, 1854-09-30
Two Northern R RalIrOodRo outes
to Puget SOHnd.

1t will be remembered by the readers Of
the PIONEER AND DEMocRAT, that at the
late session of the Territorial Legislature
Of Washington, when it was learned that
FREDERICK W. LANDER, Esq, Chief and
Locating Engineer Of the Northern Pacific
Railroad survey, was about to undertake
an exploration of line from the Columbia
river connecting with the main trunk line
to California, a resolution was unanimously
adopted by both Houses attestiug their
idea of its Importance to the Territory,
their confidence in the bold adventurer,
and calling the attention Of Congress and
the country to the value of report on
such line
Mr. LANDER organized his party at his
own expense-purchased his own provis-
ions and left Olympia on the 18th of
March, Five men constituted his whole
force, but he had hardly taken the field
before two Of his men were obliged to re-
turn in consequence Of sickness. Nine
hundred miles Of the route he was accom-
panied by single individual. Once was
he detained nearly a fortnight in conse-
quence Of q severe accident, and ten days
more was he prevented from travelling by
a violent attack of mountain fever. In
Malheur river, appropriately named, as
Mr. LANDER experienced, he lost all his
clothing. With these inconvenience, hav-
ing to swim several rivers, Mr.. LANDER
pushed forward through hostile bands of
Indians, the Utahs, Shosocos, Pannachs and
Pannas, and arrived at Council Bluffs on
the 9th day Of July, reaching Chicago on
the goth July. ..
Mr.. LANDER reports his line as eminently
satisfactory for Railroad purposes. From
the detour Of the Columbia river valley,
the line crosses over to Utah, and con-
meets with main trunk line to California.
No tunncling is necessary no grading
over forty feet to the mile, and the heavy
cuttings are all gravel A reconnaissance
has also been made of the South Pass, and
its practicability for Railroad has been
determined
Mr.. LANDER's great experience as a
Railroad Engineer entities his report to
the greatest confidence, and it is a matter
OF graduation indeed, thus to be assured
that we have two good feasible lines from
the Mississippi river to Puget Sound
Gov STEVENS very valuable report Of his
important labors, establishes the practica-
Bility efthe great Northern route from the
head waters Of the Mississippi river to Pu-
get Sound. Mr.. LANDER's labOrs have
developed another equally importaBt line,
and when we examine the map and notice
the fact that this line to the point Of its
northern DETECTION before coming into this
Territory is very nearly east and west
FOm Chicago, we cannot but be struck
with this vastly interesting feature. We
are glad to notice that it's Importance is
becoming fully appreciated. As a proof
Of this, we need only refer to the resolu-
ton offered in the National House of Rep
resentatives by the Hon. Jas. A. McDou-
gal, Of California, calling upon the Secre-
tary of War for report as to the line Of
which we have been speaking, in connec-
tion with the main trunk line to Califor-
hia-and to editorial comments in various
sections Of the Union.
Z We might dwell upon this subject longer,
but suffice it to say that we feel its magni-
tude will already have attracted the atten-
ton Of the country. By it are California,
Utah, Oregon and Washington all united
with our sister States Of the Atlantic, and
Intimately linked together by ties Of COM
men interest.
Let us, in conclusion, re-afirm our idea
Of the eminent services of Mr.. LANDER
We invoke for him the favorable consider
alton Of the National Government and the
grateful thanks Of the people for the salts
factory termination Of a very difficult and
arduous undertaking. e
-.... Pay Up.
We take occasion to remind those of