Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-23

In pursuance OF your request, begun 70
write an article upon the subject of a route FOR
the Pacific Railway, but have not had leisure
10 complete 1t. Our own experience of the Sam
gre del Christd mountains, the valley of the Col.
orado Of the North, the Sierra Madre. and es-
Pecially of the Cuchatope Pass, after turning
the Rio Grande, through which, YOU remember
we journeyed in 40, proves 10 me that Lee.
rouN's route is altogether impraciicabIe. That
pass is much worse than Johnson's cutoff across
the Sierra Nevada. In my opinion by far the
most feasible route is from Weston or St. Jo.
seph. From independence the road crosses the
Kansas, both Blue rivers, and other streams on
me oat river model-an ocean in the Winter
and Spring, and dry in Autumn-pursuing near
| " inc emlgrant road by the South Pass and
Suoiei'es Cul-oh to the Sink Of the ST. Mary's;
thence there are several roads, all pronounced
tOy competent judges to be practicable. The
best, from my own information, is a new trail
surveyed last fall and leading into Yankee
Jiln's;' it is said 10 be a very good pass and al
most level. The greatest difficulty is 10 be met
after entering the mining region. The north
side OF Platte river would never dol the Black
dllls would he as great or greater obstacles than
the snowy mountains. They may commence bv
a different route than the one | have indicated:
but am morally certain Railroad upon the
present plan OF engineering, and now known
principles OF science and mechanical mowers
cannot possibly ever be completed elsewhere
The undertaking, it seems TO me, would be as
egregous folly as TO attempt TO dam the Missis-
siPpi. San Francisco must ever be the demo,
OF the trade of the North Pacific; Oregon and
the Sandwich Islands will, for century TO come
remain mere producers for the mining region of
California, and their supplies must pass through
The Bay. Hence railroad to San DIEGO must
connect with San Francisco-but why run tbe
road 1000 or POO miles from a direct line
over country greatly poorer, more mountain
ous IN Tact, desert land, in the face of obstacles
many times more important and after passing
the Cahone Pass the only one south of Carson's
Route which can be got through, and last. (tbe
Sierra Nevada being crossed) with the San Rsr.
nardino, Bonaventura and Coast Range still 70
be surmounted. What the Cahone Pass !, Won
can remember; It is described as far better than
Walkers Cutoff, by several with whom have
conyersed, familiar with both routes. If Won
remember, this side Of French's Ranch. we
camped at the base of the Mountain, where
walker Route intersects the Valley Road: 7 |
don't think could enjoy ride in car down
those mountains, and as to tunneling, that is in.
possible. You will remember Cars Journ1I
and description OF the road over Walkers PAS.
what do you think of III
INFLUENCE OF RArLRoADs.-The GaIena
Ieiiersonan says, along the line Of the Cen.
-raI Kali Road, between Galena and Free. {
BORT, several new and thriving villages are :
bringing upin the vicinity of depots' which
I'd lair to be populous and thriving vii.
ages Surrounded as they are by fine ,
grcul'uraI country which has been here. {
OlOre so greaI disinncn from 49,. :