Butte record., 1854-06-03
The Pacific Railroad.

Nobies. Esq, to Hon j. A. McDougal, deS-
cribing route for railroad through the
South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, AMI
through Mobiles Pass of the Sierra Nevada,
we take from the Washington Union:
WASHINGTON. April 10, 1854
DEAR SIE--In compliance with your re-
quest, herewith enclose you a description of
route explored by me from the valley OF the
Sacramento throue h what is known IS ''No-
bles' Pass in the Sierra Nevada, thence
across the great basin. and through the Rocky
mountains to Fort Laramie. believe it 10 De
| the best route across the continent and thr0
our own territories for rauroai You will
do me favor by laying it before your col
league and the Senators from from California,
also before General Lame Of Oregon, and
hope my observations AMI suggestions may be
of service in forwarding what | regard rs the
great enterprise Of tue are.
FoT want Of proper tacli,ies was unable
to make observations with scientific accuracy,
but assure vou my statements viii be found
substantially CORE. IN AL important partie-
uiars.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
WuLIAad II. NoHI.Es.
Hon J. 4. McDoUe A.,
House Of Representatives, Washington
Dsscyi i.ati5a of a rtifroqd roptc 5u Tie Gonfa
Pass a t4e Eoct' .8ouniaiay, oai Votes
Pass Of TIE Sieyll i ecl!1, in Cai.foynio
GnG Ort&od.
The country 10. between the Mississippi
and Fort LARAMIE It is well known, offers no
obstacles TO the construction Of railroad,
either b. the valley Of the Platte or by other
liues thoroughly explored the grade being
light and uniform the entire distance.
From Fort Laramie westward through the
Black Hills, the South Pass, the Great Basin,
and the Sierra Nevada, tie character Of the
country IS baL imperfectly understood and
il Is believed by the writer that the intorm4-
tion collected by him during q trip from Cali
tornia into the Valley of the Mississippi f3r
the express purpose of exploring a railroad
fcient value TO justify the attention of the
public. and particularly those interested IN
the subject Of railroad TO the Pacific.
In leaving For; Laramie the first djGi i,ulty
to be avoided is tho Black Hills BY crossing
the principal fork OF the Platte, and takinE
the valley Of the river Oh It's northern side,
these hills can be entirely avoided, except at
one or two points, where the spurs run down
to and cross the river. At these points the
river canons, and some cutting wond he re-
quirec, but only to a very inconsiderable ex-
tent.
The route would then continue up the north
side Of the Pla5te, and then follow the valley
OF the Sweet Water to the summit OF the
South Pass
Ia crossing the summit Of the South Pass
the emigrant trail should he left to the south
and the branches of the Sweet Water coming
from the North followed, so as TO run near the
base OF the Wind River Mountains; from
thauaa I;vc.t y
near the New Forks aul thence passing
through range of nountains, rot named, to
Soda Springs, On the northern bend of Bear
River. The passage through the Mountains
on the line indicated is an excellent one, and
would require little, if any, heavy cutting
From Soda Springs, leaving the emigraut
trail to the north, a.d passing 90 or 30 miles
down the valley OF Bear River, ali the Snake
River m0untains can be avoided when by
winding around the southern base Of those
mountains TO City Rocks, a perfectly practica-
bic line exists, which avoids the most serious
distractions on the whole line from Fort Lara
mie TO the Sacramento.
From City Rocks Ly leaving the emigrant
trail to the north. passing entirely south of
the mountains lying west If CITY Rocks, per
feet route will be found to the southern end
of Thousand Spring Valley" when the route
=
BY crossing the emigrant trail and leaving
it to the south, pursuing west course nearly
passing through a Canyon, il divide be-
tween the Thousand Spring Valley and the
head waters Of the Humboldt and thence on
an sir line TO the Northern bend Of the Hum
boidt river, the route presents no difficulties
and Is mostly level plain.
Thus making slight detection to the south
to avoid some mountain spurs, good and
very direct route, with but slight Inequalities
Of surface, is found to the northern end Of
Mud Lake.
From thence there is \ direct ljuo through
level country 70 the northern end Of Honey
Lake, which lies at the eastern base Of the
Sierra Nevada. From Honey lake taking a
spur lying north Of Susan River, q very uni
form graas, with rise at no place more than
eighty feet tand probably not ttty feet) to the
mile, is found for thirty miles, when you
strike valley known as the Susan River Val
ley, which Is the commencement OF a series of
valleys continuing throughout the whole range
Of the Sierra, with very Slight difference of
elevation.
From Susan River Valley the route would
pass between the lakes at the head of that
river; thence close by the northern base Of
the .fBlack Butte" which is about the summit
OF the Sierra; thence by the northern base of
Mount Tom,' or "Lawson's Butte, crossing
tributary of Mill Greek and thence on an
easy grade into the Sacramento Valley, strik-
ing the Sacramento river at the northern
border of the rancho Of Major P. B Reading
ana near the mouth of Cow Greek
From point near the summit Of the pass
in the Sierra there is prcficable route into