The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 10, Ed. 1, Saturday, October 29, 1842 Page: 1 of 4
four pages : illus. ; page 15 x 22 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE NORTHERN STANDARD.
CHAS. DE MORSE
LONG SHALL OUR BANNER BRAVE THE BREEZE THE STANDARD OF THE FREE.
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
VOL. I.
CLARKSVILLE OCTOBER 29. 1842.
NO. 10
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY C. DE MORSE.
TERMS:
The Northern Standard is published every Saturday
at fire dollars per annum in ad ranee.
Adrertisemenls will be incited at one dollar per square
for the first insertion and uftjr cents Tor each Mibscquenl in-
sertion. Yearly advertisements not exceeding eight lines will be
inserted for $'20 per annum.
Not exceeding twenty lines S30 per annum.
Not exceeding fifty lines goO per annum.
Announcement of candidates for office S10 each.
Political addresses and obituary article! chtrged s adver-
tisements. Personal altercations when admissible charged double
the usual rates.
No advertisement of any description inserted unless paid
for in advance.
All letters to the Editor connected with the biKtnos of the
paper must be post paid or they u ill not bo received.
D7 Exchequer Bills received at par.
AGENTS FOR THE STANDARD.
Tkavij G. Wright P.M. Pine Creek.
SiMrn. M. Fulton P. M. Franklin Lamar Co.
William Brown Varif I.amar Co.
John R. Crddoce Pari? Lamar Co.
J. W. O. Stinfield P.M. Harrison Co.
Jmm Shelton P. M. Fort Shelton Lamar Co.
J. A. CtLmvr.Li. Warren Fannin Co.
Bailet English P. M Fort English Fannin Co:
D. Rowlett P. M. Lexington Fannin Co.
J. U. Jouett P. M. Raleigh Fannin Co.
J. J Wiluims P. M. De Kalb Bowie Co.
Gen. E. II. Taiuunt RimieCo.
Hon. Jesse GRtMEs Montgomery Co.
A. Sterne P M Nacogdoches.
Tkavis G. Buooks P. M. San Augustine.
C. R. AsrRr.w Harrison Co.
Col. Jimes Love Galveion.
James B. Shiw Esq. Houston.
Col. G. T. Wood Liberty.
John W. Harrimiv La Grange.
B. M. Johnson Washington.
Sim'i. IS. Uriuham Matagorda.
IIaldemiv. Literary Depot" Louisville Ky.
MosniN Jt Co.. Litcraiy Depot Nerr Orleans.
S. Mrsii P.M.. Fulton Ark.
Charles IIhop Evj. Wahinston. Ark.
Bcrrt ic Tanxmhi.l Nahville Tcnn.
Col. D. P. AnMsmosii Knoxvillr Tcnn.
J. E. Montgomery. Linnrille Giles County Tcnn.
L- S. IlncciiTo.v Vkksburg Mis.
Lorenzo Delano P. M. Park Hill Cherokee Nation.
James Hirrison Esq. St. Louie Mi-souri.
M. T. Locan Dover Pope Co. Arkansas.
G. C. Gooding P.M.. Fort Tonrson.
Wm. Daventort Cnddo Parish Louisiana.
From the AVir Orleans Picayune.
THE TEXAN SANTA FE EXPEDITION.
BY GEORGE W. KENDALL.
(Continued.)
A Damp Day and Damper Clothes Carlos a Mex-
ican detailed for the Spy Company Meeting
vithaparty of Wakoes Beautiful Appearance
of then Village Preparations for entering it
Its desertion by the Inhabitants ifc. tj-c.
The morning of the 4 h of August was cloudy
witb a drizzling rain compelling us to start without a
chance to dry our blankets or wet clothes. To the
right the dim outline or a belt of timber was seen
which all supposed to be tho skirting of Red River.
A Mexican named Carlos a native of Taos in New
Mexico and who was attached to one of :he compan-
ies stated that he had trapped up and down the.above
river and knew every part of it that the country
around us resembled in every respect the vicinity of
that stream atid that he had no doubt wc were now
I' close upon the Red River bottoms. So plausible
were his stories and his knowledge of the country ap-
peared so cntensive. that he was immediately transfer-
red to the spy company.
We journeyed on until about 2 o'clock in the after-
noon the sun in the meantime coming out intensely
hot when the advance guard came up with the spy
company which had halted in a small grove of trees
on the margin of a dry creek. They inlormcd Gen.
McLeod that they had met and held a conversation
with a party of Wakoes of about their otvn number
all well mounted and many of them upon large Amer
ican horses evidently stolen. One or two of the In
dians spoke Spanish and they stated that they had
teen watching our movements for several days and
wanted to ascertain whether wc came for peace or
war. They were answered that our intentions were
peaceful that we were travelling towards Santa Fe
with goods had a large force and many waggons
coining up that we were anxious to find the best
route and one that offered the most water.
These questions were answered in a sulky manner
1 ' so much so that CapL Caldwell remarked to his men
in English "that these fellows looked ugly andfigh-
ty and they must all keep an eye upon their rifles
anu be ready to rake them down upon the least war-
:n "n crC'Capl.C. or "Old Paint" as he is famil
iarly called tnC uever lvas a bettcr Indian fighter
in Texas or onethathvvs more about their "ways."
He asked them what tribe IVy belonged lo and was
answered that they were Wakoes. The Indians also
slated that there had been some two nndred Coman-
ches living with them for some time buC tfcAt neY
bad left for the Western prairies a short time furi-
ous. In addition they said that they themselves liveo
some ways offand were then out on a hunting expe-
dition. Capt C. asked them if they would ivait until
our "big chief came up as be was anxious to see
them and have a talk. They said they would return
atnightand after some farther parley galloped off
across the prairie. One or two spies were sent out
when they had dispersed to report their movements.
Thev returned in an hour and said that they had dis
covered a lartre village some five miles distant in a
northern direction situated upon the banks ofaslrcam.
J.N and from the general appearance of the country about
we should be compelled to pass wilh our waggons
directly through the town. 1 would here mention
that the Indians with whom the conversation was
held were stout fine-looking men many of them well
dressed and all mounted upon fine horses. Nearly
all of them were well armed with rifles and they had
every appearance of being troublesome customers to
deaf with.
After a short consultation it wasdelermined to send
fifty nicn ahead with a flag of truce and endeavor to
come to an amicable understanding with these Indi-
ans. This party I accompanied and weall held our-
selves in readiness in case thev should make an at
tack. The advance guard under Gen. McLeod fol
lowed at a convenient distance ready to support us
should hostilities ensue.
When within a couple of miles of their village a
beautiful spectacle Mi'Mcnly jmscntcd itself Before
us was a large and romantic valley through which a
river meandered along with just trees enough to re-
lieve the eve without concealing any of the beauties.
On the banks of the stream the village was situated.
and all around were the corn fields and melon patch
es oi me innaDuams. in ine instance o me other
side the prairie rose gently without a tree or bush to
destroy the unifoimity oi the rich carpeting of green
with which it was covered.
Suddenly a considerable party was seen dashintr
ofTto the southwest accompanied by a largedrovc of
horses. Wc were not near enough to distinguish
them but it was thought the Indians were sending off i
their women children and horses. Soon another de-
tachment although not so large as the first were seen
scampering off in the same direction and before wc
had fairly entered the outskirts of thctown a third par-
ty was discovered riding off across the prairies in a
northern course. What this all meant wc could not
understand but it was evident enough there was a
great excitement in a place which had probably been
for years a stranger to any commotion of the kind.
Mr. Van Ness and the Mexican Carlos were sent
ahead with a white flag while the main party kept
slowly but steafily on. When we reached the river
the village being in a bend on the opposite side a sol-
itary Indian was seen setting off at full speed the last
of his tribe that remained. A small party of us cross
ed the river and entered their deserted town. Every
thing bore the appearance oi an unexpected and hasty
departure. Fires were still burning and pots in which
pumpkins and squashes were being boiled were found
just as they had left them. Deer and antelope skins
sewed up and full of corn were left in their haste and
every thing betokened the unexpectedness of our ap-
proach and the suddenness of their flight.
We soon rccrosscd the river where we found the
command had arrived and encanped for the night
near a corn held. Oiders were given not to touch
any thing belonging- to the Indians and at the same
time a strong position was chosen and every prepara
tion made to guard against a night surprise from such
uncertain neighbors.
Unrealized Anticipations Description of the Wa-
koe Village Their Houses Apattmcnts for the
Young Women .4 Musical Instrument Inter-
esting Speculations Love. Mutton and Moon
shine Description of the Wakots. vith the cause
of their hostility to the Texans Departure from
their i illage A teast at Might.
Although wc anticipated that the Wakoes would
at least make an attempt to stampede or steal some of
our horses the night passed off quietly. Early in
the morning in company with two or three of our
party I visited their village on the other side of the
river. It was situated in a large and beautiful bend
some six miles long and nearly two in width the
land extremely rich and fertile.
Their wigwams or houses rather for they really
deserved that title were built in rows and had an air
of regularity and neatness I had never before observ-
ed in an Indian town. They were constructed of
poles stuck up endwise then covered with buffalo
hide and over this was a neat thatching of rushes
which rendered them perfectly impervious to rain.
They wee from twenty-five to thirty feet in height
of a conical form and about fifteen feet in diameter.
Inside were two rows of berths tastily got up. and
although the inhabitants had carried off the principal
part ot their bedding they still left enough to convince
us that they lived in much comfort and no little style.
Attached to each residence and immediately in the
rear was another building of smaller dimensions the
lower part of which was evidently used as a corn crib
and storage house. In these buildings wc found a
quantity of corn and pumpkins besides finely cured
venison antelope and buffalo meat. Above the corn
crib was a species of balcony although without a rai-
ling and this led into a small room in the second sto-
ry if I may so call it. One of the companv said that
this room wns the sleeping apartment of the young
and marriageable squaws of the family and that their
mother kept a ladder for them to climb up to it at
night and also to let them down in the morning.
This story may be true or may not I tell itas it was
told me.
Near by a musical instrument was found made of
cane and somewhat resembling a fife only that it
was much longer. It had five holes for the fingers
besides a mouth-piece something after the fashion of a
clarionet. The tones of the instrument were as soft
as those of a flageolet the workmanship extremely
neat and evincing not only ingenuity but taste and af-
ter hearing the story related above I could not help
thinking that the same instrument had while in the
hands of some Indian Borneo discoursed most elo-
quent music to some belle of the tribe who likeJuliet
would step out on her balcony and pour forth her love
and fealty to her soul's idol in return. He would
then tell of h:s burning flaming and unextinguisha-
ble passion recount to her his perilous 'scapes in
the chase talk of buffalo hunts mustangs war paths
bcaT fights corn dances and scalps while she eager
ly devours? eacn word would throw oacic volumes
of tender aflecJion tell what she would do for him
where she would go for him how she was willing to
pack meat hoc corn and do out-door work generally
besides setting up ot nights for his sake and for no
other person's sake would she do a thing. He would
then very probably drop upon one knee lay down
his lute and coniure her to fly instantly fly with
him to the nrairies iiv any where every wnere so
that she was with him and only lum. With beating
heart and Hd trembling wilh emotion she would tell
him that her mother had carried off the ladder and
that she did not dare even for his sake run the risk of
breaking her neck by clambering or jumping down.
Little skilled am I in the vocabulary of an Indian
girl's pledges of love; but as in these affairs between
parties in civilized life each one makes out as long a
cntaloguc as possible of what he oi she intends to do
in order to make the other completely happy i; is
more than probable that the case is the same among
the uncivilized children of the prairies. Love is a
very pretty theme for poets to dwell upon and many
of them have been known to iire upon it in the ab-
sence of more substantial food but there is far more
nf mnitcr-ol-Iacteven mints same love than vour sen
timents would make Us believe and niniMcnlhs of
those afflicted with it have a decided preference for
mush and mutton over moonbeams or moss banks.
especially when they arc blessed with good appetites-
and require real nourishment. So it is in cities in
towns and villages so it is in the lodges of the untu-
tored savage tribesof the West or I am much mista-
ken. But to return ro'my narrative. We spent several
hours in this pleasant village examining the houses
tools manner of cultivating the land &c. Every
thing denoted a nearer approach to civilization than
can be found in any Indian tribe in America not even
excepting the Chcrokccs and others who have had
the advantage of close proximity to the whites. Up
to the time of our visit the Wakoe village was un-
knowntothe whites the foot of the red men alone
had trod its beautiful walks. Quiet had reigned there
perhaps forccnturies. The Wakoes are a strong and
warlike people neither corrupted by associations with
the whites nor rendered weak and effeminate by the
introduction of alcchsL LV"thc ComnnoWuand
Pawnees the warriors are always on horseback but
they are every way the superiors of those tribes not
only as regards personal strength and bravery but in
their mode of living and the advancement they have
made towards civilization. In the early history of
lexasthey were at peace with the inhabitants ot that
Republic. Large hunting parties were frequently
seen within her limits and every thing went on in har
mony until an unfortunate altray occurred which in
duced them to dig up the calumet and tomahawk of
peace and since that time many have been the in
roads they have made along the northern frontiers of
Texas. I heard it stated that the white were- guilty
of bringing on this war by some act of bad faith tow-
ards the Wakoes and the wound they then received
has never been healed. From the fact of their hur-
rying off their women and children as well as their
large cavallada of horses and mules it was evident
they placed no reliance in ourstatcmenls that we came
among them with pacific intentions they had been
deceived by our men once and Indian like looked for
another violation of our words.
This village probably contained three or four hun-
dred souls and there were others up and down the riv-
er which wesawin the distance. The river we cross-
ed in the morning with our waggons and after wind-
ing through the village struck offin a course a little
south of west following up its rich and fertile bottoms.
Carlos stated confidently that it was Red River and
not enc along doubted loramomont we were upon
the banks of that stream some distance above Coffee's
upper station. The kttcr is a well known trading
house hi"h up on Red River and the place where
the different Indian tribes rendezvous to barter off
their skins for rifles blankets and ammunition.
At night we encamped upon the banks of the
stream. Although the waters of the river were brack
ish a pure and fresh spring was discovered close by.
This was used by the command but the catllc and
horses would not touch it when they could obtain the
river water.
All the spoil wc took from the Wakoe village con-
sisted of a few pumpkins ihc houses and every thing
about them were left untouched. Fine fish were
caught in the stream which 'vith our regular rations
of beef and the pumpkins wc h.ul procured in the
morning gave us a regular feast more especially
when it is recollected that we had had no vegetables
for near two months. During the day Indians were
seen scouting about on the distant hills watching our
movements but our position was a strong one and
although we anticipated no one feared the conse-
quences of anight attack farther than we might lose
some of our horses.
The Journey Resumed Visiters Description of a
Wild Horse Different Modes of Catching these
Animals TheirMcat Camping at Nighlwilh-
out Freik Water Indians seen during the day
Preparations for Guarding against a Night
Attack.
1 started with the spy company on the evening of
the 6th ol August our route lying in a course a little
south of west and a long rich and exceedingly fertile
bottoms. At times some bend of the river would bring
us close upon the banks which were lined with cotton
wood and other trees again we would find ourselves
a distance of three or four miles from the stream.
On stopping to "noon" upon the margin of a small
creek a beautiful stream overhung with grape vines
and which wound its way beneath a deep and cooling
shade to the river we were -visited by three or four
wild horses or mustangs As they approached in
the distance ever and anon stopping and throwing up
their heads to Kan us more closely wc mistook them
for Indians. Our horses were turned loose and gra-
zing upon the shortand curly musqueet grass while
we were lounging about under the shade of the trees
that bordered the stream.
It may be that they mistook our "critturs' for some
of their companions At all events they approached
within a few hundred yards' wheeling and dashing
about with all thejoyousness of unrestrained freedom
and occasionally stopping to examine our premises
more closely. The leader was a bright bay with
long glossy black tail and main. With the most dash-
ing and buoyant action he would trot around our
camp-then he would throw aloft his beautifully form-
ed head half in sport and half timidly lash bis silken
tail and shake his flowing mane in pride and eye us
with looks that Spoke plainly of his confidence in his
powers of flight should danger or treachery be lurk-
ing about I had a large and powerful Leviathan
horse gentle as a dog and one that would run all day
but I would have "strapped'' him off in a minute for
this wild horse of the nrairies without knowing any
thing of his qualities and given a handsome "boot" at
that
After gambolling about us for some little time his
bright eyes apparently gleaming with satisfaction
while showing off "his points" he suddenly wheeled
and in a canter placed himself at a more prudent dis
mnrp Then he turned a rain to take abother look
curved his glossy and beautiful neck pawed the
ground playfully and again dashed off. Several times
he turned to take still anether look at our encampment
and even in the far-offdistancc wc could distinguish
til.nrniirt nnH evmnded nostrils hisbrieht flashing
eyes and the clastic movements of his firm and sym-
metrical limbs as he playfully pranced and curvetted
nrmnt I iv.itr.hed ihcmnll until ln v were mere specks
upon the prairie but in iny admiration I took but lil-
jile notice of any save the proud bay I have more par -
ticula'ly noticul
The Indians and Mexicans have a way of catching
mustangs by running up on their fleetest and most un-
tiring horses and noosing them with the lariat or hair
rope. The white hunters have also a system which
is often successful of taking the wild horse. They
call it creating or shooting them with a rifle ball upon
a particular cord or tendon in the neck some two or
three inchesfrom thetop. If the ball lakes effect pre-
cisely in the right place the animal fails benumbed
and without the power to move for several minutes
when he is easily secured. Should it strike too low
the horse is still able to run off but ventually dies.
An attempt was made to crease the magnificent steed
I have mentioned above; but it was impossible to ap-
proach near enough to shoot with accuracy and to
have endangered his life would have bocn a crime nf
an enormity almost equal to murder in the first de-
iiiec. viiun our proiTsjoirr became . l
oflhescanimals were shot for their flesh ; butthemeat
is irmier anu nnciv
incly flavored and a three year old
lly bettcr eating than eitker buffalo or
mustang is rea
Beet CatttC.
. r .
Alter tWO llOUrS SDent VfTV nirrrmhlv in n ilin.ln
which completely screened us from the noon-day J outof harm's way for no common obstacle can check
sun we saddled up and started on.Our order of the onward career of a drove of fear-trickcn oxen
march was close and although deer and antelope Fortunately the steep bank of the river on the oppo-
werc seen close by m nearly every direction no one site side or some other cause stopped them in thHr
left tho ranks to get a shot at them on account of the mad flight and although the guard were unable to
Indians. Several of the latter were seen during the collect and herd them that night they were all found
day watching us from the distantswclls of the prairie without much trouble the next morninf
to the right and no one doubted that some of their ' What could have given them the "scare" no one
spi-'s were concealed in the vicinity of the river to our knew Some said that the cries of owls and wolvc
left where secure hiding-places were easily found .heard but a short time before tho ztamrede commenc-
Near nightfall we encamped upon the banks of the ed were but imitations bv Indians in the vicinity It is
stream and were obliged to drink the salt water of the well known that they can counterfeit the crics'of ev
river or none as no springs could be found. Anabun- ory species of animal as well as those of the winged
dance of the finest catfish were caught in the stream . inhabitants of tho air tnd frequently resort to such
the bed of which was here near one hundred yards stratagems lo gain a closer proximity to a camp than
"p- . . they would otherwise effect. Whatever it was whfc-
Agam a strong position was chosen for our camp thcr Indians or real owls and wolves that occasioned
and the guard had strict orders to keep a good look the fright among the cattle no one could say I can
out at night to prevent a surprise from the Wakoes. but admit that I took a stampede myself and in my
It was evident they were watching us at every turn half-asleep half-awake condition fIt well satisfied that
and while their fears prevented thorn from attacking I was not run over and trodden under foot.
us openly in a body they were still as is their custom I
looking out for an opportunity to stampede our hors-' The Diamond Mines ur Scmbcltore. Tha
es and cattle or pick up any little straggling party district of Sumbulpore in the East Indies is scparet-
that might wander from camp in search of water or to cd from the Golconda territory by the Ncr'budah. It
hunt. The night passed however without a visit is proverbially rich in gems is auriferous and pro-
from them and the only inconvenience felt from their duces varous ores. Notwithstanding however its
proximity tell upon our" horses for we were compell- most fabulous wealth thu valuable section of co'stlv
ed to hobble them well and stake them inside the lines ' earth has been strangely neglected. The history of
of sentinels where the grass was soon eat close to the the place is curious.
oround- The mines came into the possession of the English.
about thirty years ago. after the reduction of the fer-
Dcscription of country through which ire passed tile province of Orissa by the victorious arms of the
Arrival at a Fresh Water" River Statement of East India Company. They promised to yield a
the Mexican Carlos Great Rejoicing Out of large revenue to the company"for the traditions of the
Sugar and Coffee scarce Rainy Night Sevan-'spot described it is as a matrix of mineral wealth
adc of Oirls find Wolves Stampede of Oxen But the working of its adamantine deposits wascon-
viih other matters (ducted on so limited a scale that they yielded less than
For three days after leaving the Wakoe village was calculated upon and the company believing the
our route was along the wide and fertile bottoms of experiment to be a failure abandoned the mines'alto-
therivcr. Our course was a little south of west but gether. ButSumbulporeis one of the cceded districts
Doing coaiment mat we were on thu banks ot Red
River it was thought from day today that the stream
woutu turn oti more to the north.
On the opposite or south side of the river the coun-
try had been ragged and broken up by hills on the
side we were travelling nothing could be seen but a
boundless and unbroken prairie with naught to des-
troy its sameness save here and there a light fringing
of trees bordering the banks of the smaller creeks arid
"t !! I t "
eflecttd a crossing. For miles up and down the banks
were high and precipitous and our Mexican Carlos
immediately set it down as the Rio Utau a stream
upon which he stated that he had often trapped and
what appeared still more plausible that at the very
place we had crossed he said the Mexican hunters
had frequently crossed before with their carts loaded
with dry bufftlo meat.
There really was every appearance of an old wag-
gon road when wc reached tho opposite side of the
river and ifany one had previously doubted the state-
ments of Carlos those doubts were now set at rest
He said that he was as well acquainted with the coun-
try round as he was with his mother's door-yard and
informed us of the country ahead with a plausibility
that convinced us all he was perfectly ''at home."
Hcsaid that the Argasturas or Narrowsof Red riv-
er were distant only some seventy miles and that the
same distance beyond would bring us to the Mexican
ranches or farms in the immediate vicinity of the fron-
tier towns of San Miguel
Placing confidence as we did in his reports it is
needless to say that all was joy and congratulation in
camp that evening. Our beef the only thing in the
shape of provision a!on:r bejan to get extremely poor
from the fatiguing marches and want of grass and wa-
ter. Our sugar was all gone and although our cof-
fee still held out wc were too near the bottom of that
great luxury to expect it would last much longer. In-
dependent of this many of us began to think in earn-
est that btead if not the staffof life offered at least a
very comfortable support. Wc still had our regular
allowance three pounds of beef a day but it was
greatly inferior in comparison with the simc allow-
ance we had on first starting and this inferiority now
began to be felt seriously. As I have intimate! before
however all was joy ami gladness in camp at tho good
news of our near approach to the sittlcincnt? and it
was thought 'hat twenty days at farthest would bring
tuto the ti-h vhst and -0rn fields as well as the
nvuicis wnicn rising in me prairies to me north garrison ior me accommodation ot a regiment of na-
found their way to the river after meandering tive troops as an auxiliary force to the Nagpore mili-
miles along cool and secluded paths. Straggling tary division but the climate was found to be so ex-
grape vines had crossed these streams by means of the trcmely unfavorable to the European officers corn-
tree tops the limbs of which had bent over as though I manding the regiment that it was deemed expedient
to commune and shake hands with each other and on the part of the local government of Bengal to
the whole formed a cool and delicious arbor from withdraw them from the station; since which period
whence ever and anon the deer would jump up at Sumbulpore has been with one solitary exception
our approach frightened from his noon-day siesta j represented by agentlcman who conducts an indigo
We left our salt-water camp early in the morning factory and the manufacture of shell lac and lac dye
the spies starting in advance in search of the best road. I The largest diamond recorded to have been found
Soon the country ahead appeared more broken and i within the lasttwehty-onc years was by mere accident
before the middle of the day the hills and gullies we picked up by a private "Spahi" from the sands of the
encountered almost impeded the farther progress of ''Mahanuddce" He wasaccordingtoihe Hindoo cus
the waggons. After a tedious and fatiguing march torn performing his matutine ablutions in the stream
we at length reached the borders of a small river of1 contiguous to the fort when his attention was attracted
fresh water and having travelled a short distance we ' to the dazzling prize by its specular and refactory
1 sheep folds of New Mexicp. Far different would
have been our feelings had we bur anticipated the suf
ferings yet in storefor us. Had wc known that four
or five hundred miles of dreary travelling was still be-
fore us and that hunger and thirst lo say nothing of
hostile Indians in great numbers were in our front
we should not have taken to our blankets with that
buoyancy and elasticity of spirit noticeable among all
that night.
We had hardly finished our scanty and homelv
supper beforea drizzling rain commenced which be-
fore dark increased into a heavy shower. Wc were
encamped in a grove of trees within thirty yards of
the river and a flock of hootinir and screechine owls
appeared to have taken up their lodging in the more
distant parts of the grove. As an accompaniment r
pack ot sneaking wolves were howling hideously
around our ramp and in the midst of this rascally
conccrtour oxen who were quietly feeding upon the
nrairies close by took a stampede and cams rushin"
ma Jly towards U3. The tirh fnirlr tremkUl ae thr.v
came thundering along rnanv of them wilh their
yokes still on and all impressed with an indescribable
I Dnic I tnnfc- In I trn o ... ...I... -I r. j
i r - -ww.. .; ia m.c tit um.t. ui luiuuj tmmuercu
linn Qtnill .- nl.'r Jl L.l .- .?--. ir
that has never yet been faithfully explored.
The fort of Sumbulpore is of Mahratta construc-
lion the bastions of which are laved by the waters of
the " Mahanuddce" which signifies mighty stream
tne latter deriving its source from thecondensing hills
coronettcd by vast forests which in their colossal
range intersect the central provinces of Hindostan.
The fort within the last nine months has fallen into
decay. Some thirty years ano it was occupied as a
i
cflu.gency. I his adamant weighed six and one third
of a carat and illustrated itself a gem of the first wa
ter.
Until within the last eight years the East India
Company entertained a resident agent within the pro
vince whose privilege it was to visit the mines once
in the year and to collect sort and class according
to their weights and complexions such adamantine
gems as had been procured during ihc operative sea-
son. The assortment was annually dispatched by a
trusty "dwak waller" (a native courier) to the sccrcta
ry in the territorial department in Calcutta. But the
specimens delivered into the hands of the agent were
inconsiderable in number and in value and ii was on
this account that the East India Company dropped
llicadamantincspcculation. The gems nevertheless
were of surpassing purity It is utterly impossible
for a person who has not visited the Sumbulpurc
mines to say what ihcy might not be made to yield
but it is obvious they arc extremely rich. The "Ma
hanuddec" during the hot dry months is fordablc on
foot its waters not exceeding in some parts two feet
in depth .It is prolific in rubies topazes aymethysts
cornelians and a variety of the quartz and agate fain
lties. Alter tne ircsnets or torrents nave suosiaeu.
the native inhabitants ot the valley go in search cf
the gems which the mountain currents have convey-
ed from the ravines into the river these lapidoss com-
modities find their way ultimately into the large towns
and cities of Hindostan.
Ten years ago a gentleman of the Bengal army
came over to this country with a view of impressing
on the minds of the East India Company the ndvanla
ges that might arcnre to them by effectually working
these mines a? well as thoseof Bnndlecand ; but they
declined proceeding farther in the speculation. He
brought over with him some very valuable adaman-
tine gems which he had collected in each locality
but his views were not encouraged by the Companv
nr.d th? irvties luvc since fillrti ip'.o utor neglect
k .
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 10, Ed. 1, Saturday, October 29, 1842, newspaper, October 29, 1842; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80461/m1/1/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.