.MTIwNw.OTMyOTU

for the Teams from either way are pretty well used up by the time it is reached here should be located a first class Ranch and guarded by a body of US troops or rather 25 Volunteers paid by government what would be worth More to the traveler and Emigrant than all the troops now at fort Union. here then the Traveler could rest and recreate & replenish his stock and then prosecute his journey with success, 12 good Men well acquainted with Indian Manners & habits can do More real good in fort Union than the present costly establishment. Travelers and Emigrants then might feel some security in travelling. Will U.S. ever look into this matter and do something for the Emigrants We found the Arkansas River at the crossing wide and shallow with a good ford. the water at this point is spread over a wide space with a depth of from 6 inches to a foot - and a slow sluggish current. the River here was not one third the size it is in Kanyon City the waters seems to have been lost in the Sand. or taken up by evaporation in its course from that place to this. here we saw large Caravans on their way up to fort Wise, which is now in the course of erecting and [?] it is difficult to See. the Object of his Establishment if it is intended to protect the Arkansas Rout from the incursions of the Camanches & Kiowas, the removal of Fort Union to a point on the Rabbit-Ear would be far a better guard and as the northern Indians are now on friendly Terms with the Whites (that is the tribes between the Platt & Arkansas) Fort Reilly is certainly enough to Supervise them. Fort Garland Should be able to see to the [?Rotoon?] Mountains Whilst Fort Union could prevent the Kiowas & Comanches from troubling the north. The Rabbit Ear is the trail by which we reach the north taking then a detour to the left they pass up the Rotoon Mountains between forts Union & Wise, whilst fort Union guards the Arkansis plains of the Rio del nort far from the