Washington sentinel., 1853-12-14

information which will be derived from this series
Of observations will be of much value in establish
ing the capacity ofthe country TO sustain popua-
tion and furnish articles Of commerce. The astro-
nomical observations are indispensable in fixing
the geographical position of the principal points
of the route, and for improving the map of our
western possessions. The magnetic observations
are Of importance in accurately tracing the line
between the points determined by astronomical
observations. II is well known that the magnetic
needle has irregular and sometimes fitful vari-
alton, amounting TO difference of eighteen de-
grees between Washington city and the western
coast of Oregon, and the law by which this vari-
alton is increased or diminished has not been as
certained.
The meteorology Of the country has direct
bearing ON the question of the construction of
railway. The amount of snow which will proba-
bly, be found along the route should be ascertaned,
and this viii depend on the temperature and hui
midity ofthe place. As we advance to. the north,
the amount Of vapor diminishes, and hence the
quantity of snow which falls win be less but, on
the other hand, it will lie lenger on account Of the
diminution of temperature. II was, therefore,
deemed proper that the hygromatical state of the
atmosphere should be measured by suitable instru-
ments and the mean temperature ascertained by
thermometrcal observations Of the soil at few
feet below the surface.
knowledge Of the geology of a country is inn
portant, afording essential data relative 10 the
construction aud use OF the railway. Il teaches,
in advance of our expensive experience, the OBJ
stacle which will be presented by rocks TO be cx-
cavated, and their fitness for the use of masonry,
and discloses the presence Of sand which may
drift over the track or damage the rubbing parts
of the machinery. From the character of the geo.
logical formation is to be inferred the probability
of the existence of coal and the dip and strata Of
the rock the feasibility Of procuring water by arte-
sian wells for the use of the engines-and whe-
ther or not the supply may be extended beyond
this want and happily serve for the irrigation Of
the land. Should this last result be obtained, il
would furnish the means to convert a sterile
waste into a fertile region, and add to the power
and wealth of the United States, by extending the
settlements in continuous chain from sea to sea.
Observations were directed to be made as to the
zoology and botany Of the country which enters
into the question Of the choice of routes, because
they are Indicative OF the capacity of the country
to sustain life and furnish materials for constrnc-
tion. M
Allusion has been made to the inadequacy Of the
appropriation for surveys to ascertain the best
route for a railroad from the Mississippi river to
the Pacific ocean. In determining tho route of
ordinary railroads through thickly settled coun-
tries of easy access, half per cent. on the ac-
tual cost of construction is not considered too lib
eral an allowance for the preliminary surveys, and
therefore it cannot be expected that the best line
for road which has been estimated to cost $780,
100000 can be located through an uninhabited and
comparatively unknown region for $130,0O0. -it,
There is but little doubt that the best line which
can be chosen will present combination of near
ly all the obstacles which have, up to this time,
been successfully encountered by the art Of the
engineer, and that any haste or negligence which
should cause an improper location of the road 70
be made, must lead TO consequences which would
endanger the success of the whole enterprise.
A striking illustration of the value Of opinion
not based on instrumental survey, is presented in
the developments made by Lieut.. Williamson's ex-
ploraiion Of Walkers pass It will be remember
ed oar yUaa n
point, and the various expectations on routes diff
fering in everything else generally concurred in
tending to Walkers Pass. Recent information
from Lieut.. Williamson establishes the fact that
this pass is impractcable for a railway
The information which has been received from
the parties now in the field is too limited and inn
perfect to justify opinion on the question pro-
posed by the act Of Congress. When the reports
Of those parties shall have been received, or al
the date prescribed by Congress, il is my purpose
TO submit condensed statement and map, exhib-
itng all the reliable information possessed, with
proiles annexed Of all instrumental surveys which
have at any time been made, and which serve TO
answer the inquiry contained in the act Of appro-
pration under which surveys are now in pro-
gress.
III seem to have pressed the magnitude Of the
obstacles TO successful execution Of the contein-
plated work, il has not been TO suggest the aban-
donment of the undertaking. but only TO enforce
the proprety of much caution in the preliminary
means which can be made available TO the COM
pletion Of so gigantic project.
Preconceived opinion or prejudice, personal
interest and sectional rivalry must be held subject
to the development of instrumental survey, and
subservent to the purpose of final success, or the
result to be anticipated is failure And when,
from the consideration of the magnitude Of the
difficulties 10 be overcome, we pass TO the impOr-
tance OF the effects TO be produced, there is
enough TO sustain patriotism in the saoshce of any
Its commercial and agricultural advantage, its
political and military necessity have attracted the
attention and excited the interest of our whole
country. Congress has by its appropriation mani
tested the purpose TO obtain such information AZ
will secure a proper location Of the road. to9
The necessity for more rapid sources Of COM
municaton has been referred to the other parts Of
this report when treating of the defence Of our
southern boundary, the Western Territory, and
the Pacific coast. Duties and interests of vital
importance. other than these, arise in the consid-
Grafton Of the railroad to the Pacific; but they
do not fall under the charge of this department,
have not attempted to present claims, nor have
deemed il proper in this communication to offer
my views as to the means or the mode by which
the general government may constutionay aid
in the attainment Of the contemplated object
The absence Of naygable streams in large
portion of recently acquired territory, and the
existence Of the vast arid and mountainous re-
gions, described in another part Of this report,
nave entaieu upon tue government very hcdvy
charge for the transportation Of supplies, and for
the services of troops stationed along our new
frontier, and operating against the predatory and
nomadic Indians of those regions. The cost Of
transportation within that country for purposes
connected with military defence, amounted in the
year ending June, 1853, TO $45l, IT'S OF.
The modes of transportation now uscd--wsgons
drawn by horses, mules oxen--besides being
very expensive, are necessarily circutous the
routes travelled, slow and generally unsatisfactory,
as to prompt inquiry for means which may bc at
tanned with better results. In any extended move
ment, these wagon trains must depend upon grass
for forage, and their progress will seldom average
more than twelve miles per day; and it often hap
pens in traversing the country just referred TO,
that long spaces are encountered in which there is
neither grass nor water, and here the conse-
quence must be, severe privation and great dcsti-
tuition of the animals employed, if not the failure
of the expedition. These Inconvenience are felt
in all movements between the distant parts ofthat
section, and seriously obstruct, sometimes actual
ly defeat the pursuit Of the mounted Indians Of
the plains who, by their intimate knowledge of
the places where the small supplies ofwater and
ur 80 re Z, he fOund ahle sn Az scr>.s ha