The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-16
The Wagon Road TO the Pacific.
LIEUTENANT BEALE-s RKP0Rr TO THE SECRETARY
WAR.

or WAR
WASHINGTON, April 26, lsis.
Sin-I have the honor to transmit herewith my
daily journal Of the survey made last summer and
winter Of a wagon road from Fort Defiance to the
Colorado river or State line OF California the
35th parallel. With this Journal I send also an
itinerary from Albuquerque, In New Mexico, to
California. This itenerary gives distances as they
exist no air lines imaginary curves, but everyturn
Of our wheels recorded by the odometer attached.
II II proper that should call your attention 10 the
fact that 10 go ny Fort Defiance and thence TO Zuni
our starting point is unnecessary loss of time and
a very great increase Of distance to no purpose.
Complying with my instructions j proceeded to
Fort Defiance and thence TO Zuni, but my train
sent by the direct road from the Gallo river to
Zuni, saving not less than sixty miles. Accompany
ing nv journal is table showing the Thermometer
a. it's highest elevation and lowest depression
during the day, and always exposed to the sun on
our outward journey in the months Of September
and October and another kept on my return in
January and February for the same purpose A
comparison Of those two establish the interesting
fact that one may travel the road in winter and
summer without suffering the extremes Of heat on
cold. The journal which send you is a faithful
history of each days work written at the camp
FIRE at the close Of every day. have not altered or
changed Il in any respect whatever, as desired to
speak Of the country il impressed me on the spot.
as TO be rs faithful in my description of it a.
possible. You will, therefore, find il very rough
but hope those who may follow in my footsteps
over the road may find IL correct in every par
tcular. have written IL for the use of emigrants
more than for show and IL IL answers the purpose OF
assisting them shall be well satisfied. I have de-
scrbed things az | found them in the seasons in
which passed. Mone OF less water in the summer,
more or less snow in the winter may be found by
those who follow me; am not responsible for the
seasons but am for all my statements In relation to
the country over which We passed. AZ far the San
francisco mountain the road needs scarcely any
| other Improvements than few bridges In one place
| alone a bridge at the Canon Diabolo would save
twenty-five on thirtyiive miles of travel and on the
whole road its length might he shortened by subsc-
ouent explorations and by strengthening elbows. one
| hundred miles A this viii inevitably become the
great emgrant road to California AZ well az that by
| which ali stock from New Mexico will reach that
| nlace Il ia proper that the government should put
| n In such condition ~ TO relieve the emigmnt and
stock driver Of as many Of the harshps incident TO
their business ne possible For this purpose, would
recommend that water dams be constructed ut short
intervals over the entire road With these and few
bridges and military posts, do not doubt that the
whole emigration to the Pacific coast would pursue
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