Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-09

My main purpose in troubling you with this letter is
that further information in reference this interesting
subject may be ELECTED for it is subject Of interest
those who may travel this desert and there are
many doubtless who will pass it their way to
California as it is the only overland route that be
safely travelled in winter. as
had designed, after my return from California,
eighteen months snce to say something you the
subject of the for the great Pacific Railroad de-
| ferred it, and shall content myself with merely
| glancng at it.
The Southern route by which mean line, with its
starting point at Memphis other approved locality
the Mississippi not far distant through Southern New
Mexico to the Pacifc the shortest least DISTRACTED by
nature and from other important considerations the most
feasible Of any other.
The idea has obtained that the mountains to be passed
will the northern route be serious impediments-
There is ground, think, for this apprehension.
Crossing the Rio del Nore, point about 100 miles
below Socorro, 210 below Santa Fe where line Of
travel left that river and turned directly west the pro-
posed line of road would meet with serious obstacle in
We travelled COL Cookies route about eighty miles after
leaving the river, and then followed trail, which
will be found designated the map Of COL Cookies route
by dotted hne believed then by Mr. Lerew, the guide
to be good route if water could be found.
have nowhere any notice fyom any who had
travelled this But four parties had travelled it be-
fore 1t is good route, being about eighty miles
shorter than travelled by Col Cook The distance from
the point The Trio Btes where left Cookies route to
Tenson the frontier of Sonora being about two hun
bred miles.
L
miles from the Rio Bravo Del Norte. 1t has where
crossed it. very little of the mountain character; by
gentle slope reached the top, and camped in billy
rather than mountainous region and proof that the
road mot may well suppose, in the best locality
is not difficult travelled with wagon thirty miles
after nine o'clock the day left camp. Thence
70 the Ppos villages on the ella river there is nothing
In the Of the construction OF railroad great por
ton Of the line being free from any unduation Of
surface. Ranges Of low, bleak hills running in north
and southern direction separated by wide fats
\ ka+ Md -
Pimos villages, IS miles, there is not hill Down the
ella difficulty occurs and after crossing the Colo
rado until we reach the mountains, which to be
continuation Of the coast range These also rather
hills than mountains but would should think be more
in the way Of constructing railroad than those Of the
Sierra Madre. Through them, doubtless San Diego
could be easily reached which is the terminating point
Of the proposed line
reference the map viii show that the Pacific coast
makes casting rapidly south and hence San
Diego much than San Francisco any central
point in the States, say to Washington, even to 81
Louis.
On this travel win be interrupted by the
SHOWS cold Of winter, which would be seriously OBJ
structed the Northern route
IL has been objected that this passes in part
through Mexican territory That territory situated
however, that should this be deemed the preferable route
this objection could be readily obvated by negotiation
with Mexico for the right Of way, for cesson Of
strip Of country which is Of no value to her.
will close with statement Of the distances as
made them from the Rio del Norte to Warmers Ranch,
sixty miles distant from San Diego. From that point
travelled north San jose then the seat Of government
Of California Warmers Ranch is considerably north Of
direct line from the crossing Of the Colorado Sam
Diego but the travelled route to the latter place
Miles
From point the Riodel Norte, 100 miles south
Of Socorro, in New Mexico, to the Two Buttes 81
To Tenson 1876
To Pimos Villages 81
TO Colorado river, ten miles below the mouth Of the
ella 1876
To Warmers Ranch 14S
To San Diego 60
7e4