Washington sentinel., 1853-12-14

intimately connected, the parties have been in
sructed to collect all the facts which may have
bearing on the capacity ofthese regions TO support
human lite.
twas necessary, before determining what routes
should be explored, 10 examine the Information
which had already been obtained. Only three par
ties had extended their explorations with proper
instruments from the Mississippi TO the Pacific.
The first and most northern, was by the way, Of
what is called the South Pass and the Sierra Ne
vada; the second through Santa Fe, the copper
mines, and along the Gila, and the third by the
way of the Zuni river and the Colorado.
Other surveys have been. made with barometer
levels over detached portions Of the region be
explored. The information thus obtained, though
limited is specific as far as il goes and gives just
ideas elevations and other obstacles 10 be
mounted Much valuable and reliable information
has also been furnished by the Mexican boundary
survey. s4ss4s.
The explorations of Lewis and Clarke, who
crossed to the Pacific, and those Of Colonel Long
while they throw much light on the general geo.
graphy and topography of the country, and have
served 70 indicate the routes TO be explored do not
give profiles Of the regions passed ever
Reports from travellers who have gone over the
continent entirely without instruments, are as va
rious and conflicting as the routes themselves and
even of the same route totally different accounts
are given. Any information other than that based
on accurate instrumental measurement, though il
may be of some importance in indicating routes TO
be surveyed, is Of little value in determining the
question Of railway. Il is necessary for this pur-
pose to have well determined facts and not vague
impressions.
The expedition Of Lewis and Clarke showed the
probability Of considerable indentaton in the
crest of the watershed Of the continent, near the
forty-seventh parallel of north latitude and ndi-
Gated the probability Of railway route in this re-
gon, from the headwaters of the tributaries OF the
Missouri, across to those of Clark's river.
The party first organised under the act of Con-
gress was the TO explore this line, which
claimed the earnest attention, from the known se-
verify and length Of the winter and the necessity
Of commencing operations early in the year. Il
was placed in charge Of Gov Stevens of Wash
ington Territory, who was directed 10 operate
from ST. PauFs, or some eligible point on the Up
per Mississippi towards the great bend of the
Missouri river, and thence on the table land be-
tween the tributaries of the Missouri and those of
the Laskatchawam, to some eligible pass in the
Rocky mountains. second party, commanded
by Capt. Mcclellan, under the direction Of Gov
Stevens, was directed TO proceed at once to Puget
sound, and explore the passages Of the Cascade
range, meeting the eastern party between that
range and the Rocky mountains.
Taken in geographical order, the next survey
ordered to be made was that entrusted 10 Capt.
Gunnison, corps Of typographical engineers. He
was instructed to explore the route near the 3Sth
parallel Of latitude, by the Huerfano river and
Coochu-to-pa, or some other eligible pass into the
mountainous region of the Grand and Green rivers,
and westwardiy TO the Vegas of Santa Claus and
northward to the vicinity of Lake Utah. Reliable
information furnished by persons who had been
extensively connected with the western explora-
tions Of the government, gave such assurance
that no railway pass could be found north Of Kern
river into either the Sacramento or San Joaquin
valley, that it was not deemed proper TO expend
any part Of the limited means appropriated in such
a search, and having learned that the Mormons Of
the Great Salt Lake were making survey for a
railroad from their settlement 10 Walkers pass,
Canfaiu yuhOap MI
their engineer would enable him to obtain what
ever information he possessed, was directed to
procure report Of that survey, thus connecting
his line with the survey TO be ordered near the
35th parallel.
Postponing for future operations, il further sur
veys shall be ordered, the exploration of route
from the Salt Lake across the Sierra Nevada to
the valley of the Sacramento, Capt. Gunnison was
directed TO return from the Great Basin through
the Timpanajo Canon or other passes, across the
Weber and Bear rivers by the coal basin, 10 such
point Of disbandment his discretion might
direct.
The next line is that near the 35th parallel
which is in charge Of Lieut.. Whipple of the corps
Of Typographical engineers. He was directed TO
ascend the valley Of the Canadian river, TO pass
around the mountains east of Rio del Norie and
enter the valley Of that river at some point
Albuquerque, thence TO extend his explorations
west through Sierra Madre and the mountains
west of Zuni and Moqui countries to the Colorado
Of the west, and proceeding in the direction Of
Walkers Pass TO continue his survey by the most
direct and practicable line to the Pacific ocean
Much testimony in favor of the practicability Of
this line indicated it as proper route for explo-
ration.
Another line further north is that suggested by
the surveys Of Major Emory 1916, and those Of
| the boundary line Of the 32d parallel. 1t passes
around the extremity Of the Guadaloupe noun
tains Of Texas in about latitude 3lo and crosses
the Rio Grande near Dona Ana or Frontera in
about latitude 800, and thence follows the table
lands west of the San Pedro river, and thence
along the ella river to its mouth. A portion Of
this line passes through the territory of Mexico,
and another portion is north of the line of opera
tions of the boundary commission, and conse-
quently these were not included in the boundary
survey The gaps thus existing in this line are to
be filed up BY the survey Of Captain Pope and
that under the direction Of Lieutenant Parke,
both Of the corps of Typographical engineers
The instructions to the latter were not given until
recently, because the survey with which he is
charged requires part of the line to be erun within
the limits OF Mexico. The Mexican government
authority 10 the United States TO make all cxpo-
rations necessary TO determine the practicability
Of a railway route in this region.
Several partial routes on the Pacific side to
nect before described, with those from the east,
were directed to be surveyed by Lieutenant Will
liamson, of the corps of typographical engineers,
He was instructed TO examine all the passes east
ward from the valley Of the San Joaquin and the
Tuare lakes. and subsequently to explore Wal
ker's and otlor passes which exist in the high
range of mountains, apparently the southern con-
tinuation Of the Sierra Nevada.
The experience Of almost every party which
has crossed the continent, shows the necessity of
fitting ont separate party on the shores OF the
Pacific TO explore the Sierra Nevada and the other
elevated ranges near that coast. Parties reaching
these great barriers from the Atlantic side too
much fatigued and exhausted to make elaborate
surveys. II is also necessary that those parties
should commence operations early in tho spring,
in order to complete the field work before the
heavy SHOWS interrupt progress.
Copies of the instructions given 10 all the parties
are hereto appended. From these il will appear
that the officers of the different expeditions have
been directed TO observe and note all the objects
and phenomena which have an immediate or re-
mote bearing upon the railway or whichmay serve
to develope the resources, peculiarities and cli-
mate Of the country. For this purpose they have
been supplied with full sets Of instruments for de-
terminng the latitude and longitude of places, the
courses and distances of the routes and of the to-
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