364 STATISTICS OF SANTA FÉ TRADE, ETC. uplands throughout all these elevated plains about the Rocky Mountains, must, in all probability, remain sterile in consequence of the extraordinary dryness of the atmosphere. Indeed, New Mexico possesses but few of those natural advantages which are necessary to a rapid progress of civilization. It is a region without a single communication by water with any other part of the world, and is imprisoned by chains of mountains extending for more than five hundred miles, except in the direction of Chihuahua from which, however, its settlements are separated by a dreary desert of nearly two hundred miles.1 "Some general statistics of the Santa Fé trade," says Dr. Gregg, "may prove not wholly without interest to the mercantile reader. With this view I have prepared the following table of the probable amount of merchandise invested in the Santa Fé trade, from 1822 to 1843 inclusive, and about the portion of the same transferred to the Southern markets (chiefly Chihuahua) during the same period; together with the approximate number of wagons, men and proprietors engaged each year: 1838 90,000 50 100 20 40,000 1839 250,000 130 250 40 100,000 Arkansas Expedition. 1842 160,000 70 120 15 90,000 1843 450,000 230 350 30 300,000 3d U. S. Escort-Ports closed."2 The following valuable geographical information is derived from a statement published by Major James Henry Carleton, United States Army, in the National Intelligencer, and is founded on the measurements made by Captain Alexander B. Dyer, with a viameter, during the march of General Kearney against New Mexico. 1 See Gregg, vol. i., chapter vii. 2 * Gregg, vol. ii., p. 160. NOTE. The boundary line between the United States and Mexico, leaves the Del Norte a few miles above the town of El Paso, running west towards the Gila. 'The roads by Gen. Kearney's and by Brevet Lieut. Col. Cooke's routes leave the Rio Grande for California some fifteen or twenty miles below the ford at Valverde; the former just opposite, and the latter below a point on the left bank of the river known as San Diego. |