New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-05
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.

A most interesting question in connection
with thissgreat national work is that of the
route on which it can most alvanageOusly be
built No doubt this will be settled by ample
surveys before the enterprise is actually I'M
dertaken, but whatever throws light upon it is
deserving of attention.
A writer in The Free Press published at
Janesville, Wisconsin, gives at length the re-
suit of observations made by him, with regard
to the question, on recent overland journey
TO California. He is convinced that the route
starting from Dubuque, through Iowa to Coun-
Gil Bluffs, or the mouth of the Nebraska River,
and thence directly to the South Pass offers
great advantages over every other line We
make the following extract from his commuics
ton:
"Thb riveT The Nebraska, or PlaHel rscs in the
Rocky MOuntlins, branch o; which. the Sweet
Water takes IL rise Immediately the height OF land
IN the South Pass, which u the great thOTouzhiare
through the mountains 20 the Mormon settlement Ore.
gon and California 40 Fort Laramie when trayersod
the plains, we fell in company with kh Carson, the
great western ranger, with his company from New
Mexico, On their way 10 California, who informed us
that tis way D. not orly tue 1es but at the sano
Due ~ tSunlt pNesiOtc route IRON 70 te
Pacific settlements, they having Travelled down on the
esst side OF the mountains to the head OF Laremies
Fork which they followed down 20 the FOrt, distaut
about 300 mies this side Of the South Pass The dis
lance from the confluence Of the Nebraska md Missouri,
20 the South Pass j. about go miles The entire dis
lance along the river bottom one Of the finest roads
In the world and the unniteted traveller 10
OF having arrived az th summit of the Rocky Mountains,
81 the height Of about 1000 feet above the level Of Tie
sea until he ls aimonhed OF the fact By observing the
waters begin 10 TOW west toward the Pacific. Wnile
travelling through ths country, took note OF IL most
prominent chnr4cfersilcs having In mir he great ra
road project If the day. aud free 20 say almost un.
qualhedL that Is Of the most practicable railroad
routes on NE American Continent There "a, however,
lack Of timber In that couE1y but the mmsnse quaint
ties on tie Missouri vii supply that deficiency IN con-
stIucng the road With regard 70 is natural resources
II may, with prsprety be sad, that all along both
siGts 81 the Nebraska, 1t Is boundess in extent uusur
passed In richness and oppropa;eness 10 agricultural
purposes. L. plaIies ne gently rolling coursed by
numerous beautiful, meanderlug streams and are capa
Die Of sustaining dense population as any o.ler
country-uOt excepting our iavorite Wisconsin 10
which, IN many particulars, u bears striking rssem
bsnce. It, geological formations, and mnersl1ycal
resCuTces unable describe this paper for
O space. Suffice il 10 say for the present. that iron
Hbounds in vast quantities, and the inest kind OF coal
may be the surface in many places strata Of
al least 20 feet IN thickness, undoubtedly abouniing in
inex arstibe oUantities Finally this route from Chi
cago through Janesvle 70 Dubuque-thence through
Iowa up The Nebraska Il not only Of the most
possible bur tie most 9reet, varying but few mes
IRON due west course and VIII develop the world
greater extent Of rich and valuable country than any
other contemplated route N the world
A correspondent OF The Tribune, who is
thoroughly acquainted with the subject, for
wards US his views in the sub;Oined commune
cation:
10 ne EGi,or II Then Y. Tri1sns:
SIR: Having resided in Oregon for the last
l. years. and having Travelled Ia and explored the
northern part OF that territory nearly up 70 the ~
from he Columbia, rather from Puget's Sound %
the head waters OF the Missouri and also having seen
accounts OF the expedition Of Mr. Whitney and others
a. wei a. having crossed the Rocky Mountains three
from the Atlantic 70 the Pacific in those routes am
prepared to say there Is no obstacle in the way Of
constructing double track rahroed from New York to
Nisguhlly Astoria, or san Frrnclsco. Tae country
rem independence No &c either Of these plaess Is
no rouzher than II l. from New-Ysrk 70 Duakirk As
70 the capabilities Of he country sustain Populaon
can say that the route Up the Missouri Rive, pass-
Ing 70 tie Fiat Head thence 70 the Spokan River and
through % Nsqusly Il decidedly preferable, and Is
Susceptible OF cultivation with abundance OF timber
aid material for constructing the road from the head
waters ofihe MssOuri 70 Nzquay or Pugets Sound a.
also for farming PurpOses-
One Ect IN relation 20 the terrible saows which By
tie way exist more IN Imagination than in reality. Il
4 is deep 10 produce the obstructions insisted
UPON ~ some uhy Is Il TIA, tie most numerous tribes
CT Indiana the innEnerzble herds Of b1Eao and game
rerrain n that region Why Do they not 20 South.
INTO the baimy ard fertile county, TIE wan. OF
water eanno, be assigned the reason for in winter
tie rains must rize these beautiful plains and draw
the natives and tie game from the cold SHOWS Of
tie North. No, Sir; these are natural causes Mr.
Fremont has tested them beyond doab,, and nature
proves the fact Why, then, spend tine and money -
show and prove what nature dsproyes, If the south.
err route il tie rosie how q Is that al American rray
tlers take di1erent orei The reasons asziznsi b.
Engsh writers fcr lot giving or selling 70 or Govern