo. 3. — Distances from IClkOj on Central Vacific Hailroad, to mOHth of J'i*v/iM, via JVhite Pine and I'ahranagal I'allcy. Camps and stations. KIko Cresceut Station Willow Creek Ciiinp V Camp VI Overland-road station Warm Springs liiRTent Monto Cliristo Mill Yokum's Station Currant Creek Silver Canon, (estimated) Hyko Camp near ralimuagat Lake. Coyote Springs Water Canon West Point Saint Thomas Mouth of Virgin Miles. Miles. 7.83 16.05 2.1.92 17.10 41.08 16.10 :ii. 18 4.H 01.92 13.15 7.-.. 07 21.10 '.10. 17 20.10 12i 27 17.62 i:». 89 19.27 I.-.9. 16 .M. 00 214.16 !l. 50 233.66 26.77 250.43 20. ■17 270. 90 19.69 290. 59 16. .'57 307. 16 26.10 333.26 25.25 358.51 Ileniarks. Station on Central Pariflc TCatlniad. I^nch ; wood, grass, and water; gootl accomniodatiuu. Do. Do. Wood, praK8, and wfttt-r. Telegraph Btation ; good accouimodation. Rjinch ; no wood; good accommodation. Stage station ; no extra water; poor acconimmlalion. Quartz mill ; grazing and water. Bull Creek ; no grass or wood. No station ; no grazing : no wood. Alining camp ; wood plenty ; water scarce. Mining town in I*ahranagat Valley. Good camp ; water and grass jilenty. Water bad and in small quantity ; little grass; no wood. Water ha*l ; little grass; no woml. Mormon settlement; good camp. Do. Scant grazing ; wood scarce. Note. — This is a route lately opened by fixing the grades of a pass near the Grant District, thron;;h which the road, bearin*;' to the southeast, comes into Garden Valh'v, thence via Silver Canon to Uvko. 72 LIST OF CAMPS, &c. Geonruphical jMsilioiis from sexlaiit oliscn-atioiis in the fidd fur latUutle and time ; loiigitiidc hij idegraphxc signals : chronometer differences, n, I'NDKU THE OHDKIIS (il Brig. Gen. K. O. C. OKI). avT. UAJ. (;eN. u. ». aumv, COMMAKI>ING DKrARTUEXT Of CAI.IFOKMA. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1875. ^/i^j^^^y^ : \ V . -^ ■ --.■-■=' »' V ^ ''^ y ; ^^^i^^ iS-i\'^''^Ji:':A'/ -^.v:>-t:/Vc'i !V:/s^i;*^i> .^w'^VMWV .S:#il'S'Il^i',''lVV '-I V'§,=*'.w^, vWWVvV^' v'^wwuu^. 'VW-UV ^^^^^*^^^^»P8Bi^SSDu;/^^W^ ^.:^V9,^\^\,i^im vw^ wvy 'VW^W^ : ^^ r,''*5®S5$v^g>a^^:^:^^ ^f.. -^ O '^, ^-^^ O 0' ^s^ .::^^''^ O 0' ^0O, >- .^^' '^^ V* ^/- i* N '^ \V ,0o. %.c^ ■e. .cV *■ "^^ .-^' s\ /- -^^ .^^. ^ "''^^, '^^ v^ x^'^ '^'^^. ^./..., "^^ V*' v^"^ .^•^ LIBBARV OF CONGRESS 017 139 229 9 f :A"^^-'*. •H"^;Ar-