These live in fixed habitations, constructed of wood, and coated with earth, in a conical form, much like Pawnee huts.
The condition and character of these tribes present most flattering inducements for missionary enterprise; and, should efforts for their amelioration be put forth by
zealous and devoted men, (and meet with no counteracting opposition from the united influence of the Mexican Government and the narrow minded bigotry of an intolerant clergy and priest-ridden people,) a glorious fruition of their most sanguine hopes might soon be expected.
There are no settlements of either whites or Mexicans, to my knowledge, throughout the whole extent of this territory. Indians may, therefore, be considered its only inhabitants, other than the strolling parties of trappers and traders that now and then travel it, or temporarily establish themselves within its limits. Of course then the Eastern Division of Upper California must be considered without a people or a government.
The Rio Colorado rises in the U. S. territory about lat. 42° 30' north, interlocking with the head waters of the Columbia, Missouri, Platte, and Arkansas, and empties into the Gulf of California near lat. 32° north. Following its windings it is some twelve or fifteen hundred miles in length. This stream with its numerous tributaries is the only river worth naming in Eastern California, and, to a great extent, serves to water that country. Owing to the rapidity of its current and its frequent falls and cascades, the navigation is entirely destroyed, till within about one hundred miles of its mouth, at the head of tide water; from this on no further interruption occurs, and the depth is sufficient for vessels bearing several hundred tons burthen.
The Gila is properly a river of Sonora, though commonly regarded as the northern boundary of that province. It rises in the Sierra de los Mimbros, near lat. 33° 25' north, long. 106° 15' west from Greenwich, and pursues a west-southwesterly course till it discharges itself into the Bay of the Colorodo, at lat. 32° 15' north, long. 114° 27' west.
Its whole length is about eight hundred miles, for most of which distance navigation is impracticable, with the exception of some forty miles or more at its mouth.
These two rivers are said to afford immense quantities of fish, especially near their confluence with the Gulf of California.
The Gulf also contains a large variety and exhaustless supplies of the finny tribe, together with several species of the crustaceous and testaceous order. Among the last named are lobsters, crabs, clams, and oysters.
Oysters are very numerous and of an excellent quality, including in variety the genuine mother pearl. A small trade in the shells of the pearl oyster is carried on with the Arapahos, Chyennes, and Sioux, by the Spaniards, which yields a very large profit, —a single shell frequently bringing from six to eight robes. These Indians make use of them for ear-ornaments, and exhibit no little taste in their shape and finish.
The eastern section of Upper California is accessible by land as well as sea from several feasible passes. through the mountain ranges forming its eastern boundary.
The best land routes for waggons from the United States is through the South Pass, —hence, to the Great Salt Lake by Bear river valley, —thence
