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Show STANSBURY'S REPORT. CHAPTER L • FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH TO FORT KEARNY. - Washington, March 10, 1852. GOLONBL JOHX J. ABERT, Chief of Bureau of Topographical Engineer*. SIR :- I have the honour to submit to the Bureau of Topographical ifngineers the following report of the results of an expedition, organized in obedience to your orders of April 11, 1849, having for its object a survey of the Great Salt Lake, and an exploration of its valley. Your instructions required me to report to the commanding officer of the regiment of Mounted Rifles, at Fort Leavenworth, on the 10th of May following, and directed me to accompany those troops on their route to Oregon as far as Fort Hall, at which point I was to separate from the command and prosecute the examinations required. Owing to causes beyond my control, and of which the bureau is already aware, I did not reach Fort Leavenworth until after the departure of the Rifle Regiment from that post, and was consequently obliged to make such change in my arrangements as the circumstances required. The necessary outfit and provisions were obtained from the proper departments of the army, and the party enlarged and well armed, to enable it to protect itself from any danger or depredatioii to which it might be exposed from tribes of roving or hostile Indians. I wish here to express my obligation to Colonel Sumner, the commanding officer at Fort Leavenworth, and to the quartermaster, Major • Ogden, & s well for the prompt a; nd efficient aid rendered by them as for the kind interest they evinced in the success of the expedition. Every facility was cheerfully accorded, and every thing conducive- to our, comfort most liberally supplied. We were much delayed, however, by the heavy drafts made upon the resources 18 |