The march of Coronado having for its immediate object the discovery of Quivira began at Cicuye. This pueblo had been by many identified with the ruins of Pecos. If we accept Mr. Dellenbaugh’s location of Tiguex, the village of Cicuye was far south of the Pecos ruin. The direction from … Read more
Many of the causes of the situation which developed in Louisiana during its detention by Spain lay far back in the history of the country. The Floridas (East Florida and West Florida) were established by Great Britain in the Proclamation of October 7, 1763, defining the British colonies in America. … Read more
he prospect that France would establish a colonial empire in America was not pleasing to the United States. To counteract its influence Jefferson believed it would be necessary to form a close alliance with Great Britain. For France was then at the zenith of her power. She did not take … Read more
The most romantic enterprise connected with the Oregon Trail was the Pony Express. It was the conception of Senator Gwin, of California. In 1859, the only Overland Mail to California was by the Butterfield RouteĀfrom St. Louis and Memphis to Fort Smith; thence to El Paso; thence to Los Angeles, … Read more
The start was made on the 15th of July, 1806, from Belle Fontaine, on the south bank of the Missouri, fourteen miles from St. Louis, then the military post of that city. The party were embarked in two boats, and the Indians marched along the bank of the river. The … Read more
Sources Consulted: The principal authority consulted in the preparation of this section is The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, edited by Dr. Elliott Coues, three volumes, Francis P. Harper, New York, 1895. It is one of the great authorities on Western history. The work next in importance is Discoveries made … Read more
It was to be expected that the contractors to transport the mails overland to Salt Lake City, and later to Denver, should engage in the business of carrying passengers in their wagons. Hockaday & Liggett put on a line of stage coaches from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Salt Lake City … Read more
In 1843, Peter H. Burnett, living then in Clay County, Missouri, determined to move to Oregon. He was induced to do this by the Congressional report of Senator Appleton on that country. Senator Linn, of Missouri, had introduced into Congress a bill granting a settler six hundred and forty acres … Read more
There were no established mail routes across the Great Plains until the Mormons settled in Utah and gold had been discovered in California. These events caused the two great settlements of Americans to be made west of the Rocky Mountains. The first was in the valley of the Great Salt … Read more
After the establishment of Fort Laramie, the Government was under the necessity of contracting for the transportation of freight to that point. Some of the first supplies were hauled by the Government, perhaps, but the practice of employing private parties to perform this service was always in favor. When Fort … Read more