, 1854-03-18

Last week the proceedings Of the House
were rather inaccuratcly reported, and that
portion, in reference to the proposed rail-
road exploration, under the direction of
FRED. w. LANDER, Esq, Civil Engineer,
introduced by M. BMEs, of Clark was en-
tirely omitted, and only appeared in the
deliberations of the Council and there not
fully, as will appear by the following, which
will serve to show that an unanimous vote
of thanks, Of both branches, was rendered
to Mr.. l.. for his voluntary proposition, in
the discharge of the duty about to be IN
dertukcn by him, in a rail road survey. A
desire to do justice to all persons concerned
with the Pacific railroad survey, prompts
us to make any explanation which may be
required, with regard to any legislation
/ thereOn-confdcnt that mono Of the par
ties interested will in the slightest degree
be compromised by publication of the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth" I"
as will hereafter be verified by their re-
ports. '-.
House. OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
-... March l. 1854.
Mr.. Biles, of Clarke, offered the follow
ing resolution: .-. ...... s..
WHEREAS, Frederick w. Lander E,q.,
civil Engineer Of acknowledged reputation
and high standing in bis profession, has IN.
dsltakeD The examination Of a railroad route
f. ON Puget Sound by The valley oil the Co
lumbia to lhr vicinity Of the South or Bridg
er's Pass Of the Rocky mountains to connect
with a railroad to California.
And WHEREAS, This examination is con
Quoted at the present time that reliable IN
formation regarding the line in question,
may reach Congres, during the present sess-
ION, and prior 10 any final action upon the
Pacific railroad route.
And WHEREAS, II is the opinion Of this
/ Legislature that the result of this cxplors-
lion will possess sucha reliable scientific and
practical character as TO enlIlle it 10 equal
consideration by Congress with thos9 more
officially conducted. ....
| RcsoirH, That in view Of the Importance
of this exploration, its scientific character,
and the value of its results that our dele
gate in Congress be, and hereby is instruct
ed to present the report Of this cXamina-
lion to the Congress of the United States,
and to use his best endcavors to procure its
publication as public document.
A,d be il FURTHER Tesoirea, That our
delegate in Congress is instructed to use
his efforts to procure such an appropriation
as will compensate Mr.. Lander for this ar
duous and perilous service, and repay the
necessary expenses incurred by this servoy.
Mr. CHBNowErH spoke in favor of the
reSoltion, and in connection with the subject,
we will take pleasure in presenting his re-
marks thereon, corrected from last week,
which were taken down hastily, and so in
serted.
Mr.. SpEAKER-I am pleased with the
resOlution of MY worthy colleague, Mr..
Biles. 1t is of vital interest to every citi.
zen of the Pacific coast-and may ] not say
to the entire Union, to England, to China
the best route for a rail road from the
eastern States to the Pacific ocean, road
on easv grades tcith0Wt tuHneiiiHg- most
direct lne and uniting the greatest number
of interests. When travelling over this
route in ls49, nothing so astouished me as
to approach and actually pass the summit
of the Rocky mountains without perceiving
that one was either ascending or descend
ing The only evidence the traveller hai
! :hat he has passed the summit is the gentle
flow Of streams Of water. The Wind Rivei
Mountains loom up in the distance to tht
north, cold, rugged and capped with snow
Nothing striking meet; the eye on the south