The Daily Union

California—Arrangements We are indebted to Col. McClemore for the following interesting letter of Senator Borland, of Arkansas, with its various enclosures. We hasten to lay them before our readers: Washington, February 2, 1849. Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiries concerning the emigrating party from Arkansas to California, which will set off about the 1st of April next, I herewith enclose you a communication from the Adjutant General, covering a copy of a letter of instructions to General Arbuckle, with which he has been kind enough to furnish me. From this, you will see that an escort of troops has been ordered to accompany this party, at least as far as Santa Fe. In connexion with this expedition, also, as you will see, an officer of topographical engineers has been ordered to make a reconnoissance of the route travelled, and to report, &c. I need not remark upon the advantages this action of the government will confer upon the expedition—in affording security to all who may desire to avail themselves of this opportunity to visit our farthest western possessions. But the great benefit to the country I anticipate from the movement is the settlement, in great part, at least, of the mooted question, Which is the shortest and best route to California? Herewith I send you, also, slips from the Fort Smith Herald, consisting of an editorial of that paper, and the circular of the leaders of the emigrating party. These, I doubt not, will be read with interest by all who desire to go to California; and I assure you the statements, alike of the editorial and the circular, may be confidently relied upon. I will add, that at this time, and from this until late in the spring or summer, Fort Smith is entirely accessible on steamboats of good size and excellent accommodations, by way of the Arkansas river. To this add the estimate of only one hundred days for the overland travel from Fort Smith to San Francisco, which I consider very reasonable, and it will be found that this route already compares favorably, as to time, with any other proposed route. And when the certainty and safety of this expedition, together with the salubrity of the country and climate through which it will pass, are further considered, its advantages and inducements to emigrants strike the mind in admirable contrast with those of any and every other. The trip from almost any portion of the eastern or middle States to Fort Smith can be made with entire convenience and comfort on steamboats and railroads within three weeks at farthest. Thus, only one hundred and twenty days or four months will be sufficient to place the emigrant, from the most distant point in the United States, at San Francisco; and that, too, over a route which, for safety, certainty, and freedom from disease, has no rival. Who would expect to reach San Francisco by way of the isthmus of Panama, now regarded as the most expeditious and almost the only route, within a time much shorter than I have estimated for the other? especially when the almost inevitable delay at Panama, waiting for transportation, is considered; and encountering, at the same time, the discomforts and perils of a sea-voyage for a distance of at least fifteen hundred miles, even from New Orleans to Chagres, and about double that distance from Panama to San Francisco—to say nothing of the hazards of the general insalubrity of the tropics to unacclimatized persons, and the particular pestilential atmosphere of Chagres—and leaving out of the account the troublesome and expensive travel across the isthmus. The Fort Smith route is free from all these very serious, and, to many persons, insuperable objections; while over the more northern overland route from Independence, heretofore generally travelled, to Santa Fe, it has the very important and desirable advantages of a shorter distance by about 100 miles—of an earlier season (for grass upon the prairies) of about three weeks—of supplies of corn and other provisions for about 200 miles on the way—and of an abundance of wood and water the whole distance. As I have received many letters of inquiry similar to your own from various portions of the country, and as a press of business puts it out of my power to answer them, you may, if you think proper, make this, with its enclosures, public, for the information of all who may desire such information as it conveys. I am, very respectfully and truly, yours, SOLON BORLAND Col. Jno. C. McCLEMORE, Washington city. Adjutant General's Office, January 23, 1849. Dear Sir: The Secretary of War, having referred to this office your communication of the 10th instant, requesting an escort of dragoons for a party of citizens of Arkansas, who design proceeding to Santa Fe in April next, I have the pleasure to enclose you a copy of a letter of instructions of this date, addressed to Brevet Brigadier General Arbuckle, by which you will see that the War Department has fully complied with your request. I am, dear sir, very truly yours, R. JONES. Hon. S. BORLAND, U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Jan. 23, 1849. General: Senator Borland of Arkansas has stated to the Secretary of War that a party of citizens of that State are desirous, some to emigrate and others to trade in the Territories of New Mexico and California, provided that the party be protected by a military escort. The plan proposed is, for such citizens, as may be desirous of making the exploration, to rendezvous early in April at Fort Smith or Van Buren, and proceed to Santa Fe, along the valley of the Canadian river, &c. The Secretary of War being anxious to obtain information with respect to this route, as well as desirous of affording proper facilities for such explorations as the one contemplated, and with a view of opening new avenues for emigration to our newly-acquired territory, he deems it expedient to authorize the desired protection; and you are accordingly requested to organize a suitable escort to accompany the party as far as Santa Fe. As you have no dragoons at this time within your department, a detachment of one officer and thirty men from company F, at Fort Scott, has been ordered to report to you in person. Inform the citizens of Fort Smith at what time the troops will be in readiness to move. It is intended that an officer of topographical engineer shall accompany the detachment, to make a reconnoissance of the route, report, &c. Enclosed herewith you will receive special orders (No. 6) of this date, making the details referred to. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient serv't, R. JONES, Adj't Gen. Bvt. Brig. Gen. M. ARBUCKLE, Comd'g 7th Mil. Dept., Fort Smith, Arkansas. Accompanying Enclosures. EMIGRANTS TO CALIFORNIA.—We call the attention of individuals and companies in the various States of the Union, who are preparing to proceed to California, to the circular of the Fort Smith Company, in a subsequent column. We have now a plenty of water in our river, offering a fine opportunity for forwarding freight without delay to the rendezvous at Fort Smith.—Arkansas Democrat, Dec. 8. '48. From the Fort Smith Herald. Ho! FOR CALIFORNIA.—We publish below a copy of a circular, which has been issued on a letter sheet, by the agents of the company making up for California. The great amount of letters received on the subject it was found impossible to answer; therefore it was deemed the best plan to send forth the circular, and embrace in it all of the necessary information that might be thought requisite. For the information of the public, we would state that this place, Fort Smith, has between five hundred and a thousand inhabitants, and that it is steadily increasing in population. Buildings are going up constantly. The military post at this place is in no way connected with the town, but lies without its corporate limits, partly in the State and partly in the Choctaw nation. In regard to business, perhaps no place within the limits of this State of the same amount of population, can boast of doing as much in the way of trade. There are several wholesale mercantile houses, besides a large number of retail stores. All are doing well and although the past season has been one of unprecedented dullness in consequence of the low stage of water in the river, which has prevented several of the merchants from receiving their goods, yet business has been, and continues, brisk. Mechanics of every trade, almost, may be found here. There are a number of blacksmith and wagon-maker shops, where work is done as well and as cheap as at any other point in the western country. Carpenters are all busily engaged in the building of houses; and here we would remark, that one evidence of the prosperity of Fort Smith, is, that vacant houses cannot be found sufficient to meet the demand of those who wish to rent. Provisions can be purchased as cheap here as at any other place in the United States, not excepting Cincinnati or St. Louis. The persons wishing to unite with the company for California will see at once that in starting from this place every necessary for an outfit may be procured at very low prices, and the transportation will thus be saved. Even horses, mules, oxen, wagons, &c., may all be purchased here on very reasonable terms. We had some conversation a few days ago with a gentleman (Mr. Thomas Aird) on the subject of the California expedition. Mr. A. is an intelligent man, and is engaged in trade among the Creeks and Seminoles, about 180 miles from this town, on Gregg's trace. He states that the road from this place to his trading-house is good, and, with a little work, it might be made a first-rate road; and that those Indians have a large surplus of corn and beef, which could be purchased very low prices, and the whites. This route is settled about 200 miles, and there produce is plain wagon road for that distance within four hundred miles of Santa Fe and Albuquerque which latter place is on the direct way to California. We would invite all those persons who are intending to emigrate to the delightful and healthful region of California to come this way, and unite with the company now forming here, which is increasing in numbers daily; and we can assure them with certainty that they will find this the shortest and best route, affording accommodations that can be found on no other. Our information is obtained