The republic. [volume], July 30, 1849, Image 2

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! THE REPUBLIC. J
Report ofUenl. W. H. C. W UIUu?. Corps of
Engiurera, of Ikr Kxploratlou of New 1
Route from Has Autuulo dr Urxar to KJ
Puo.
San Antonio, June 10, 1849.
General J. G. Totten,
Chief Engineer of the United State*.
General: The parly organized by order of Gen.
Worth as an escort to Lieut. Smith, Topographical
Engineers, and myself, on our reconnoissnnce to
El Paso, and under my command, consisted of nine
men, regarded as well versed in frontier life and experience
as woodsmen and hunters.
We left San Antonio the evening of the 12th of
February, and owing to the very severe weather, a
wet norther having rendered the woods very heavy,
and the fact that our mules, both pack and saddle,
wi re many of them wild, and gave great trouble and
ueiuy, umy reucneu r reueriCKSiiurg on me mm.
This town is the ladt settlement on our route, and
distant from San Antonio about seventy-five miles,
in a direction a little W. of N. The road between
' these places is through a limestone country generally,
well watered, and at convenient distances, but
often hilly and stony. Two days were necessarily
consumed here in procuring additional animals and
provisions?our hasty outfit Iteing found incomplete,
and several of the mules unfit for the journey
before them.
We started from Fredericksburg in the evening
of the 21st of February, and the general direction of
the courses of the march having been entrusted by
me to Richard Howard, esq., the volunteer guide
of the party, we made the best of our way towards
the head of the river San Saba. To his extensive
and accurate knowledge of the country
traversed we were indebted for a march through
pleasant and well-watered valleys, admirably adapted
for the purposes.of a road, and presenting but
little labor to the pioneer.
The general formation of this part of the country
is secondary. We met with but few evidences of
the primary stratifications, and those chiefly on the
Llano, and on the right bankB of the San Saba. 1
should not judge, from the necessarily hasty and
imperfect examination afforded by the march
through, that the region is at all rich in mineral
products; although we met with evidences that the
enterprising Spanish adventurers, in their search
for silver, had traversed the country many years
before us. The interesting ruins of San Sai a fort,
their position and extent, and the vague traditions,
among both Indians and while men, of its establish
meni, ana me existence in its vicinity 01 ncn silver
mines, seem to contradict this idea; but, though
search has often b4en made for the locality in question,
1 have heard of no success, nor can I, in any
thing to which I have access, obtain authentic information
as 10 the object, commencement, and final
destruction of this fortress.
Leaving the head of the San Saba river in the
morning of the 2d of March, we camped at night
upon a little water found in a hole about 15 miles
west, and barely sufficient for the purposes of our
small party. It was the last we were to see until
one o'clock on the night of the 5th. We emerged
on the morning of the 3d, upon the elevated table
pUin, a vast limestone formation, extending many
oundred miles, arid and barren and thinly clad with
scattering mezquite, affording a home for the praine
dog and antelope alone.
The singular accuracy of Mr. Howard's judgment
waa here evident, and in a tract he had never |
traversed. Leading the trail, he brought us, with
the instinct of a bee, to the precise snot where the j
party under Hayes and Highsmith had separated [
on their return to San Antonio. Here we had been !
told we could have water, and from this point it j
would be abundant, until we reached the Pecos.
We passed many places where water once had been, j
. but tor 3 days, starting at daylight, and the last day
marching until 12 at night, our panting animals, I
alike with their riders, were unrefreshed by a single j
drop. A slight mist, which moistened the grass on j
the night of the 3d, together with the fortunate occurrence
of cool and cloudy weather, I believe, !
alone enabled the party to get through.
nere we sirucx a creen 01 uic rccus mn, uiu
saw ihe strange manner in which (he rivers and
creeks break through the vast limestone strata
that, many feet above their, beds form the
great table land. The descent from the latter
m generally difficult, often impracticable. Perpen- I
dicular limestone bluffs bounding the level plain, j
and rising like steps from the river and cut by
deep ravmef, which show the whole elevation in
the'form of truicaicd cones, are the general obsta- :
^ r.lea. Occasional uasses are found, however, and I
on one of these we were fortunate to hit.
This remarkable nCC. of which so little is
known, ruses in the moun' >'?" near Santa Ff, and
entering the limestone forma,*'?" 'n about the latitude
of 31? N., its valley gradual contract* until,
at length, it is found near its mouth winding amid
perpendicular cliffs :?for hundreds of m.'l?* " f?"*
a red and turbid stream by a channel of onfj* t?riy
feet in width and rarely varying, with great rapioV'y
and intricate windings 10 the eastern point of the
large bend of the Rio Grande The fords are not
numerous or easy.
1 found it necessary to construct a small foot
bridge of live-oak log* for the passage of our packs
The water at first is not pleas.irit, but the taste soon
becomes accustomed to it. This is protiably nw
jat to the vast salt and mineral plains through
-.shich it runs further to the northward.
Our route lay up the bank for some forty miles.
As It advanced nothing could exceed the appearance
of desolation and barrenness gradually as- ;
sumed by the neighboring country. Bare and bleak
hilU of the same monotonous taloe formation, and
ths almost enure w mt of timoer or even foliage,
make the landscape a desert. The only wood to be
had here, for travelling purposes, is the stunted mezquite,
which here and there furnishes sufficient for
rooking. Much travel would soon exhaust that
The weary march, without water, had rendered it
neokWaary to recruit the mules by short marches
arid kme rests, and it was not uniil the 12th that
wt left the river by a west course ; 25 miles of
prairie, occasionally intersected by dry gullies and
a grrnvL'th of r Imridrnii hmiurht us !n a
tiuuiw ? - n ,
spring, the first of a remarkable range. They apf?ear
to extend along the base of the Charrate Sierra.
Strongly mineral in their character, large quantitiea
of vanoua kind* of aalta are found encrusted on
the grass near them. They are pleasant to the
taste Destitute of any mark by which it may he
known there is water at hand, the traveller before
he is aware of it finds himself immediately upon a !
clear and refreshing spring. There sre five of these
as yet found by us, though many more may exist,
generally from 10 to !W miles apart, and atiout 15
from the base of the mountains. Small creeks i
generally flow from them for a short distance and
then sink into the prairie. Want of proper facilities
prevented an analysis of the salts which appeared
on the grass hard by.
Two of these springs are designated on the mans
of Weslizenus, the intelligent and learned gentleman
who accompanied the exhibiuon under Doniphan,
as the Ojo Leon and Qjo Cscondido?but put
down probably from report, or the maps of the
Mexicans, their position and course are not correct, i
Our direction was now assumed generally west, ,
in order to leave the mountains known as the j
Charrate and Diabolo on our left, and avoiding the '
rough country in this manner, afterwards "'rike in a i
southerly courae for the Presidio. We were un o- I
qua in ted with the nature of the great region to our j
right. The blue peaks of thes< mountains were j
plainly visible and we bore for then.
As we approached, the whole aspect of the country
changed The aqueoua formation gave place
to the more rugged work of fire: instead of the
< i L.ll- la
flat limestone tables, wr rnunu mini ui unii<.uii ,
ceaa, crowned with dark mai?M of amigdaloidal ;
basalt. The columnar structure and great height |
of the cliffs gave an imposing aspect to the
scenery.
Finding that, as we advanced, the range still continued
stretching far away to the northward, it
was decided to attempt the passage of the mountains,
and to shape our march directly for Presidio.
On the 17th, we entered the valleys at the base of
the Sierra f)mt>olo, little aware of the dangers in our
path. Following an old and faintly marked trail
which led us close to the main peaks, we had
traversed, as we imagined, the whole range, and
the country gradually began to appear more open ;
but soon after entering a valley where the hills prevented
an extended view, the jwrty on the after
noon of the 17th were suddenly and completely
surrounded by five bands of the Apache warriors,
each under its respective chiefs, and numbering altogether
some 900 m ounted men.
Viewing ua aa intruders, they advanced with
great rapidity, with hostile gestures, bows strung,
and brandishing lancea. Completely enveloped
where but little resistance could be made to numbers
ao greatly superior, without even a shrub t.
which to tie our frightened animals, and|numberirig
only 19 armed men, the situation of the little t>and
was perilous. Judging that here policy was the true
course, while Lieut. Smith and Mr. Howard coolly
extricated the command from their dangerous
neighbors, and without hurry or confusion reached
the aide of a small hill, I remained among the Indians
and gained a little time by holding up my
hand for them to atop, and calling on their chiefs for
a parley. This was agreed to; why, I know not;
^^ y ?
I
for never were men more completely in the power
of this treacherous race than ourselves. They |
siernly demanded who we were, and for what we
were in the Apache country? One of them, named
Gomez, and as we afterwards learned the terror of
Chihuahua, was particularly anxious to attack ua
at once. They were answered that we were Americana,
en route to Presidio Our intentions depended
on their own. We had come there peaceable,
that we remained so belonged to them. They
insisted that we should instantly come with them
and have a talk, but were told there could be no
conference until their men were drawn off and they
came up unarmed. This appeared to excite dissension
among them. Some were for instant attack,
while others were undecided. Mr. Howard
came down and joined me. The chief Gomez called
out that we were afr od, and that if we did not
move an (hey said, their fight would commence;
but there was that in the eye and reply of our intrepid
young guide and interpreter that caused htm
to lower his lone. It was satisfactory to see, at
this moment, the cool and resolute demeanor of the
escort, who, under the direction of Lieut. Smith,
had now tied the heads of their animals together.
and were waiting for the raising of a hand to commence
the unequal struggle. On the right and lef'.
two parties had stripped and dismounted, with their
bows and arrows in readiness to take us as nearly
as possible in flank, while another in front and
mounted appeared about to charge. But the influence
of Gomez was not sufficient to bring the majority
of the chiefs to his advice, and they agreed to
draw off their people and parley. This was done;
and it was decided that they should proceed in advance
to the water hard by, where they were encamped,
and that we should follow, select our camp,
and in the evening decide our future relations by
council. We took post in a small ravine which
afforded some little chance for defence. The Indians,
who had here a very large cavalcade of horses
and a drove of cattle, were all around us. Our situation
was gloomy, and few considered we had
any chance of escape. The chief Gomez was particularly
urgent that we should scatter about and
look for wood, here quite scarce, and go to cooking,
repeatedly saying he was friendly; but, observing
that his party were all mounted, and their
bows still strung, we remained together, each man
by his saddle, his arms in his hand, and watching
with great anxiety the movement of the Indians.
At b in the evening, the chiefs, unarmed and with
their blankets, appeared to talk. Through the medium
of Mr. Howard, I explained that we were an
advanced party of the army soon to appear upon
this line. That towards ull friendly Indians the intentions
of the United States were friendly. Agents
would probably be sent among them, and while
they continued peaceable they would be put upon
the same footing with the other Indian tribes. That
the commanding general was desirous that their
chiefs should meet him on his approach and enter
into a treaty. Making them some trilling presents
of tobacco, &c., which they begged as an earnest of
amity, they all seemed satisfied but Gomez, who
to the last retained his fierce and insulting demeanor.
They were anxious as to our relations with Mexico,
and were told that we had been at war with
that power, but were now at peace, and that the
army would advance to maintain that peace. The
lightest allusion, however, to that part of the treaty
which relates to restraining Indian depredations
upon Mexico and restoring Mexican captives would
have been the signal for a desperate struggle, fVom
which fifteen men, with but two days' scant allowance
of provisions, without wood and water, and
totally unsheltered, badly armed, and worse equipped,
had but little chance to escape with life.
We laid down that night upon our arms; the extreme
coldness of the mountain atmosphere increased
our discomfort. Expecting to be attacked each moment,
but little sleeping was done. In the morn
ing we learned from a Mexican captive that a wartalk
had been held, and Gomez was only prevented
during the night from falling on us by tne refusal
of the chiefs Cigarrito and Chiuonero to aid him.
Saddling up pn the morning of the 18th, and
leaving this locality, designated in our after conversations
as " Gomez camp," we retraced our march
of yesterday, guided by the friendly chief Cigarrito.
Gomez himself look leave in a very insulting
manner, and w arned us never to visit that country
again. We learned that he was then but four
days from Mexico, with a large cavalcade, a great
many cattle, and the plunder of his recent excursions
into Chihuahua. The old chief, who, riding
at the head of our train, related these things, added
that we must beware of him, for his designs were
yet hostile, and begged to be exculpated from all
share in his operations. We stopped at Cigarrito's
camp, taking a position above it from which we
could defy alike open attack and treachery. The |
Indians, whether friendly or hostile, are the most
accomplished thieves 1 ever met with, and not one
who was permuted to come near our fires, in spite
of watching, but went off laden with small articles
The most serious loss to myself I did not discover
until some days afterwards, when 1 found that my
i saddle-bags had been picked of various things, including
a bundle of papers, comprising ail my
orders, instructions, letters, private journal, and
moot?" Touchers for disbursements at Fredericksburg
' It dont while the council was being
held" and it v*M Thus lhe desire of one day
retaliating upon ** h,i W*" DO*
sened by thi reflecuon h* ,hen
using my most important 10 cover igarrito's
The warning of the old chief of u" Southern
Apaches was not heedless. Inducing, by th" *"1
a couple of blankets, one of his men to put us on * '
trail whie.h might cross the range of rnouniains, we I
led the Apache village. Our route was still somewhat
hack upon our course, for we found we had
come a great deal west, and were tolu that a difficult
and tedious path would have to be followed south !
if wc persisted. The Indian at length, coming in
sight of a notable mountain |>eak, pointed the
course and left us. We entered fairly into the
gorge of a beautiful pass, and through it, winding
its way between lofty and perpendicular walls of
basalt, runs a clear brook. The travel was fine, a j
continued succession of cotlonwood groves, mixed j
with cedar, oak, and hackberry. while the mulli- I
tudes of wild roses, the only ones we had met with ;
in Texas, made a new feature in the picture. We I
were pleased to find that little or no labor would be
required to pass the road through the mountains
here; and this, tor we h id almost despaired of a
practicable route, gave new courageA
small band of Indians in advance of us, and
whom we met in the pass towards night, took to
flight.
The creek I named the Limpia, and at one
o'clock the next day, 20th March, we passed the
mountains, and reached the point where we were
to leave its refreshing waters. The cotlonwood
trees here, growing to great size, were marked
with the rude painting of the < 'amanchcs.
Alarm smokes and signal smokes had now begun
to appear in every direction, and the signs |
around us warned us to be guarded. Although !
only one o'clock, all our preparations 10 camp were
made, the animals staked out, |>acks and saddles
properly placed. I he men carefully examined
their arm?.
At 6 o'clock at night, raddling up, we silently
took up our aombre m.irch ; leaving our camp-fire*
burning, quitting the trail* aa another meaaure of
precaution, and holding ourcourae by the aura, the
men were directed to march four and five ahreaat,
the pack mule* to be led, and the Mexican* to lie
ready to faaten all the animala together at a mo- i
ment'a warning. We were traversing a bare dog'*
town prame. It waa there that Gom? expected to
have ua at advantage. Two hour* had acarcely
passed when the sudden flashing of signal fires
showed our departure was discovered, h.xjiecting j
every instant toe yell of the enemy, almost helpless
in our exposed position, the wind blowing a gale
in chill and furious gusts, the darkness of the night,
with the mountain peaks behind ua lit up with the
glare of the fires, combined to render tnat march
one which few of ua will forget.
Reaching at one at night a huge pile of bouldera
of grit, wearied and desperate, we stopped. The
next day we reached the ruins of the Cibolo, where
we might regard ourselves in |Kxntion to bid defiance
to Gomez.
It may not be irrelevant here to notice that, on
our return march from fcl Paao, we came by the
" Painted Camp" on the Ltmpia. The. grass,
where we left it so green and luxuriant, had been
tmrnpled by hundreds of horses, and round our
j ramp-fires '200 Apache lodges had lieen placed the
morning only after we had left. Their trails had
Ctimr in ir??m rrrry uirn uim iijjwri mr rninmg <-i
(he signal fires.
We learned that Gomez had intended to take us
that night, but loat our track.
On the 24th, after a fatiguing march from the
mountains, eubsisiing on a spoonful of f inoli a piece
per diem, and for the last three duye our allowance
of meat, reduced to a slice of panther which the
Delaware had killed, we reached Fort Leaton This
is the ranche of an American who has placed himself
opposite Presidio del Norte.
We hnd thus, in 42 days from Fredericksburg,
reach the " Norte." From this point to the Pecos
we had found a fine road The want of water, between
that river and the Sun Saba, apf>eared an insurmountable
obstacle; but we hoped in returning
to find a bettei route.
The enterprising.owner of the vicinity, W Leeton,
exerted lino self to the utmost, with but small
resources, to furnish provisions and animals for our
I further progress to El Paso, and to udvance the expedition
m every possible way.
| I take greut pleasure in noticing Mr Leuton here.
His position is in every respect remarkable. Locateu
in a valley of the Rio Grande, a little below
Presidio, with some 8 or 10 Americans in his employment,
he has in a few months accomplished a
great amount of severe labor, fortified himself in a
good position, secured his stock, and carried to
considerable extent his farming operations, his men
being all the while obliged to work with their arms
at hand. They have been exposed to the incursions
of the Indians on one side, and to a series of outrageous
impositions ttnd aggressions ou the part of
the Mexicans on the other, and forced to mount
guard day and night.
I deemed it my duty to make to General Worth
a report upon the conduct of the Mexican authorities
at this place.
Mr. Leaton informed ine tiiat the Indian tribes
were all hostile, and apprehended that it would tie
impossible to avoid fighting on the march to El
: Paso.
I accordingly increased the party by the addition
of two men?all I could find to go with me. Leaving
all the baggage which could be spared and an
account of our journey thus fur, we set out from
Fort Leaton, on the 30th of March, to try und find
a route by the river to El Paso. I was pleased to
nnu thai my men were in no wise daunted oy me
prophecy that we would not return, und the accounts
of the dangers of the route. They appeared
as always indifferent and resolute.
The importance of a river road between these
points had been strongly urged by General Worth.
Fourteen days' march, toilsome and severe,
through the splendid scenery of the Rio Grande,
sometimes climbing precipitous paths high ubove
the river, sometimes winding along its banks,
brought the party to El Paso. During that time,
we rarely let go our urms, and every precaution of
close order of march, scouts in advance and rear,
and sentinels whenever we stopped, was adopted
and kept up. Fortunately for us, the population of
the Rio Grande had left the many Indian towns
which successively astonished us, and hud retired
to spend the spring and summer in the mountains?
another of the many instances of providential escape
which marked our course.
The first 50 miles lay through a well wooded valley
of the river, presenting little or no obstacle to
the pussage of the troops. A small fatigue party
should always be in advance to clear the chaparral,
and slope the gullies. The soil is firm gravelly sand,
and apparently on the river banks quite fertile.
The next 30 miles, however, is in the formation
called by the Mexicans "caxones" or boxes. Here
the red hills are washed by the river which they
overhang, in bold precipitous bluffs, exceedingly
difficult of travel, and much labor will be required
to pass a road; sleep narrow ridges of gravel intersect
the valley where valley exists, and at other
points high hills, having a base, generally of sandstone
of different varieties, must be turned or
climbed by a winding course upon their sides.
From tnis, with the exception of two passes of
a few miles in extent, where the road will cross the
hills of the Notch and the Eagle pass of Mount
Chase, the travelling is fair. Beyond, for a hundred
miles, the valley of the river gradually widens
into fine bottom land, heavily timbered witn cottonwood;
light sandy soil, when irrigated judiciously,
affording good crops and fine sites for settlements
or posts. This valley finds its northern limit in
u- _i ci rt ?,.,i
iiiuuiiiaiim wniui cnuuoc Cil raou, auu tumainsi
the Island, a large tract of fertile land, well settled
and cultivated, and now, from the deepest channel
of the river, being to the W., belonging to the United
States.
The difficulties in the way of communication by
the Rio Grande bank, between Presidio and El Paso,
are not sufficient to do away with its importance to
the public interest. Bound to afford protection to our
own settlements, which in course of time advance
into this region, and by the stipulations of solemn
treaty to restrain and punish Indian depredations
upon Mexico, 1 regard the construction of a
military road upon the river here as absolutely necessary
to this end.
Independent of the fact, that communication between
posts is itself one great and most efficient
barrier to savage incursions; early secured, it induces
settlements, whieh, in lime, peopled by our
hardy pioneers, become the best defence of a frontier.
The range of the numerous Apache tribes is directly
upon this river; their winter towns are extensive
upon its banks; their spring and summer
retreats are found in the mountains, which with
little interruption extend from Presidio to Santa F?.
Sheltered by the rugged hills of the Rio Grande
from the winter storms, their families remain in the
cottonwood groves, where their lownsk-are built,
while the warriors carry terror and desolation
i throughout Chihuahua. From the capital to the
extreme frontier no hamlet exists where the ruthless
hand of the Apache has not been fell. Eyewitnesses
alone can have an accurate idea of the
terrible extent of these maraudings. On the Mtxican
side, and in sight of our i?ath, three large Presidios,
with the remains of cultivation about them,
now inhabited by the crow and the wolf alone,
stand melancholy monuments of Mexican weakness
and Indian ferocity.
Should the route pass the east of this range, as '
a military barrier it will tie worthless. It should
come where they cross with their plunder, and
whence, by their known trails, the recesses of the
mountains may be reached. The establishment of
tpoving camps of active mounted men, always on
the uie.~** alway* ready, it is thought would tend to
ihc speedv e?'ablishment of a much more peaceable
state of things, aut at thc t,mp ** a? ded
with but little more ex,^n?? th?" $*? garrisons
Tt. ~c .i-?... .mi should be garrisoned
A IITT pwai *?i ucfFUl aim v.?
by infantry, but it will be tound that the only efficient
force for our threat national purpose* on thin
important frontier is cavalry.
Qn the night of the 12th April we reached Ponce'a
ranche, opposite El Paao, the terminus of our outward
bound inarch. The town of El Paao, until
the march of Doniphan's column but little known
in our country, and that only to the few traders,
who, from time to time, passed through it, is situated
about eight miles below the pass, with a
population of 5,000. At the head of a fertile tract of
the Rio Grande bottom, and shut in to the river by
the gravel hills to the west, it rejoices in a pleasant
climate and productive soil. The low adobes, or
mud-walled houses, are relieved to the eye by luxuriant
orchards, pretty gardens, and well pruned
vineyards. The green and freah wheat crops
growing around, the peach, and pear, and apricot,
and quince, in endlesa profusion, and the fine appearance
of the vegetables, give promise of what
American industry and cultivation might do where
the Mexican is so productive. They raise with
their rude instruments only what they require
themselves, of wines, liquors, and grain. In skilful
hands the grapes here grown will produce delightful
wine. But the greatest abundance and best cultivated
is found on La Isla, the fertile island of the
Rio Grande, below El Paso, about thirty miles in
length, from four to eight broad, and studded with
the little towns of Isleta, Socoro and San Elczano.
Thia island now belongs to the United States, a
change greatly rejoiced in by its denizens, but extremely
disliked by the Mexican Government.
A scarcity at present prevails in the El Paso valley.
This is owing to the fact of their rarely raising
more than sufficient for their own wants, and
the heavy drains upon the farmers by the march
nf th* r/iliimm ilnrinir the w?r and nftrr the nCHre.
Of stock, the Indiana have taken rare,and scarcely
any thing remains of the once numerous herda bei
longing to the town.
The little hamlet of laleta, however, originally a '
village of the Pueblo Indiana, as they are railed,
holds us own well. The slender remnant of some
old Aztec tribe, the tradition la still alive among
them that one dny their great Montezuma will return
to lift their yoke and redress their wrongs,
cultivating paiiently their little farms, and retaining
to the last their animosity to the Mexicans. These,
of greater heart than their masters,, meet the Apache
with his own weapons, and keep themselves inviolate
Still holding to their own dialects and to many
of their old customs, and but half chrisuanized,
their worship a rude mixture of Catholic and Pagan
rites, their numliera are fast dwindling a way,
and hut few years will pass before the last altarfire
of their race will he extinguished
At an interval of leisure nt El Paso, I examined
the position of Frontera, situated directly at the
Paso, with a view to the location of a |?ost for the
troops It appeared to me adapted for the purpose.
From it the Santa Ff road, the ford, the Chihuahua
and El Paso branches are all commanded, and
the control of communications in all directions
given to our forces
Having at length, with much difficulty, succeeded
in obtaining a supply of freah animala and aufficient
aubaislenee, on the I'lth of April we joyfully
set out on our return march. Severs) different
routes to the Pecos hnd been proposed to me, but
they nil ntruck too much td the north, and, fearful
of agnin encountering the ihirsty deacrt of the ureal
Stano Eatacado, I determined, by the advice of the
able engineer, Mr Howard, to take the course for
San Antonio, convinced that a route could be had.
THE REPUBLIC.
qi I m?rnmmmm??,
The strength of the |xtr(y I had nearly doublrd,
with a view to a different meeting with our friend
| Gomez, should we fall in with him.
1 had secured the services of the brave Captain
Skilltnan, the same gallant adventurer who, with
men, dashed into the square of El Paso and
look General Amnio in his own town. He had
volunteered on the hazardous duly of going to Presidio,
and there obtaining the baggage and papers 1
had left, with such animals as were fit to return.
He was to cross the mountains and attempt to join
me on the Pecos. I could sfiare him but three men,
and he left on his perilous adventure two days before
us.
Our route now lay for 100 miles down the Rio
Grande, and following in the trail by which Gomez
had gone out with Ins lost plunder, we were led
.through a fine pass of the Rio Grande hills, cut by
the action of water through an extensive formation
of urgillaceoiiB and calcareous sandstone.
A deserted canin of nnmlicrleKN lodges i-ovfrml
the valley into which the pass emerged, showing
that here, loo, the Afwche had his home.
Crossing an extensive prairie, or broad valley
lying between the Rio Grande mountains and the
Sierra Diabolo, we entered the northwestern hills
| of thai extensive range ut a point about !20 miles
to the north and west of where we were met by
Gomez and his band.
Here features of country entirely new presented
themselves. The mounlaiusofgruniteand porphyry,
further to the south of basaltic rock, are the most
striking we have yet seen. Following an old Indian
path it led us to a deep ravine, in which trickled a
clear and cold mountain spring; from this it climbed
by a steep and perilous ascent of 1,500 feat, what
we at first thought was a high hill in our course.
It proved to be un elevated table valley, from which,
surrounded by groves of oak of every kind, and
large pines, the loftier peaks rear their heads. The
ascent was very severe, but amply repaid by the
magnificence of the scene Slopping to breathe, we
could see stretching far to the northward the yellow
prairie with the blue mountuins of the Rio Grande
in the distance, while beneath at a fearful depth lay
the ravine, relieved in its rugged grandeur by the
dark hues of clusters of Spunish oaks, and the occasional
glitter of the rivulet in its bottom. Our
march, refreshed by frequent springs, continued
over pleasant slopes and througn superb scenery.
The aspect of the whole of this elevated table, the
pines and Inrge oaks, altogether so different from
any country yet explored by us, almost forced us
to the belief that we were too far to the north for
our course. We attempted to extricate ourselves
from the mountains, now becoming tugged and
difficult, by following the course of a creek; butafler
hours of slow and toilsome progress between huge
walls and over large masses of granite and basalt,
we were lurceu to retrace our steps.
Despairing of the road, we were suddenly relieved
by the discovery of a pass when most wished for,
and shortly had the satisfaction of resting on the
head waters of the Limpia.
Marching by the Wild Rose pass, the scene of
our gloomy night escape, we continued with little
trouble and by rapid stages to the Pecos, taking in
our route and at convenient distance the springs of
the " Basin," the Awache, and the Escondido.
Continuing down this river by its right bank, 20
miles below where we crossed before, we were
making preparations to ford, when we were relieved
by the sudden appearance of Skillman and his men.
We had been very anxious about them. Indian
signs upon our march had been fresh and frequent.
He, too, had met with Gomez, but we now learned
that that wily chief, finding that we had escaped
him and reached El Paso, had in the mean time
moved nearer to Presidio, and fearing lest we might
come back with a stronger party, had made a treaty
with Mr. Lealon, and permitted Skillman to pass
unmolested through his whole tribe.
A march of two days, a distance of about 35 miles
from the Pecos, brought ua to the head springs of
the San Pedro, a clear river, which, after a tortuous
course of some 50 or 60 miles, finds its way to the
Rio Grande. This stream, laid down on the maps
as the old boundary between the States of Coahuila
and Chihuahua, is but little known. Disturnell's
map, an exceedingly incorrect representation, by
the way, of the geography of this whole region,
puts down upon it an old Spanish fortress, called
Fort del Altar. We found no traces of it in a march
from its head to its mouth. The neighboring country
is remarkable. The great limestone table elevation,
so unbroken further to the north, is here
cut up by innumerable ravines or canons of great
depth, and frequently showing the whole side but
one per|*endicular wall. The road here in several
places would require preparation, but a tolerable
route is easily obtained by keeping the " Divided"
for one half of the way, and the canons of the
Pecos for the other. We crossed the San Pedro at
the "Painted Puss," an old ford of the Camanches?
I gave it its name from the Indian signs in it?descending
from the Divide by a picturesque canon
which showed in its high walls numerous limestone ;
caves In one of the largest, we stopped to noon, i
Here upon the walls the Camanches had painted j
their rude sketches of successful forays into Mexico.
It seemed that wherever the Indian had his choicest
retreats and bis most favorable routes, we were
bound to go.
Here again we fell short of provisions, but more
fortunate than before in the nature of our game, the
spoils of five bears, and the successful prowess of
our hunter with the venison and the bees, kept us
abundantly supplied uulil we reached the settlements.
Crossing the San Pedro we emerged in the fine
Las Moras valley, an extensive succession of rolling
plains, waien-d by numerous streams, timbered
with the live-oak and pecan, and the mezquile, and
Fresenting the finest stock range and the richest soil
had seen in Texas. The travelling was now excellent,
and this unbroken country extended to San
Antonio, towards which from the " Painted Pass"
our course had been nearly east.
After an alisence of 104 days, long since given up
as lost. by all but a few of the most sanguine, we
made our appearance in Bexar on the 24th of May,
our long and tedious march having, by its delay,
saved an encounter with the cholera, which I consider
as another instance of fortunate escape.
A brief summary of the discovered route will not
be out of place in this letter. It is extracted mainly
from the report rendered in accordance with orders,
immediately upon our arrival to headquarters
of the dth and 9th departments.
Leaving a point on the Gulf near Lavaca, it
passes through San Antonio, and thence westward,
by the well-known Woll mad, aa far aa Leona
Mound. Continuing a general westerly course, it
"rosses the Neuces some 12 miles from the Leona;
and, ascending from the bed of that river to the plateau
lieyond, passes the country already described,
to the "Painted Pass" of the San Pedro; between
three two points it crosses, at convenient distances,
the running water of the Piasano, the Elm, the Las
\4 .U. I ... 15-J? 1 .1? O t'-l- ?
.vi<>!<> , iiic lafjucw,, me runt, rum uic oan r
Thus, in a distance nf |'2() miles, crossing six quite
large creeks, with their numerous tributaries. The
grazing, so tar, is very good; beyond is not so
(air.
Between the San Pedro and the Pecos, the labors
of the pioneer* commence The road crossing the
former at the "Painted Pass," ascends on the
level Divide by the Cation of the Caves; this cafion
is abundantly supplied with water a few miles further;
and on this Uvtl table is found the Arroyo de
lo* Palos Blan'ros, a singular creek, the water of
which ap|tenr* to he slightly sulphuretted; it is,
however, drinkable. Two days' march from the
Painted Pass reaches the head of running water in
the San Pedro, and Anther finds the so-called head
spring, a clear lagods of living water, surrounded
by a heavy growth of pecan.
From this to the riv,er Pecos, a distance of about
.'15 miles, permanent water will not be found; in all
wet seasons, however, it is abundant.
The road,follows the valley of the Pecos inn
northwesterly course for about 50 miles, and then
leaving it in a general went direction, and taking is
its course the notahld springs of the prairie, may
pass ihe Sierra Diabolo by the Wild Rose Pass, or
further to the northward by the Gomez Pans, and
then strike the. Rib Grande about 10(1 miles below
j El Paso The course of this river is verv incor|
reclly laid down on the maps; the point at which
; the road strikes it is nearly in the course between
El Paso and San Antonio, the general direction of
the stream lieing here east of southeast. Thence
it follow* the river to El Paso, leaving it twice by
amiable pauses to avoid the precipitous hills which
overhang the waters.
The object of the reconnoisssnce, as stated in the
?m vmirrrm onn, u? 11 inrre iic n
I practical and convenient route for military and commercial
purposes, lieiween Kl Paa<> and the Gulf of
Mexico, psaatng t>y or near San Antonio or Auatin,
in Texaa," ha* thua been attained. The great
difficulty apprehended was the want of permanent
water. Il will be acen that no water ha* !>een mentioned
which i* not characterised a* living water,
and gn at care wa* taken to locate the route in ?uch
a manner that in all wet aenaona water may be
found in great abundance It ia believed that 110
other mute yet known to the weat, preaenta, in thia
reaped, the aame facilities.
We had thus accompliahed our task, with how
much good fortune I need not aay. Poorly mount- 1
ed, few in numbera, and haatily equipped, our I
meana of rerunnniaaance, on our right hand and on ,
our left, were entirely wanting, and, glad to return j
at all, we have been more lhtui satisfied that a route
of any description has been found. In ao extenaive
a country, and ao little known, it cannot be aaid
that neither other nor bettor routes do not exist;
much remains to be known. The geography and
geology of the whole region is yet to be settled.
But so much is accomplished: it is demonstrated
that, untroubled by the storms of winter, a route
from (he Gulf of Mexico to the great West is
opened for the southern States. And it is not improbable
that, at no distant day, the continent of
Asia and the great Chinese Empire will by this region
become to the United States no longer an
Eastern, but another Western world.
In concluding this letter, 1 would say to the Chief
Engineer that it is intended merely as a general
summary from my journal, and 1 regret exceedingly
that the want of means, and especially of force,
has precluded iny adding in any manner to the statistical
and geological information of the country.
I have no apology to make for it but the circumstances
of the expedition?not scientific, for we had
no time to supply either books, instruments, or
maps; not military, for the organization of the
party was directly the reverse
The details of courses, events, Ac., will be found
in the journal. Possessing none of that interest
which scientific explorations have for the thinking
and well-informed, and still less the attractive character
which similar adventures would enjoy in the
hands of a skilful narrator, it is but a meagre outline
of labors which at least were zealous.
Accompanying is a rough sketch of the march,
made by the compass, and of course only an approximation
to the geography of the country. It
may serve to convey an idea of the route.
Howard, an accomplished guide, whose judgment,
whenever at fault, his decision compensated;
and Brady, with his hardy companions, who, resolute
and unmurmuring, escorted us for a march
of near 1,600 miles, 1 would once more introduce to
the Chief Engineer, accompanying the notice with
my thanks.
I am, General, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) W. H. C. WHITING,
Lieutenant of Engineers
THE REPUBLIC.
WASHINGTON:
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 30. 1849.
THE POLICY OF REFORM.
" It is no strange thing," said an eminent
English statesman, " to those who
look in,to the nature of corrupted man, to
find a violent persecutor a perfect unbeliever
of his own creed." It is something
strange, however, to see a set of men un
dertaking to build up an opposition to government
based upon the denunciation of a
policy which they at the same time profess
to approve, have always acted upon,
and admit to be the only policy on which
governments can be supported. We are
not prepared to go quite so far as Dr.
Johnson carried the principle when he
said, that if he were minister he would
turn out any man who dared to wag a finger
at him. But in the views of Mr.
Burke, as expressed in the following passage
from one of the ablest of his political
pamphlets, we entirely concur. It is proper
that we should add that the Mr. Burke
from whom we quote is the English statesman
of that name, and not the ex-Commissioner
of Patents :
" Party is a body of men united for promoting,
" by their joint endeavors, the national interest,
" upon some particular principle in which they are
" all agreed. For my part, I find it impossible to
" conceive that any one believes in his own poli"
ties, or thinks them to be of any weight, who
" refuses to adopt the means of 1 laving them
" reduced into practice. It is the business of the
" speculative philosopher to mark the proper ends
" of government. It is the business of the politi"
cian, who is the philosopher in action, to fiud out
" proper means towards tliose ends, and to employ
" them with effect. Therefore, every honorable
" connexion will avow it as their first purpose to
" pursue every just method to put the men who
" hold their opinions into such a condition as inay
44 punhlp ihpm to rarrv tK#?ir onmmnn nlona
" execution with ail the power and authority of the
" state. As this power is attached to certain situa"
lions, it is their duty to contend for these situa"
tions. Without a proscription of others, they are
" bound to give their own party the preference in
" all things; and by no means, for private consid"
orations, to accept any offers of power in which
" the whole body is not included, nor to suffer
" themselves to be led, or to be controlled, or to be
" overbalanced in office or in council, by those who
" contradict the very fundamental principles on
" which their party is formed, and even those upon
" which every fair connexion must stand. Such a
" generous contention for power, on such manly
" and honorable maxims, will easily be distin"
guished from tlx- mean and interested struggle
" for place and emolument."
To read the invectives of the opposition
press against the progress of the reform
which has already exposed to the people the
defalcations of Moore, Collins, and Denby?and
which we are authorized to say
will soon exhibit other instances of official
malversation?one would suppose that the
doctrine of supporting an administration by
its friends rather than its enemies is some-1
thing novel, instead of being the doctrine
on which all administrations in all time
have acted, and o> which all administrations
must act, unless they design to make
themselves the sport of their enemies.
The really novel idea is that of sustaining
an administration by placing its pa
tronage in the hands of men who will
employ it against that administration.
What act of the present Administration
has subjected it to more bitter taunts from
its enemies than the reappointment of
Georor Loyai.l as navy agent at Norfolk?
Was it not every where denounced, by
the Locofoco press, as an act of hy|>ocrisy
intended to delude the people of Virginia
by a false show of forbearance ?
Get us look a little at the history of the
past. During Mr. Monroe's presidential
term, the two great parties which had pre
viously divided the country abandoned
their organization, and ceased to exist as
narties. In the presidential election of
1H24, there were five candidates in the
field, each one of whom had been a leading
and distinguished member of the old
Democratic party Mr Adams, Mr.
Crawford, Mr. Clat, Mr. Calhoun,
and General Jackson. No choice having
been made by the people, the election
devolved on the House of Representatives,
and Mr. Adams became the president.
Mr. Clay became the Secretary of State.
General Jackson was again put in nomination
by his friends, and new parties were
soon formed under the names of the Administration
and the Jackson parties.
The opposition, or the Jackson party,
commenced forthwith a violent war on
Mr. Adams, which terminated in his overthrow
and the election of General Jackson.
During the canvass, the election of
t
the General was advocated upon the
grounds, among others, that he would act
impartially in the distribution of public
favors, and was opposed to party spirit
and the proscription of the Federalists or
Democrats. In proof of this his celebrated
letter to Mr. Monroe was cited, in which
he declared that the time had arrived
to "extirpate the monster called party
spirit." In spite of this declaration, the
war upon Mr. Adams was prosecuted with
the utmost violence. A prominent member
of the opposition party, indeed?since
a Vice President of the United States?declared
that " the Administration must be
|wt down, were it as pure as the angels
in heaven."
When General Jackson came into the
Presidency, a very different state of things
existed from any thing that we have seen
since. The post offices throughout the
country were filled by men who had been
appointed during the administration of
Mr. Monroe, or bv a Postmaster General
- - - - / - J ? - who
was himself friendly to the election
of General Jackson. Mr. Adams had
abandoned this branch of the public service
to his opponents, and there were pro
bably more friends than enemies of the
new administration in office on the 4th of
March, 1829. What were the views of
the duty of administration supported at
that time by the men who now oppose
General Taylor? We do not design to
adopt or approve the doctrines which we
cite; for we are willing to rest the policy
of the present Administration on the prin
ciples so forcibly expressed by Mr. Burke,
beyond which we do not desire to step
a hair's breadth.
Our first extract is from the organ of
the Jackson party in New York:
" Removals.?The work goes bravely on; the
"friends of Mr. Adams ;ire removed from office, and
" the friends qf General Jackson Ate. appointed. This
" course, indicating' firmness and obedience to the
" public will, will give permanency to any admiuis"
tration."
The Democratic doctrine on the subject
was thus laid down by Mr. Marcy in the
Senate of the United States:
" ' When they,' (the politicians,) he exclaimed,
" ' are contending for victory, they avow their in"
tention of enjoying the fruit# of it. If they are
" defeated, they expect to retire from office. If
" they are successful, they claim, as a matter of
" right, the advantage of success. They see no
?' thing wrong in the rule that to the victors belong
" the spoils of the enemy.' "
General Jackson will be received as a
true exponent of Democratic doctrine, we
presume, by the Opposition. He thus lays
it down in his inaugural address as President
of the United States:
" The recent <iemonat ration* of public aentixneiit
u aiw, i:~a k* 1?
iuo^iiuc mi m?- urn. ut mivt- (mill's, in cnar"
acters too legible to be overlooked, the task of re"
form, which will require particularly the oor"
rection of those abuses that have brought the
" patronage of the Federal Governoient into con"
ttict with the freedom of elections, and the cotui"
terartion of those causes which have disturbed
" the rightful course of appointment, and have
" placed or continued power in unfaithful or in
competent hands.
" In the performance of a task thus generally de"
lineated,' 1 shall endeavor to select men whose
" diligence and talents will ensure in their rospect"
ive stations able and faithful co-operation?de*'
pending for the advancement of the public more
" on the integrity and zeal of the public officers,
" than on their numbers."
We shall enrich our extracts with the
following paragraphs from the first message
of President Jacksou, in which the
subject is discussed at considerable length:
" There are, perhaps, few men who can, for any
" length of time, enjoy office and power without
" being inore or less under the influence of feelings
" unfavorable to a faithful dischargcof their public
" duties. Their integrity may be proof against
" improper considerations immediately addressed
" to themselves; but they are apt to acquire a liabit
" of looking with indifference upon the public intr"
rests, and of tolerating conduct from which an"
practised men would revolt. Office ia considered
" as a species of property, and government rather
" as a means of promoting individual interests til an
" as an instrument created solely for the service of
" the people,?corruption in some, and in others
" a perversion of correct feelings and principles,
111 ii*i i ?u?< iimriii 111ii11 m h -giumau' rniiH, ami i
" make it an engine for the support of the few, at 1
' the expense of the many. The duties of all publir
" officers are, or at least admit of being, inade so
" plain and simple, tfiat the intelligent inay readily
" qualify them for their performance; and I cannot
" but believe that more is lost by the long continu"
ance of men in office than is generally to be gained
" by their experience. I submit, therefore, to your
?' consideration, whether the efficiency of the Gov
" eminent would not fx- promoted, and official in
" dustry and integrity better secured, by a general
" extension of the law which limits appointments
" to four years.
' In a country where offices are created solely for
" the benefit of the people.no one man has any more
" intrinsic right to official station than another.
" Offices were not established to give support to par"
tirular men at the public expense. No individual
wrong is therefore done by removal, since neither
" appointment to, nor continuance in, office is
* matter of right. The incumbent became an offi"
cer with a view to public benefits; and, when
" these require his removal, they are not to besarri"
ficed to private interests. It is the people, and
" they alone, who have a right to complain when a
" bad officer is sulistituted for a good one. He who
" is removed has the same means of obtaining a
" living that are enjoyed by the millions who never
" held office. The proposed limitation would de
" stroy the ides of property now so generally con"
nected with'official station; and although indi"
vidual distress may be sometimes produced, it
" would, by promoting that rotation which ronsti"
lutes a leading principle in the republican creed.
" (five healthful action to the system."
The views of Mr. Polk'b Administration
were announced in very distinct lan
guagc in the official journal, from which we
copy the following paragraph :
" All the offices held at the will of the Executive
" are suppiswd by the ('institution to Iw rrachrd by
I "the rmonnting principle in the rc-eUrtton qf every
" Chief Magmtrate. If he be chosen by the people
" toi-tinlife the principles and measure* of his pre"
decoMor, in the conduct of the Government, to re.
" form h buses. and put it on a new tack, hi has
" thr powbb maihly tmbouom CHAnoino its 1
" auihth. The sailing of the ship is not less in j
' the hands of those who triin the anils, than in his
' who holds the helm. Henre, ns it is supposed
" the people, In dimming a new President, may j |
" i n new Mireetimi for the pobli< HfTnira.hr |
"htm conferred upon Aim thr unlimited powtr yf ,
" changing the men through whom they an monuged
"On his Induction into office, every head of a de- '
" purtiixiit resigns, as a lonttrr of course, his com- J
" uiissioii; and this art of the firat fnm lionary of
" every elass of public aervire ia, in effect, to aay .
" that every place under them ia vacant, if the '
" President chooses to consider it. \o setoaui- s
" sate orrtrn molds mis place but bv a pee (
"mission equivalent to a reappointment} lUld .
" the true theory of our Government in regard to
" thr subsidiary Executive functionaries ia, that t
" nonjc nhould be permitted to remain, Oil in
" OTHER WUHU4, lit REAPPOINTED, witOlll till! PlOB- ,
" ident would not, under the circuUMtancei atUriid"
iug-crcii i-rrc. appoint to opkicb. He iajunl tut
" responsible for retaining an for appointing."
Such were the principles of the late
Locofoco dynasty on this subject. We all
know that its practice accorded with its
principles. The emblem of the hickory
broom is familiar to us. The charitable
consolation to the dismissed office-holder?
"root hog or die"?is not forgotten. All
the offices in the country, not already so
occupied, were bestowed, during his administration,
upon the noisy and active
partisans of General Jackson. In 1834
the Whig party was formed. It soon
numbered a moiety of the nation among
its numbers, and very sure are we that no
one of them was ever appointed to office
during the administration of the General or
of his successor. In 1840 the Whigs outnumbered
and outvoted their opponents by
a very large majority. They lost power
by the unfortunate death of General Harrison,
and the infamous treachery of Mr.
Tyler. During Mr. Polk's administration,
not a Whig was appointed to any
office, and the few whom Mr. Tyler had
spared were unceremoniously ejected.
For twenty years, then, the opponents of
the late dynasty have been strictly excluded
from all participation in public
honors and emoluments. So far was this
exclusion carried, that a plot was engendered
for committing the conduct of the
Mexican war to a lieutenant-general, in
order to supersede the distinguished Whig
officers who were winning perilous laurels
in the service of their country.
All this was sustained by the Locofoco
press. It was all right that Whigs should
be proscribed. Worse than that?they
were denounced by the Chief Magistrate
of the country as traitors, giving "aid and
comfort" to the enemy. But now, forsooth?when
this proscription has been
proscribed, and the President seeks to restore
the late down-trodden and trampled,
but now triumphant party to their rightful
share in public appointments?the op])osition
press sets up a universal wail,
and rallies the dismissed office-holders to
join the coalition of Barnburners, Abolitionists,
and Old Hunkers, to overthrow
the Administration of Zachary Taylor,
the "southern slaveholder."
wnnvn * * F*XVF* WjXVt?.."Vt. H* 1S( JKL.KC?
TION8.
Mr. Ewtiig and Mr. Tyler.
At the time of the election of General
Tatlor, out of some eighty clerks in the
General Land Office, there were not more
than ten or fifteen Whigs. It was not
that there had been any proscription for
opinion's sake, but because a Whig was
not permitted to hold office under the late
Administration, except in cases where his
services were indispensable. But, after
the result of the Presidential election became
known, things began to assume a
better aspect. Several Whigs were appointed
to hard duties and small salaries,
and on the '27th of July instant the clerks
in the General Land Office were so proportioned
that the removal of nineteen
Locofocos and the appointment of nineteen
Whigs left the numbers nearly equal.
Now, during the canvass of 1848, there
were from sixty to seventy Locofoco clerks
in that office; and however it may have
been at their desks, in the election, at least,
they were not idle. Those of them that
did not go abroad and engage actively in
the campaign, furnished the sinews of war.
The election n Pennsylvania was supposed
to be the one which would decide the
contest. It was important to carry thai%
and, in order to do it, voluntary contributions
were raised by the Locofoco clerks,
and forced contributions were levied on
the few Whigs in the office to furnish the
means by which men could be transported
from the District of Columbia to vote in
Pennsylvania. To this fund the nineteen
clerks removed on Saturday .contributed,
every man of them, without exception.
We have the names, with the sum paid
by each, but do not think worth while to
give them. Suffice it that we know, on
the most undoubted evidence, that every
man among them contributed money to
perpetrate this deliberate, monstrous fraud
on the elective franchise; and these are the
men for whom the Union claims impunity,
because they did not interfere in the election.
But this is not the only reason for the
removal of thixe mun 7" _? ..
?... ?. ...v?v mivm? i iixi Kjnurrk IP* Ilinr
organ, their mouth-piece, the exponent of
their opinions and feelings. Its frenzied
passion, its base falsehoods and scurrility,
are theirs.' How could an administration
live that would retain in confidential places
men actuated hy such deep malice towards
it, and so little scrupulous as to the means
of wreaking their vengeance? General
Tavi.or never pledged himself to retain
such men in office, and he cannot do it
and yet administer the Government safely
and successfully.
But the Union denies the power of the
Secretary of the Interior to make removals
in the (General I^and Office, and advises
its partisans and clients there to disregard
his; Inline of 1 ll_ lJ * 4 '
... .. .i. i i/. uiKimnswi, aim noia onioineir
offices. The reason we do not pretend to
understand; but we suppose it is by a sort
of divine right of Ixicofoeoism. The /air
is clear enough as to the power. The act
of 1812 creating the General Land Office,
provides that there shall be established "in
ihe Department of the Treasury an office to
>e denominated the General Land Office."
5o that the (ieneral Land Office is not a
Department, but a mere "office" or bueau
in the Treasury Department; and cn?
ts reorganization, in 183H, it remained
mbject to the control and supervision of
be Secretary of the Treasury, as decided
>y Mr. Attorney (General Butisr aftei
he passage of that act.