The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, July 1925 - April, 1926 Page: 213
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From Texas to California in 1849
have been that we had provisions enough to have lasted us, with
care, for twelve months.56 Eternity itself can only tell the great
good that Neighbors and Ford have done for the human family in
reviewing and describing this road. It is now one of the best
roads I ever saw in all my life. The only object Mr. Neighbors
feared was the Guadalupe Mountains. My command was the first
that ever crossed them, and on the next day there was forty-five
wagons crossed without any difficulty, and since that time, from
what we can learn, more than one hundred more. The fifty thou-
sand dollars appropriated by the Government for the opening of
the road57 we think we are entitled to, whether we get it or not.
I will further say in praise of my command that they have done
their duty, and they are the only company that has come half this
way united. We expect to remain here a few days. There are
many applications of other companies, or parts of companies, to
join us. We could be five hundred strong if we would receive them.
My men are gentlemen and easily controlled. We made no dis-
covery worthy of attention in Texas, and we are now about 250
miles from the mouth of the Preator River.58 We intend testing
""Another company is in process of organization at LaGrange for
California. They will take the overland route through Texas. The com-
pany will consist of about one hundred persons, and will positively leave
LaGrange on the first day of May. They will have military organization.
Each squad of five men will be required to have a good two-horse wagon
drawn by four mules or horses, with at least two extra mules for the
following outfit: 2 sheets of sheet iron 30 inches wide and 6 feet long if
possible; half dozen long handled shovels; half dozen spades; 2 spike
mattocks; 1 weeding hoe; 1 chopping axe; 1 hatchet; 1 handsaw; 1 draw-
ing knife; augurs; 1 frow; 1 iron wedge; extra horse shoes and nails;
shoeing tools; 500 pounds of bacon; 200 pounds of coffee; 125 pounds of
flour; 100 pounds of salt; 50 pounds of rice; the means of carrying at
least 10 gallons of water; medicine, clothing, etc., in all making about
1600 pounds. Each man must be provided with a good gun, and at least
one pistol, and bowie or butcher knife. Every five persons must likewise
carry five pounds of powder and forty pounds of lead. 100 is the number
to which the company is limited. Companies of five persons may report
to Capt. John Murchison at LaGrange, where they will register for the
expedition." Texas Democrat, March 31, 1849.
5"It had been rumored before this party left LaGrange that the Govern-
ment had appropriated $50,000 for opening a road from the Gulf of
Mexico to El Paso. Telegraph, April 12, 1849.
"The following story from the diary of Emory, in House Executive
Documents, 30 Cong., 1 Sess., p. 66, no. 41, was freely circulated in Texas,
and it is to this story that reference is made:
"As the story goes, the Priete flows down from the mountains, freighted
with gold. Its sands are said to be full of this precious metal. A few
adventurers, who ascended the river hunting bever, washed the sands at
night, when they halted, and were richly rewarded for their trouble.213
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, July 1925 - April, 1926, periodical, 1926; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117141/m1/233/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.