to do constant service, the Indian horses had better be obtained, if possible; for there are but very few horses that have been raised in the United States, that will not fail to reach the settlements in Oregon or California, if constant service is required of them.
The greatest attention should be paid to all animals that are taken on this journey: they should never be made to perform any work that is not absolutely necessary, and they should always have water and grass when they require it, if it can possibly be obtained. It will be well to stop once in every few weeks, where a good pasture is found, in order to rest the teams. Neither wagons nor teams should be overloaded, for it is bad for either to fail, on the prairie. And there is another thing in connection with this, that ought to be avoided. Many persons preparing to emigrate, who have been unable to sell their little property, have crowded all sorts of trumpery into their wagons, to be hauled to Oregon. This is generally thrown away when it has been hauled six or seven hundred miles, and after it has broken down either the wagon or the team. Persons should remember, that the distance from their starting point to that of their destination, is from twenty-five hundred to three thousand miles; which is rather a long land carriage, especially where the articles taken are of little value. Almost every article which is indispensable to persons wishing to engage in any ordinary occupation, may be had in Oregon, at a very reasonable rate; and in California, for far less that what it will be worth to haul it three thousand miles, across the Rocky Mountains.
Every family should be provided with a commodious tent, made of some kind of strong, close, cotton cloth. It will be found to add much to the comfort of traveling, both as a protection against the sun and rain. A tent also affords a convenient sleeping place, and one in which families may enjoy the privilege of being somewhat to themselves.
Cooking utensils should be such as are in character with a camp; light, simple, and not liable to be broken.
Emigrants should be provided with a good supply of strong, and durable clothing; enough to last seven or eight months, or until they can arrive at their destination, and have convenient time to procure others. But this is sufficient; more is worse than superfluous, especially for those who intend going to Oregon. In Oregon, articles of clothing may be obtained at about as reasonable rates as they generally are in new countries, and very much cheaper than they can be carried in wagons, over
148
