"It is from these exudations, as well as from the salines or salt plains before mentioned, that our western waters, especially from Arkansas to Red River, acquire their brackishness during the low seasons; and not from the mountains, as some have presumed. Such as issue from thence are there as pure, fresh and crystalline as snow-fed rills and icy fountains can make them. It will now readily be inferred that the Great Prairies from Red River to the western sources of the Missouri, are, as has before been intimated, chiefly uninhabitable — not so much for want of wood (though the plains are altogether naked), as of soil and of water; for though some of the plains appear of sufficiently fertile soil, they are mostly of a sterile character, and all too dry to be cultivated. These great steppes seem only fitted for the haunts of the mustang, the buffalo, the antelope, and their migratory lord, the prairie Indian. ...the occasional fertile valleys are too isolated and remote to become the abodes of civilized man."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
p. 248.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Commerce_of_the_Prairies
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Commerce of the Prairies
1806 – 1850
Commerce of the Prairies: or, The journal of a Santa Fé trader, 1831–1839 was written by Josiah Gregg (1806–1850), a merchant, explorer, naturalist, and author who described his travels and adventures throughout the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. He is most famous for this book, a classic description of his early travels along the Santa Fe Trail to Santa Fe, then along El Camino Real to Chihuahua, Mexico and further south.
241 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Commerce of the Prairies →
Related Quotes
"The administration of the laws in Northern Mexico constitutes one of the most painful features of her institutions. J…"
"The evil consequences arising from maladministration, of justice in New Mexico are most severely felt by foreigners, …"
"Few men, perhaps, have done more to jeopard the interests of American traders, or to bring the American character its…"
"With a view of oppressing our merchants, Gov. Armijo had, as early as 1839, issued a decree exempting all the natives…"
"The only tribunals of 'justice' in New Mexico are those of the ordinary alcaldes or justices of the peace; and an app…"
"In the administration of justice, there are three distinct and privileged jurisdictions, known as fueros: the eclesiá…"
"Imprisonment is almost the only sort of punishment resorted to in the North. For debt, petit larceny, highway robbery…"
"In case of debt, as before remarked, the delinquent is sent to jail — provided the creditor will not accept his servi…"
"Capital crimes and highway robberies are of comparatively rare occurrence in the North, but in smaller delinquencies,…"
"Prior to the adoption of the Sistema Central in the Mexican republic, the province of New Mexico was under a territor…"