have as yet been initiated into the secrets of Vauban. The Sioux and Pawnees are still actively employed in taking each other's scalps, running off horses, and other amusements incidental to Indian life. The last foray was made by the Pawnees, a few days since, in which they stole twenty-five horses. They were incited to this by the Sioux having left, a short time before, one band, the Pawnee Loups, entirely on foot. This is a war of twentyfive years standing between these two tribes, and in all probability will continue until one is exterminated. The Sioux are the best warriors but the Pawnees are decidedly the best thieves. Everything they rub against appears to stick to them as if attracted by a powerful magnet. This property is not confined to the "canaille" of the tribe but shows itself even among the first families. The entire Pawnee nation has just swept over us on its way to the hunting grounds on the Blue, and scarcely a single light movable article is left behind. A second such visit would ruin us, as clothes are difficult to be had in this part of the country. One of the gentlemen of the post invited one of the first families to be seated in his room for a short time, and when they left he found himself poorer by several shirts, towels, handkerchiefs, combs, &c., &c., than when they entered, and this too after having made them several presents. The Missionaries turned their attention to these fellows some time ago; but after laboring ten years without making a single convert, and having most of their small things stolen, they retired from the field with disgust-leaving the Pawnees to work out their own salvation. Old Si-re-cher-ish has been turned loose, and is again at his old amusements of killing Sioux and hunting buffalo.

It might appear strange that we should leave here before being regularly relieved, but our contract with the Government terminated with the termination of war, and we conceive that they have no right to retain us longer. We were willing to allow a sufficient time to expire for

troops to reach here, but none have come, and not a word has been received for months, to indicate that they knew that we were in the service. So we have concluded to go home and draw our $15 or $20,000 [$20.00?] a month, and wait with what patience we can muster the pleasure of those whose duty it is to discharge us. With such an arrangement, should they be inclined to retain us in the service for the five years, I think the most of us will be satisfied. The only objection would be the trouble it would give us to go to Fort Leavenworth for our pay. Possibly, in consideration for our past services the Paymaster would be sent round to our homes; however on this point we will not disagree.

Everything here indicates an early winter. Although several heavy frosts have fallen, and not many days will elapse before the fall fires will eat up what little grass still remains on the prairies. Governor Lane has not yet made his appearance. Should he attempt to cross the mountains this fall, some one will doubtless have the pleasure of digging him out of its gorges next spring.

Should anything turn up here between this time and spring, such as a fight, the arrival of a relief or anything else of such an unlooked for nature, you shall be duly apprised.

Yours, &c.

NEBRASKA.

P. S. Mr. Culbertson and party from St. Louis passed here on the 1st for Fort Laramie. Some two hundred wagons passed down yesterday on the opposite side of the Platte, from the valley of the Salt Lake. They are going to the frontiers for a fresh load of Mormons for the happy Valley. It is understood that so soon as a sufficient number of the faithful reach Salt Lake, that they intend to apply for a Territorial Government. The movement, I think will be made next year.

MORMONS

Nov. 8, 1848. The steamer Grand Turk, on her last trip from New Orleans, brought up 225 English emigrants, destined for Salt Lake. It is said that between 300 and 400 more are coming from Liverpool on the John Prince.

Nov. 10. "The Battalion under Colonel Powell is still at Fort Leavenworth, but will be paid off and discharged during the present week."'

Nov. 25. Under date of "Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Nov. 16, 1848," notes that "The Oregon battalion of Missouri Mounted Volunteers have been mustered out of service and paid. Today the last detachment, under command of Lt. Lefaivre [First Lieutenant Aut. Lefaivre], arrived from Fort Childs, having been relieved by Captain Ruff's command of Mounted Riflemen. This command reached Fort Childs twelve days after leaving this post which at this season of the year is considered a quick trip."

Dec. 19. "The escort from Company C, Mounted Regiment, which left Fort Leavenworth for Fort Childs, was unable to cross the Missouri at Fort Kearny on account of its being blocked with ice. It had in charge a quantity of clothing and ammunition for Capt. Ruff's command, and accompanied Dr. Fullwood, U. S. A., to Fort Kearny, enroute for Fort Childs."

SOUTH PASS

Feb. 17, 1849. Colonel Benton, in a speech in the senate on a central road to the Pacific, said that the South Pass "was discovered precisely forty years ago by the hunters. . . ."

March 20. A Westport correspondent, March 13, says oxen can be bought there for California outfit at $45 to $50 a yoke; mules (Mexicans which are preferable),

$50 to $55 per head; wagons about the same as at St. Louis; all kinds of provisions were obtainable there.

FOR CALIFORNIA

April 11, 1849. Independence, April 6, 1849. About 1000 emigrants were there enroute, every state in the Union except Delaware and Texas represented among them, the most from Ohio. There were fifty-one in a party from Cincinnati, with ten wagons, twenty tents, and five marquees. Two of the wagon bodies made of sheet iron for occasional use as boats; 200 lbs. of bread and 28 lbs. of bacon for each man and provisions for twelve months after their arrival, had been shipped via Cape Horn.

April 18. From St. Joseph, April 10. There is great fear that the large numbers going will destroy grass; so companies will go in parties barely large enough for protection.

TRANSPORTATION TO CALIFORNIA

April 23. Mentions the teams and wagons of the "Pioneer Line" of St. Louis, a permanent public means of conveyance from the Missouri to the Pacific, at a cost of $200 per passenger; well equipped and experienced conductors.

STEAMBOATS

April 27. Bay State, Haydee, Sacramento, and Timour as high as St. Joseph; Tamerlane, for "Ft. Kearny" and Council Bluffs; Alton, for Weston, St. Joseph and Fort Kearny; Carson, for Glasgow and Cambridge; Julia, as high as Glasgow.

April 29. The supply of oxen and mules at Independence on the 20th exceeded the demand.

FOR CALIFORNIA

May 2. About 3000 emigrants for California had arrived at St. Joseph up to April 25. Roads in every di

rection were lined with wagons from the lower counties of Missouri, and from Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. A majority of these intend moving leisurely as far as Fort Kearny (old) and Council Bluffs and there make their final start. Roads from Independence, St. Joseph, Fort Kearny and Council Bluffs connect at Grand Island.

May 9. St. Ange, San Francisco, and Algoma as high as St. Joseph; Martha, Missouri River; St. Joseph, and Mustang for Ft. Kearny and Council Bluffs; Lightfoot, for Council Bluffs.

The Stansbury expedition to Salt Lake has been organized, by Colonel J. J. Abert; now being fitted out in St. Louis.

CALIFORNIA CONGESTION AND CHOLERA

May 12. Two ferry boats running all day and most of the night at St. Joseph could not carry all the waiting emigrants. The steamboats Highland Mary and Sacramento were assisting. Toll, five dollars, and even as high as ten, for one wagon and team.

There is cholera at Independence and Kansas, and both places are almost deserted. Six or seven deaths at Kansas on the 9th,-thirty-five on the steamer Mary between St. Louis and a point a little above Kansas, and seven or eight on the Kansas as far as Independence. At Jefferson City the Monroe was laid up and nearly, if not quite, deserted by passengers, officers and crew.

May 17. From Independence, May 13. At least 14,000 persons have arrived at their various places of rendezvous and are ready, or have moved, for the plains.

KANSAS CITY

The little town of Kansas, three miles from Westport, last week all business, is now nearly depopulated. Business is wholly suspended; cause, death of thirteen persons Friday and Saturday last.

Westport is so far spared.