Arkansas State Gazette

From the Fort Smith Herald, July 10th.

The Arkansas Route to California
ARRIVAL OF THE COMPANIES AT SANTA FE
No Trouble from the Indians-Good Health of the Emigrants-Abundance of Grass and Supplies for the Road-The Arkansas Route by the great National Road, superior to all others-no Guide needed; and Companies of any size can travel upon it at all seasons, with safety and dispatch!-

We have just seen and conversed with Mr. Joseph Merrill, who is right from Santa Fe. He came in with Lt. Buford. They came along the Independence road to the trace made by Capt. L. Evans' company from Washington county and the Cherokee Nation. The trace strikes at a point on the Independence road where they have set up a stone, upon which is written: "300 miles from Fayetteville."

Mr. M. informs us that he saw several of the companies at Santa Fe and in the neighborhood, that had gone through on the Fort Smith Route. The Knickerbocker, Helena, and all the other companies, said the route up the south side of the Canadian, to Santa Fe, was the best natural road they had ever seen in any part of the world. The companies were all healthy, and their animals in good order; in fact, one of the New York companies said their mules had fattened on the road. The Fort Smith company with the escort were looked for daily when Mr. M. left. It will be recollected that the Knickerbocker and Helena company left this place several days before the Fort Smith company. They undoubtedly have gone farther South, and may perhaps not go to Santa Fe, but strike the Rio Grande about Socorro, 150 miles south of Santa Fe. Mr. Merrill says there is no difficulty in going to Socorro from this place, and it is almost as near Santa Fe, besides being on a direct route, or immediately on Col. Cook's road. The grass he says is much better on Col. Cook's route and along down the Rio Grande, than in the neighborhood of Santa Fe and on the other route. The emigrants had not the least difficulty with the Indians, though in the midst of them for several days, but they appeared very friendly and willing to trade. Some of the emigrants were selling off their wagons and going with packs-some through the mountains north of Santa Fe, others through by Cooke's route, which he, Mr. M., considers by far the best, have fewer and less difficult difficulties to encounter than on any other-grass and provisions being abundant.