Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/94



journey, is between the latitudes 37 and 38 deg.; so that, after striking the California Mountains, they would have to make, nearly five degrees of Southing—out of their course—in order to pass around “the Point of the Mountains;” and afterwards, to make nearly three of Northing to regain what they had lost. This would be making a circuit, of between four and five hundred miles, in order to accomplish, that, which, by a different route, might be accomplished in about two hundred. This shorter route is, however, a very steep, rugged, and difficult one; but preferable, we believe, to the other, on account of the great difference in distance. But should emigrants to into California, by the Way of Taos; or by some more Southern Pass through the Rocky Mountains, than that by which they go at the present; then will Captain Walker's Pass, be found an excellent way, into the Western portion of this country. It will, also, be of the utmost importance, to emigrants, who may be overtaken, by the rainy season; as it is seldom, if ever, obstructed by the snows, which immediately after the commencement of the rains, cover all the mountains; blocking up every other way, to such a degree, that it is extremely hazardous to attempt them. This little Valley of verdure and flowers, looks out, from its Eastern exremity, upon an arid desert, over which, in the vast scope which the eye embraces, nothing presents, save huge piles and masses of dark rock, and thirsty sands. In this region, so wonderful, and so unlike any other portion of the known world, even the foot prints of the bold trapper, have seldom disturbed the inhospitable sands. There are a few tracks in the vast region which lies between the California and Rocky Mountains, traveled at times, by the Trappers, and by the Mexican Traders; but these are rare: between them, are extensive spaces, which have never been trodden, by the foot of civilized man. Previously, this has been marked, on the otherwise very imperfect, and incorrect maps, which have been made of the countries West of the Rocky Mountains, “the unexplored region.” It was left a perfect blank; and it is strange, that in this very acknowledgment of their ignorance the map-makers have described, so accurately, what succeeding explorations have proved, to be a perfect blank. It is reasonable to suppose, that the All-Wise, has arranged every thing in nature, with perfect fitness; that there is nothing, in the great globe, which is not perfectly adapted to some proper purpose; which is not a necessary part, in this vast, harmonious machine—the Universe of God. But, as far as the eye of man,