The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-08

/ through to California, and describe the rest OF
the way. Yours respectfully,
CHAs. W MCCLANAHAN.
PACIFIC RAILROAD OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Elm ROUTE
Correspondence Of the Boston Post.
Fort BENTON, UPPER Missouri
September IS, 1853
Since ! wrote you from Fort Union, my ad
vance parties from the Mississippi and tho Pa
cific have met on the ridge Ct the Rocky Noun
tains A good pass has been found and there
seems scarcely doubt of the entire practica-
bility of the great Northern Railroad Our
subsequent efforts the present season will be
directed to a thorough examination Of this pass
in the mountains, and Of others in, the inter-
mediate ranges TO the Pacific, viz the Bitter
Root and Cascade ranges | have long been
satisfied that between the head waters of the
Missouri and Columbia river there must be
good passes, lower and more practicable than
the South Pass Our attention had especially
been given to the passes from the forks Of the
Missouri-those from the forks Of the Marias
and the intermediate one in which my advance
parties met Before leaving Washington, it
this pass first and Lieut.. Saxton, q son of Mas
sachusetts, in command of the advance party
from the Pacific, had orders to establish a de-
pot at the st. Mary's village, just west of the
mountains, and TO cross the mountains and meet
me at Fort Benton. | arrived here on the first
day of this month; and not hearing from him,
sent forward small party under Lieutenant
Grover to reconnoitre the pass, and ascertain
.l-.l LII Id he
They met Just this side Of the ridge The pass
in excellence exceeds every expectation. The
ascent in both directions is gentle, and it would
seem that the whole range had been sunk at
this point for the express purpose Of allowing
the passage of railroad According to the
barometer, it is more than two thousand five
hundred feet below the South Pass; but will
not venture to pronounce it more than one
thousand feet lower, until the result is tested
by subsequent examinations. To. day the main
party, under Lieut. Doneson, son of Major
Donelson, the former editor Of the Washington
Union, moved forward to carefully examine
this pass with an experienced scientific and
engineer corps
Lieut.. Mullen is now exploring pasa from
the forks of the Missouri; but the pass north,
leading from the forks Of the Marias river to
the Columbia, will, it seems to me, be found to
be tho best Of the three. had assigned to
Mr. Lander, one of the civil engineers, the duty
of examining this pass but learning from Lieut.
Ssxton that Cadets Pass was excellent, and
that much work remained to be done west of
the mountains determined to push my whole
force through it, in order to insure reaching
the Pacific before the close of the season. Lieut.
Mullen had been despatched before Lieut. Sax
Ton nd utp inf
ton of his coming overlook me sxty-fve miles
on my way from Fort Benton to the Blackfoot
camp, where | was going with Mr. Lander to
procure guides, and get detailed information a.
to the best route through the Marias Pass
The great difficulty in exploring the passes of
the Rocky Mountains and the country west, is
the immense quantity Of timber obstructing a
view of the country and tho trails pursued by
the Indians This is particularly the case with
the Marias Pass, and more time would have
boon required in the examination than ] had
at my disposal. 1t should be carefully exam
ined another year. The mountains west OF the
Rocky Mountains-viz: the Bitter Root and
the Cascade ranges--are also densely wooded,
and SHOWS on the dividing ridge occur the last
@, October. The Indians cross these mountains
with their families till early in November, but
q proper survey is very difficult at later Pc
Rod Hence the necessity of dispatch ia cross
ing the mountains and surveying the region
west.
Lieut.. Saxton depicts in glowing coors the
magnificent scenery fertile valleys, beautiful
rivers, and the extraordinary forest growth Of
Washington Territory Out OF the very iuxu-
rance of nature arises the principal obstruction
to the exploration of the country. Vast forests
cover the hill-tops and fill the valleys, making
it difficult to make ones way. The beautiful
St Mary's Valley, at the western base Of tie
Rocky Mountains, is fertile beyond description,
has a mild climate, and cattle keep fat in win
ter as we'll a. in summer, on its nutricious
grasses. This valley connects all the passes
and il only FIVE OF six days journey from the
falls of the Missouri River. | arm satisfied that
the Missouri is navigable for steamers to the
falls, but am now having it surveyed to deter
mine this question. Lieut. Douelson has al.
ready made the survey from lis mouth TO above
Fort Union, and Lieut. Grover will by the close
of October have completed it to the falls The
data will then be collected for an official report
Much has been said about the distractions
to railroads from SHOWS, and this will be the
great objection to this route We shall the
ensuing winter collect many facts bearing upon
this question, by meteorological post which
have established at Fort Benton under Mr.
Doty, and one which propose ~ establish at
St Mary's under Mr.. MulIan But moro is to
be done. Lieut.. Grover, n man of iron nerve
and great resources will start from this point
in January with o dog train, and will in the
dead OF winter pass over the whole route tn the
Pacific, crossing the Rocky Mountains and the
+ Bitter Root and Cascade ranges IL seems an
impractlcablc undertaking; but know Lieut.
Grover and do not doubt it's successful accom-.
plshment
In consequence Of Lieut. Saxton bringing
moro men to the work. have decided 10 send
back oil but three Of the dragons attached t,
the expedition | advised several of the hire
men, in my Judgment not good mountain mer
enough for the duty before US, 20 return also
They en,rcated me to 90 on not one wishes /,
turn back. Every man wishes to identify him
self with the work before us aud the ntmoe
confidence prevails
In the Cascade range, that gallant and abb,
officer, Captain Mcclellan, one of my nobl,
brothers in Mexico, is Low ascertaining th,
most practicable pass and in one month hop,
t. exchange congratulations with him at til,
entire success OF our undertaking
Lieut.. Saxton will 20 down the Missouri il
charge of the returned men, and To carry infor
! nation to the Departments in Washington o
the condition OF the exploration, before the ses
SION of Congress, A m evidence Of nay sens,
. II bis services, published an order, of which
J send you copy