The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-12

sisxpp with The Faclc ocean, ~ desirable 10 obtain all
the Information we can on this important question From
your position commissioner aud Indian agent in Cali
fonia, you have doubt acquitted much valuable nfor-
NATION N reference 70 lhe anetsn. passes through The
try &c. through which this roed is proposed to be
sirnced should be glad to have you your views
on this as well as other questions connected herewith
bill ID also pending Tor telegraph line to the Pacific
and trust you will find il convenient to make early
reply.
Very respectfully your oOedisn 1n ssIysp, p,,pp
Hon. O. M. WozrNcRATr.
WAsnIsGroS. %. CD February, 10, 1853
DEAR SIR am in receip, of your favor OF the sth
inst, in which you pleased TO interrogae in
laon information which, in the discharge Of duties
connected with my mlssion as commissioner and Indian
agent among the Indians OF California may have been
enabled obtain relative TO any pass through the Sierra
Nevada range OF mountains which would be deemed prac
,icsbe for The passage Of railroad and my opinion as 70
the praccaby OF establishing and maintaining line Of
Telegraph passing through the Indian country which may
be hostile to the whites.
1t affords pleasure in complying with your request
and al the same lime presents opportunity OF max ing
known TO the public-who much interested in this
subjsc and directing their attention pass
in the Sierra Nevada range oil mountains which, it would
appear, is measurably unknown 10 them. Public aen-
ton, far as am informed has been directed 10 it,,
and yet prone be The best and most practicable route
YET GSeouered Of this am satisfied in my own mind,
and now venture the assertion that when the preliminary
reconnaissance aud surveys made, II will prove
10 be the shortest and most practicable route from st
river.
In the summer of 1851. when in the discharge Of my
Official duties among the Indians in the Sierra Nevada
range OF mountains in California became satisfied that
there great depression IN the OF mountains,
commencing north OF the point where Feather river
capes into the plains continuing on TO East Pitt river
distance of hundred miles and upwards. This fact
is apparent to the observer without the aid OF instru
ments
felt assured that there was iow pass in this depess-
ed portion and observed section the side
that would appear 10 indicate it, My limited time, how
natey at the time there was bold and perseverng ad-
venture engaged in his explorations IN this section Mr.
Noble, formerly OF Missouri is the gentleman, believe
He has returned TO Missouri but his name remains
us attached 10 the pass discovered by him. He COM
peted the exploration, and afterwards came TO
and gave The important fact that there icas template
pass through the range Of mountlins. The grade
inconsderabe that loaded wagon could be taken
through without difficulty, and he believed that there
would be impairment from snoW al any season.
These important facts transmitted by 10 the De-
par,ment OF the Interior Immediately thereafter suggest
ing that the government would do well to take the iD
tia,ory measure and explore the route, with view of
directing the emigraos to it, establishing posts with a
view OF security IRON indians, who are Troublesome IN
this section.
am NOT aware Of there having been ANYTHING done,
further than the establishment OF post on the western
side Of the Sierra.
Now il you will please observe, any of the maps in
which California is embraced you will that the
south pass through the Rocky mountains (he pass
ceded 10 be the best yet found through which
the emigration 10 California, Oregon, and Salt Lake, is
latitude a. passing along the northern border OF Salt
Lake; and continue on straight line to the Sierra Ne
vada range OF mountains, latitude 40 deg 80 min you
find the low pass indicated, discovered by Mr. Noble
shortening the distance to California some two hundred
miles. aud meeting with less mounan less grade. and
less smou, venture TO say, than can be found on any
other route TO California and Oregon.
The practical engineer will please observe that there is
space of one hundred and upwards OF miles on the
western side OF the Sierra Nevada (rom Pitt river
souih) IN whieh there coming from he
fssns This fact will Indicate 10 him that the mountains
oU here He will observe again that for four hundred
If ESa hold tpfh
mountain range al intervals OF no, more than twenty
miles apar, indicating that they IRON altitude OF
Lawsons Two Sisters, and 81 Josephs, in the Sierra
Nevada. latitude Al hereabout they stand up bold
relief sgnai peaks, yet they not covered with
in the summer months; consequently not high any
part of range further south These facts that would
Indicate the practical explorer and engineer TO seek
for tbs greatest depression IN The mountains here with The
The TACT OF the existence OF this low pass made
known to a company OF men al Shasta city by Mr.. No
BILE He took them through u, and they confirmed IN full
all which be stated TO They look on il as remark
able pass possessing advantages any other known
portion OF the immigration OF the past year passed
through ii without the least trouble.
Here, then, is a route which should commend itself
10 those who may be chosen with view OF locating the
most practicable route Tor railroad telegraph. will
the without fear of successful cono
versy, that less grading will be required on H. and less
obstruction, than any other that be indicated
and that 1t will pass through country as WELL IT not
better, supplied with timber and wafer than any other
route. The caloric engine, melhnks, will have to be
brought into requson any OF the routes indicated
My personal knowledge OF southern line has satisfied
me OF that fact.
You will perceive that there other advantages in
this route The first OF u.s. that 1t enters II
Sierra Nevada range the divergng for Oregon
indeed, the only practicable route from California to Ore
gon passes around east so The Shasta range OF noun
tains, al the point indicated by for The entrance
OF the road into CALIFORNIA; consequently you perceive
the diveging into Oregon will be al this point and
il possesses all the facilities and inducements for settle
menlhne valleys Of land abundance Of grass and water
and healthy region, with plenty OF the best timber.
And further by entering at the head OF the Sacramento
valley you obvate the rapid and great descent from the
great elevated tue eastern OF the noun
tan and have the gradual descent IRON the head OF the
Sacramento valley San Francisco without distraction
OF any kind whatsoever have designated this route to
Mr. Alden Who in behalf OF his company has taken the
iniialory steps establish line OF telegraph from 81
Louis San Fanesco, and fee satisfied that the foregoing
route will have preference any other In connrxion
with this subject aud IN answer 10 second inquiry
may be excused IN making few suggestions relative TO
the great difficulty, which apparent TO all. and amount
ing 20 an Dsaperahe obstacle with somei protecting
the Has fvsm the rous bands Of Indians.
| am IN hopes that J shall be able 10 convince all
rational and rejecting persons that this be done, and
in doiax much good will TO these poor creatures
My experience has b. en- sufficient 10 instruct in the