The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-28
PACIFIC RAILROAD.

PACIFIC RAILROAD
The following letter from d. b. Scott esq, to the Hon.
Nm B. Weller, of the United States Senate, viii be read
M interest Mr. Scott is favorably known in California
an able and efficient civil engineer
MARysvmLE YUMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,
January 20, 1855.
Ds,R sp Your letter of the 10th October last dated at
Francisco requesting my views in relation to the prac-
ability of the pass known as "Brophys or the Downe-
pass in the Sierra Nevada range for demonstration
railroad over was received on my return from the
tGnairs
have deferred answering until could procure reliable
rmaon relative TO portion of the route on the east
Of the summit range, between the sink OF Humboldt
Little Pruckey lake. which have never travelled
The information that have been enabled to gather from
tlemen Of intelligence and good judgment who have
ueny crossed the Sierra at this point and from that
cited in conversation with immigrants at Little Pruckey
last season. in connexion with my personal knowledge
the general characteristics of that portion of the eastern
pe of the mountain from the sink to the Carson river
s through which travelled in ls49, wlenable me to
you satisfactory description of that part of the
ute than otherwise could have done.
During residence of four years in this country the past
rec of which in my official capacity county surveyor
as n civil engineer have frequently been engaged
h up in the mountains in the locating and surveying Of
DDS and canals for mining purposes.
the most Of these surveys made in the section of
ntry contiguous to and the summit of the Sierra
Brophys pass / am enabled, from intimate knowledge
the general character and Typographical features of the
nty along the western slope Of the mountains leading
it speak with degree of confidence acquired by
mere cursory or superficial reconnaissance.
Brophys pass situated about in latitude 80 deg 80
north longitude 100 deg. west being the eastern
undary of California and due east from this place
@ point in the summit range of the Sierra Nevada sepa
the waters Of the Middle Yuba river flowing west to
Sacramento from those Of the north branch Of Pruckey
|wing east to the desert
Although no instrumental observations were taken by
directly TO ascertain the absolute altitude at the summit
from series of levels TAKEN and by referring to other
own elevations, and comparing with this am enabled
approximate to the rne altitude Of the summit range
point From those observations, infer that the al
BE Of this pass will not exceed $500 feet above tide
ter.
Before offering opinion TO the practicabiity Of this
for constructing a railroad over, any suggestions
ehng the definite location for such road in order To
re easily the elevation up the western slope
Sierra Nevada leading to IL will briefly describe the
ton of country traversed by the present wagon road
which large overland immigration for the two past
sons have travelled
The citizens of this State making active exerons for
speedy construction Of stage road from the Sacra-
nto valley to the eastern boundary OF the State Resou-
ns have been introduced into both branches of our
shure calling the attention OF Congress to the mpera-
necessity of establishing military or post-road from
eastern border of this State to the Missouri
As road of this kind win undoubtedly take precedence
railroad, the location Of which viii influence that Of
latter wish to direct attention to this route not only
snow its degree of practicabty for wagon or stage
but to the fact as shown by the aggregate Of dis
@ rom point to point along the same that it is more
Get from the sink of the Humboldt or from Carson's
y to the valley of the Sacramento than by any other
ncabe route, with less amount Of mountain road and
'enung no natural distractions to the opening and
naming of good road. The pass at the summit may
A'tally obstrnetod for month two in the winter
on BY the falling SHOWS, but apprehend that the same
will equally apply all other passes north Of
Ielon, at the head of the San Joaquin
parting from this place the present road leads nm on
north side OF the fuba river distance of 35 miles IN
Ts bar, on the north fork, about miles above ts
nuence with the middle fork of the same stream Re
n those points there is now constructed good turn
road over which daily line of stages passes and a
eteghtng business is transacted in the direction n,
"nieytle and intermediate points.
the distance Of ten miles from this place the road ae
NsShg over plain OF uniform surface arrives M the
ulis skiring the valley of Feather river Here the
ieaVe the river to the south, and strikes OF over a
as upland country crossing numerous low ridges and
p'ng valleys to the keyso ranch, distant from this
g miles The principal stream crossed on this por-
o. 'ne road Is Dry creek, tributary to the Yuba
0m 'he keystone 70 Fosters bar-disant seven miles
O"u aseends and descends over prominent ridge ex-
"s north and south, forming the divide between the
'o' Dry and Oregon creeks, and after crossing the
stream, which has its outlet into the north fork OF
uoa Two miles below Fosters bar, again asccnds to
nt Of the river hill, and from thence desconds 10
~ This portion Of the road, although not difficult.
y materially benefited in grades with but little in
N distance and Mt trihing expense by changing
non to the NORTH thereby avoiding the abrupt east
descent TO the river
slng the river at Fosters bar substantial bridge
=" again crosses a low ridge intervening to Garden
Instant mile, aud from thence sscends on TO the
PA divde between the north and middle forks Of the
river
4Ough Garden valley courses Willow creek small
FORMED In the table lands lying between this divide
ue north fork, flowing in a southwestcrly direction