OCR Text |
Show 4 killed each other, and broken up-some, from their bad conduct have been driven from their companies--many of these men are scattered over the road, without means, living on the charity of others-they, also, steal and commit other depredations, which they endeavor to lay upon the Indians. The truth is, this portion of the emigration, and these pretended traders, are decidedly worse than the Indians, and cause nearly, if not all the troubles on the road. It is the universal opinion of the emigrants that the Indians have been quiet, and have acted friendly throughout-and that all the depradations are the acts of the white men-these, however, have been few. In getting up this expedition, as I have previously informed you, I was advised to do so by Gov. Young, who afterwards refused to render me any assistance whatever. I have also informed you of his conduct in relation to the whole matter. I have used the utmost economy, in every respect-I was compelled to purchase some horses for the expedition, but these I shall be able, after recruiting them a little, to sell at cost, or nearly so. I lost three-one got crippled, which I had to leave, another gave out, and one failed, so as to be unable to travel home, and I sold him for little or nothing. To some expense, as soon as I arrived in Carson Valley I discharged as many of my men as I could spare-keeping only a sufficient number to answer the purpose of herding and guarding the horses, etc. Not having time to make a detailed report of my operations by this mail, I merely write to inform you of my success, and my arrival in this city. In my September report, I shall give you a full account of all matters, and have no doubt but the success of the expedition, as well as the expenditures, will meet the approbation of the department. For judging |