The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-14
surveys for the Pacific Railroad.

In no point Of It's domestic policy has the adminis,ra
lion more fully responded the popular expectation Than
in the p:onptude, energy. and careful consideration
with which, under the direction OF The War Department.
tie several surveying expeditions have been organized
with view the self clion OF the best for rail-
road Communication between the Atlantic and Pacific
portions OF the territory OF The United States These
surveys undertaken under the authority OF
law rassed the las, session OF Congress. and the
attention Of The Secretary OF War has given
their organization in such 10 perform most
completely and eHec,uay their important duties.
-Four expeditions, amply appointed and under the
mand OF skul and experienced officers, already
the field. and the report OF their operations, sweeping tie
whole OF our territory between the Mississippi and
the Pacific may be expected by the first OF February
The expeditions inirus,ed 10 chosen officers OF the
corps OF engineers and OF whore
science and skill the of army in Mexico was
largely attributable II lie probably much 10
say that military organization in the world can pro-
duoe corps adequate 10 the successful conduct OF
such work.
The s, OF these expeditions is under the command OF
Major Stevens late OF The engineer corps and no gov
ernor OF Washington Territory aud has for its objec,
survey the region stretching from the upper Mississippi
Pugsts Sound II proceeds from ST. PAus. in the Terri.
tory OF Minnesota, 10 The Great Bend OF the Missouri
river thence on The table land between the Missouri
and Saskatchewan rivers 10 the most available pass
in the Rocky mountains, surveying the bes, passes
in the Cascade range. and in The Rocky mountains.
from the 4s;h parallel TO the head OF the Nis
souri, II is part OF The object OF this expedition TO
determine capacity OF the whole region OF its survey
TO supply and OF the Missouri and Columbia rivers to
transport the materials for the proposed railroad. We
learn that satisfactory report has already been received
from Major Stevens, giving ,la he is already
in his operations far beyond the frontier
Of The United States He expected to leave ST Paus be-
fore the fret OF June.
second expedition. under the command OF Lieuien-
ant Whppe, is TO survey The region of our western ter
rory adjacen, TO The parallel Of IS deg IL will proceed
from the Mississippi along the head Of the Cana
dan the RIO Peeos and the valley OF the Rio
del Norie near Albuquerque; thence through Walkers
Pass in the Rocky mountains, TO the Paci6e ut some
point The coast Of southern California near San Pedro
Los Angeles, or San Diego.
third expedition. uod.r the command OF Captain Gun
nson, will through the Rocky mountains near the
head waters OF the Del Nore by way Of the Hsurfano
river, into the valley OF the Green and Grande rivers
thence weswardy along The Ncoet river Of the Great
Basin; thence north 10 the Lake Utah. surveying on re-
turn route TIE best passes OF the Wasaeh range through
the coal balm into The forks Of the Platte
fourh expedition il TO operate ia California Lis
held the region ives, OF the Lower Colorado 10 the Pa
CHIC This expedition, starting from Ben:ia ia Csifor-
me. will examine the passes OF the Sierra Nevada
from The San Joaquin and Tuae valleys together with
the whole country son'heas, Of the Tnare lakes to a..
certain the best route between Walkers pass. or any
other practicable passes 10 that region. and the mouth OF
the Gia and from that point to the Pacific At San Dero
Each OF these expeditions is instructed and fully IRE
pared TO subject the region assigned it 10 careful ,c
en'hc survey, having reference not only 10 the exana
lion oil rs capacity for railroad route but also to all
maj may pertain TO thorough geographical know e
OF The country, including only topos rsphy but its
climate soil. and predictions. II ia obviou. that such
surveys spsr, from their main object. mus, contribute
very largely TO scientific knowledge OF
THIS vast western domain OF the United Sta,es The ap
preparation made BY the last Congress. for these surveys