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THE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
KIT CARSON,
THE
NESTOR OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
FROM FACTS NARRATED BY HIMSELF.
BY DE WITT C. PETERS, M.D.,
LATE ASSISTANT SURGEON U.S.A.
WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS,
DRAWN BY LUMLEY, ENGRAVED BY N. ORR & CO.
Whose body nature is, and God the soul."
W.R.C. CLARK & CO.,
W.H. TINSON, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER,
Rear of 43 & 45 Centre Street, N.Y.
KIT AND HIS FAVORITE HORSE "APACHE."TO
COL. CERAN ST. VRAIN,
OF NEW MEXICO.
Dear Sir,
You were first among the brave mountaineers to discover and direct themanly energy, extraordinary natural ability, and unyielding courage which haveattached to the subject of this volume; and, as among the first Americans who putfoot on the Rocky Mountains, you are perhaps best acquainted with the history ofthe men, who, for fifty years, have lived there. Christopher Carson, after a longlife, now crowned with successful and honorable achievements, still looks upon you,sir, as his earliest patron, and places your name on the list of his warmest friends.Through a life of unusual activity and duration, which, reflecting honor andrenown upon your name, has given you a distinguished position among your countrymen,you have never been known to forget a duty to your fellow man.
For these considerations, the dedication of this volume to you cannot butappear appropriate. That he may continue to merit a place in your confidence andesteem is the earnest desire of
Sir:
We, the undersigned citizens of the Territory of New Mexico, have beenacquainted with Mr. Christopher Carson for a number of years, indeed almostfrom the time of his first arrival in the country. We have been his companionsboth in the mountains and as a private citizen. We are also acquainted with thefact that for the past few months, during his leisure hours, he has been engageddictating his life. This is, to our certain knowledge, the only authentic biographyof himself and his travels that has ever been written. We heartily recommendTHIS BOOK to the reading community for perusal, as it presents a life out of theusual routine of business, and is checkered with adventures which have tried thisbold and daring man. We are cognizant of most of the details of the book, andvouch for their accuracy.