The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-01
Route to the Pacific.

LETTER FROM MAJOR sTEvESs.
We have been favored with the following private
letter from Major Stevens, who is conducting the
survey OF the northern route to the Pacific ocean,
CAMP NEAR LIGHTNING LAKE, June ID, 1853.
We are now over one hundred and fifty miles from
our starting place Camp Pierce, which was named
on Lake Amelia, about ten miles northwest OF st.
Paul and over three from Fort Smelling Ny force
is well organized, and my means OF transportation
as efectual as ! need. | teel highly encouraged,
thus far at the result OF iabors, and nay prepa
rations think, are good guarantee Of success.
OF the objects OF the expedition you well aware.
As for myself, my mind Is unprepared in regard to
fixing any particular line Of road for the great inter-
oceanic railroad communication. My determination
is to collect facts learn the geography and topogra-
ply OF the country over which we pass. and develop
the resources Of this hitherto unknown region.
Should good line for railroad be found, connect
ing the head waters of the Mississippi and Pugcts
Sound, trust the day will not be tar distant when
the railroad will be built.
After careful study Of this question, have come
to the conclusion that il the routes be practicable,
two roads must at an carly date be built-one con-
Meeting San Francisco with the Gulf and Central
States, and the other Pugets Sound with the
valley Of the St Lawrence. have no doubt az to
the practicabity Of the southern line and trust
delay will occur in commencing it.
When consider the growing importance OF our
Pacific possessions the rapid concentration Of the
commerce Of China, Japan, and the Indies on that
coast. making our country the centre of the CON-
merce Of the world, cannot but be convinced that
two great roads win prove insufficient to supply its
wants, and that we shall need three and probably
more reads.
But, apart from the railroad survey proposed other
great advantages will flow from this expedition. l
have made it special point of interest to the
friendship Of the Backfeet Indians, through whose
the services of Alexander Culbertson, ESQ., whom
have appointed, by authority of the Indian Bureau,
tcal agent. He has lived among the Blackfcet
for ever twenty years knows every adult male Of that
tribe, and possesses unbounded influence over them
made bis acquaintance at st. Louis. and found him
to be q steady, intelligent, and reliable man. He
joins the expedition at Fort Union, which expect
TO reach about the 18th of July, and accompanies
Of expresses sent by Mr.. G. through the country,
council will be convened at Fort Benton, about four
hundred miles west Of Fort Union. This distance
has good wagon road the Whole way, aud over it
journey in twenty days. For myself, expect to be
in the territory in the early days Of September.
presume this will be the last opportunity Of sending
letters back until arrival in the territ ry Of Wash
iDg:on am very truly yours,
SINGULAR RAILROAD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS More
held an iEquest this morning on the body Of O re-
spectacle German woman, widow, as the papers
found upon her tended to show, OF Conrad Smith,
who came 10 her death under the following circum-
stances:-She arrived in town b. the Central tiil-
road line last evening aud left her luggage ia the
baggage car. This morDing she went 30 the depot
jptt a. the rain commenced, and to avoid getting
wet crept under ole OF the cars standing side
switch, and commenced knitting. She was seen
when hrst going under, by German baggage mas
TER, who cautioned her away. Itappears, however,
that she remained IN her dangerous position. After
sbe had been there some time, entirely out OF sight
Of the officers of the road, few cars were sent down
the switch, and struck the baggage cars, under one
II which the woman was seated, sending them along
the rails The woman finding the cars In motion, en-
deavored to vi from under, when she was caught
by the wheels and run over. Her legs, arms and
hea0 wero terriDHy srnsheu, causing instAntAAsoSs
death.-Rx6ais AdvUttSr, yslv %.