, 1854-03-18


for the pass called the South Pass, the
open level plain, covered With grass is the
only object encountered by the traveller.
From the South Pass to the mountains of
Bear Bear river, there are no distinctions
to railroad, nor is it known that these
+ bluffs Cor perhaps they might be dignifed
by the name of mountains, though nothing
; Ike the Cascade mountRins), J, will interpose
any obstacle to u road in approaching
them The ascent is exceedingly gentle,
but thc descent to Bear river by the trav-
Ieled road (Which always mas more regard
to grass and water thar, ,spoothncss of sur
lface), is quite steep, ont / should think en-
1tirely practicable BY skirting along the
brow and sides of these hills. But IL isnot
certain, or even probable, that it would be
necessary to descend, to the valley of Bear
river. These mountains. range east and lcesf,
land as grass is not any food for the iron
horse, if water can be had at suitable dis
tances, it is quite probable that this road
can be conducted over these high lands, and
instead of descending to the valley Of the
Bear river on the south it can be couducted'
by easy grades to the valley of the Snake
river on the north. But should It be nee
essary to descend to the valley of the Bear
river, its descent could be as easy as could
be desired by running along the mountain
sides as far as it would be necessary, and
that without making any det0nr. These
Bear river mountains are Che only serious
distractions to railroad from the States
to Puget Sound. Indeed it would be diff
10 nd fa1 20
railroad than the valley Of the Snake and
Columbia rivers. Upon the whole line of
these valleys, can speak from personal ex-
animation, except the pass through The Blue
mountains. crossed these, mountains in
mid winter and at considerable distance
south of the river. Bot is believed that tho
opening made through these mountains by
the Snake river, will afford an easy passage
for rail road and would now be the usual
Travelled road but for few rocky points over
hanging the liver. The high character Of
Mr.. Lander as an Engineer, the unqualified
praise bestowed upon him by Gov. Stevens
and the high opinion oil his colleagues Of lbe
late expedition shows how amply be is
qualified for this exploration. II will be re-
membcred he was the discovercr Of the pass
through which the contemplated rail road
farther north is to pass, that he is the only
one that has passed through il, having
explored the more northern route be will
be well able 10 compare the two and speak
advisedly ns 10 their comparative nrrits.-
Mr., Lander proposes TO examine this route
OIL his own responsibility, and at his own ex-
pensa he does this from an irresistible con-
vicIion that il possesses advantages of de-
cided character over any other route I
have heard DR.. John Evans, U. S. Geoo-
gist, speak in most decided terms in favor Of
this route after a careful examination OF this
and several other routes.
Mr., Lander proposes TO make this exam
inaiion with very small PARTY; this will bo
accomplishing greai public good at a tri-
fling expense. All he desires Is that con-
sress will publish his report and make him
such compensation as may be reasonable,-
an appropriation OF some five or six thousand
'iolbrs is all that is wanted. There can bc
no doubt bui what his Excellency Gov. Stel
vens will give this measure his hearty sup.
port. His immense zeal for Washington ter
rilory will lead him 10 co operate heartily
with the citizens in a matter Of such intense
interest 10 them. The peculiar Advantages
of the route are the numerous interests
served BY it. II The main trunk TO CaliforI
MIA should be by The South Pass, we can
! reach il with branch seven hundred miles
long, without any conflicts, or Opposition
from San Francisco. II will also serve the
interests of Utah and Oregon territories.
For these and many other reasons, sir, /
should vote for these resolutions hi The mag;
niiude OF this enterprise will justify tho
most thorough examination Of all the pro-
posed routes, so tlrat the best may surely DO
adopted. sll H .gs1iul 7oih'vp
The following resolution was then offered
by Mr.. Chapman, Of Pierce county, pre-
faced by a few remarks, and passed unani-
mously: @ ST. r'''' ''''-
Resolred by The Legislature Of The Terri
tory of HIashingt6H, That F. W. Lander
Esq, Civil Engineer, in undertaking the
arduous and perlous enterprise, atlhis own
expense, Of an exploration and survey Of
a railroad route by the valley Of the Colum-
bia through the Rocky mountains, mat
ter Of the highest Importance to the inter-
ests of this Territory, is entitled ITO the
gratitude of this Legislature, andswe here
: by tender him our thanks and best wishes
for the success of his undertaking. o.
The SixoPE BArr1E.-ln speaking Of
the late naval battle at Sinope, the New
York Tribune holds that the result must be
/ set down favorable to 1.-THE Turks il says
: that the superiority Of the Russians was very
/ great, and the valor of the Turks no less
t desperate than we had supposed. Indeed,