OCR Text |
Show __3__ The entire section of country herein described Desertwaste-is known to be a desert waste, devoid of water, and vegetation, owing to which it presents a great barrier to travel, and transportion, on the most approved route of land communication between the Atlantic and Pacific. From surveys ordered by the General Govern- ^jftion0 ment, the fact became apparent that a portion of the above-described section of country was relatively lower than the Colorado River, and consequently can be subjected to irrigation from that source; and further, the "Geological Report" of the same survey, established the fact that this portion of country is barren and sterile, simply for the want of water, and in proof of the correctness of both reports, it may be cited, that a portion of the above-described section is subject to overflow from the Colorado River, and after such overflow the lands immediately adjacent thereto are clothed with rich and luxuriant growth of grass and vegetation. The overflow, however, is of unfrequent occurrence, there having been but one within the recollection of the population of California, which was in June, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine. It is proposed, by the State, that in the event ^ of approval and concurrent action of Congress, to cause to be constructed a proper system of hydraulics, a series of canals traversing through all the practicable portion of this sterile waste, and thus not only remove the existing impediments to travel and transportation, but cause the desert to yield to the wants of man her latent, |