The origin of the Oregon Trail was exactly the same as that of the Santa Fe Trail. It was the most direct route from the mouth of the Kansas River to the Northwest, which when taken to apply to a region beyond the present Kansas, embraces all the country to … Read more
The Spaniards called the pueblos on the Rio Grande the “first settlements.” In the year 1601, Don Juan de Onate, being at the first settlements, determined to go on an expedition “to the interior, by a northern route and direction, both because of the splendid reports which the native Indians … Read more
For two generations the Spaniards sent expeditions to explore the Great Plains. They rode up and down in this magnificent land from the Ozarks to the Rocky Mountains, and from Texas to the Platte River. Vast sums were expended in these onerous ventures. But so far as the territory now … Read more
How possession of New Mexico was secured without a battle remained one of the best secrets of American History. Indeed, until as recently as 1910, the War Department had classified the following letters as top secret, and refused to release them until William E. Connelley was able to get them … Read more
The Santa Fe trade continued without interruption until the year 1843. The Mexican forts on the American frontier were closed in that year in consequence of military activity along the Santa Fe trail by the armed forces of Texas, whose north line was, for some distance, the Arkansas River. In … Read more
The Mormons in their migration to the Great Salt-Lake country, passed over all the branches of the Oregon Trail. Their pilgrimage continued overland from 1847 to the opening of the Union Pacific Railroad—and even yet continued. The Mormons avoided the real trails in the early days of their settlement in … Read more
President Jefferson moved at once to secure definite and reliable information concerning Louisiana. His first step was the organization of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. The object of this tour of exploration was to discover the courses and sources of the Missouri River, and to find the most convenient … Read more
St. Louis, June 24th, 1806. Sir: You are to proceed without delay to the cantonment on the Missouri [at Belle Fontaine], where you are to embark the late Osage captives and the deputation recently returned from Washington, with their presents and baggage, and are to transport the whole up the … Read more
Cantonment [Belle Fontaine], Missouri, July 12th, 1806. Sir: The health of the Osages being now generally restored and all hopes of the speedy recovery of their prisoners from the hands of the Potowatomies being at an end, they have become desirous to commence their journey for their villages; you are … Read more
Washington City, April 4, 1849. Hon. Mr. Crawford, Secretary at War. Sir: The remark which you made that Mr. Marcey said there was no “contract” with me for my services in Mexico, and the time that had elapsed since without hearing anything more, naturally makes me uneasy, and I write … Read more