The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-04

ths Uui0m.
Pacino Railroad
| Recent explorations OF that portion Of New Mexico
extending westward from the Rio del N0ne, opposite
Albuquerque latitude IS deg Longitude 100 des 70 me
left bank OF the Colorado OF the Gulf Of California near
the mouth OF the little Colorado, Longitude IA deg e.
tablish beyond cay the entire feasibility OF constructing
an iron highway the trace indicates and westward
OF the Colorado TO the head Of the valley Of The san Jo-
aqun, through Walkers pass In the sierra nevada me
face OF the country presents no serious obstacles 10 The
construction OF a railroad
| Colonel Washington, on his return march from The
Navajo county 10 ls49 1850, followed portion Of
the route indicated. viz from the Puebla dc Zun east
ward 10 the Rio del Norte and the recent reconnois-
sanee made by Captain Sgreayes fully confirms the state
ment of lie Roux OF the practieabty of constructing
abroad from the bank OF The del Nore TO the Colorado
Of the gulf the line recommended by Senator Gwin
OF the topography OF that portion OF California lying
north OF the western mouth OF Walkers pass and &
tending thence along the valley OF the San Joaquin 10
San francisco, need only remark that il exhibits
gon favoring and inviting the construction OF an iron
highway.
From point distant 100 miles eastward OF Albu-
querque, well south eastward from The point indi.
Gated, no continuous mountain chains intervene pre-
vent the construction of railroads. with extremely moder
ate grades, 10 the Missouri river and TO the Gulf of
Mexico.
Such is the character of the route advocated by Sena
tor Gwin an eligible trail for highway intended to
connect our Atlantic and Pacific frontiers but while
fully and heartily concur with Mr. Gwn in reference
It's entire feasibility beg leave TO differ with him in re.
gard to It's capacity and ability to accommodate the entire
overland trade and travel OF immense country.
The route suggested by Senator Gwin, aside from its
undonbted paccability, is peculiarly adapted to
modale our fellow citizens oil the southern and south
western States in their future intercourse with our Pa.
chc settlements and am entirely satisfied that the pro-
al in thpn toc,,
very few years find abundant employ in passing the
travel and commerce thrown upon it by The people re.
siding in the States referred to- II would require road
OF capacity hitherto unknown in any part OF the world,
TO pass the travel and freight certain 10 spring up in
very short time between people residing of the
Rocky mountains and their fellow citizens Of the Pacific
seaboard
A single avenue from the valley of the Missouri TO
California and Oregon, in judgment. will therefore
never answer. To obviate the difficulty, would advise
the construction OF second iron highway, designed for
the accommodation Of the people residing the New Eng
land middle Atlantic, western, and northwestern States
and would establish its eastern terminus on the Mis-
sisspp opposite Rock Island, or at Council Bluffs, Ne
baska Territory latitude Al deg 80 min, longitude rs
deg As mIn All the prominent railroads leading from
the several New England States westward, well the
same description Of roads in New York, Pennsylvania
Maryland, Michigan eastern and northern Ohio, Ind
ana, and Illinois, connect with 'ron avenues" that APP
odch Tue sou pehd OF Lake Michigan, latitude Al deg
IS min, as will be by reference any chart exhb
ting the railroads now in intended to be con-
siruced in the States mentioned. The distance from the
lake TO the Mississippi Rock Island, is $50 miles
and 10 Council Bluffs 400 miles and the line from the
lake TO the Missouri al The Bluff, is nearly due west
Lake Michigan is OILS feet above the Atlantic, Rock
Island is 5as feet, and the Missouri the Bluffs is o3l
feet. railroad from Lake Michigan 10 Rock Island is
being constructed and will be completed in all the
present Year. Westward from Rock Island. across Iowa.
10 Council Bluff corps OF engineers engaged
in surveying and locating the route OF railroad intended
TO be commenced and prosecuted to completion without
delay That portion OF country embraced within the
ssh and AID parallels OF north latitude, and extend
ing from the western slope Of the Allegheny mountains
to lhs lOoh deg OF west longitude, comprises within lis
limits The greater part OF the granary of the Mississippi
valley Within the territory mentioned the soil is of the
most fertile character, the climate mild and saubrious
and the region is fully capable OF furnishing popula
lion OF sixty millions Of inhabitants with all the COM
forts and necessaTes of life; and aside from its i'm
mense agricultural resources, its mineral wealth is of in
calcuabe value.
and following the valley OF the Platte or Bridges Pass
in the Rocky mountains, latitude Al deg % min. longi.
ude los deg. would obtain from the region just men
toned sufficient peeanary alment 10 meet its current ex
penses and pay remunerang interest the cos, OF its
uction, without including calculating its large
passengers Helgntl derived from the
country and people east OF the Alleghanies That Sec
lion of The proposed great highway extending from the
Bluffs latitude Al deg 30 min, longitude IS deg SO mu
westward 10 the crossing OF the North Fork of the
Platte near Ash Hollow, latitude Al deg II min longi.
ude 100 deg would traverse the productive paste.
raj region OF republic and the surface of the country
presents TO the eye almost perfectly level plain
Crossing the North Fork OF the Platte at The pon, m
toned, the prorosed road should follow west course
across the plains TO the head waters OF Crow creek lat
Al deg. mia, long lO5 deg a, which point il would
strike The bomeward trail of Captain S,ansbury and o
low Il westward. crossing Man and Western forks OF
Laramie creek, Trappets creek, Raesnake creek Sage
creek and North Fork OF Platte Brdgers Pass in The
Rocky mountains lat IL deg. 81 min long los deg.I4
min al an elevation OF about 400 feet above the
TIC. We have now reached the watershed separating
the waters Of the Atlantic from those Of the Pacific and
the average grade from the Missouri 10 Brdges Pass
will not exceed ten feet per mile. Westward of the
pass the road will descend gently for one hundred and
nifty miles 10 the left bank Of the Colorado of the Gulf
and cross the Colorado the mouth OF Bitter creek in
lat al deg 80 min, at elevation OF six thousand feet
above the Pacific; and thence continuing west course
reach Fort Btdger on Blacks Fort, lat al deg is min
long. Ito deg 80 min The distance from the pass 10
Fort Bfdge is two hundred miles and on hi. portion OF
the line coal OF superior quality in veins Of great thick
ness, cropping out to the surface il known IN e,ist