Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-09-01


coteau and to the bottom lands of the
Missouri, near the mouth of the Big Mud
dy river, about thirty miles west of Fort
Union. Thence along the valley of the
Missouri to the mouth of Milk river, up
the latter river 1877 miles and then south
easterly towards the mountain passes near
the forty-seventh parallel. Several noun
tain passes were in part explored but the
reports do not give actual measurement.
The lines of exploration were connected,
however, by Lewis and Cadotte passes and
Clark's Fork. From the Occur d'Alene
mountains it was proposed to cross the
Spokane plain to the Columbia, and down
that river to the timbered table land west
of the Cascade mountains, across which
the line was projected to Seattle, on Puget
| Sound. This line was estimated at 1850
miles, which distance was to be re-
duced if the Bitter Root river could
be followed instead of the Jocbo river, and
if the Gatiena pass over the Cascade range
should be found practicable. It will be
observed that Governor Stevens line of
exploration left the Mississippi south
of the present Northern Pacific Cross
| ing of that river,and was laid in south
westerly direction to the Bots de Sioux,
| whence the course was northwesterly, to
and up the Milk river, and that it was from
! thirty to three hundred miles north of the
| finally located line until it approached the
Columbia river. 1t was longer line and
it passed over a country less favorable for
construction and less inviting to emigra-
ton tran the finally located line. Gov.
ernor Stevens report, however, showed the
route to be practicable and preferable to
any other route then proposed for trans
continental railway. The secretary of war
did not agree with him.
CONCLUSIONS OF SECRETARY DAVIS.
In the light of subsequent vents we
may understand that Jefferson Davis
should have preferred and recommended
southern route. His preference was the
southermost route along the thirty second
parallel. This was explored from the Red
River of the South 283 miles from the Mis-
sissippi, but was considered as from a
point $50 miles from the Mississippi. 1t
was thus made the shortest route and the
great difficulty, not yet overcome, of con-
Meeting the right bank of the Red River of
the South by rail with the left bank of The
Mississippi, was avoided. This line was
located through barren country for 1,210
miles. Mr.. Davis did not dwell upon this,
but in discussing the northern route he re-
marked that the characteristic of the
country from the ninety seventh parallel
to the Cascade mountains was one of gen.
eral sterility. He dwelt upon the difficult
ties of construction, the severely cold char
acter OF the climate throughout the whole
route, and the dangerous proximity to the
dominions of a powerful foreign SOW
Ia oil
estimate from $117, 10000 to $780, 900.
Settlement and cultivation have since
proved that the sterile lands are but very
small part of the country traversed by the
Northern Pacific; that the arid regions
from the ninety-seventh parallel to the
mountains was myth; that the climate is
favorable to northern agriculture, and that
the prevalent winds of winter with the
light snowfall make the northern route
best of all for railway operation; while also
the construction of the road has shown
that its line is the shortest and its cost the
least.
Governor Stevens exploration, with his
report and those of the officers, surveyors
and scientists of the party, have since
served as authorities for the friends of
the northern route, who have
drawn from all abundant statements of
fact encouraging to settlement of the
Northwest and favorable to the construc;
tion of the northern railway.
MEMORANDA.
In the United States senate in 1858
Hon. Henry NJ. Rice, speaking to reso'
luton authorizing the president to con-
tract for government transportation by
Io4,~ L. G..
presented his opinions and facts within
his knowledge favorable to the northern
route.
January Sd, 1859, a meeting was held
at st. Paul to promote the establishment
of an overland mail, semi-weekly, between
st. Paul and Puget Sound.
January 22d, 1859, D. A. Robertson pre-
sented to the chamber of commerce let
ter from Commander Maury, United
States navy, advocating two transconti-
mental railways, one in the south and one
in the north.
Jan. z, 1859. In the United States SEN
ate Gen. James Shields delivered speech
in which he strongly set forth the need of
Pacific railways and the advantages of the
northern route.
April l6, 1860. In the house of repre-
sentatives Hon. Cyrus Aldrich presented
report from select committee, review
ing Gov. Stevens reports and recommend
ing congressional action IN favor of the
northern route.
May 20, 1860. Gov Stevens reviewed
criticisms on his report and presented new
facts and arguments in favor of the north
ern route, to railroad convention of
Oregon and Washington.
Dec. 81, 1860. Josiah Perham, presi-
dent of the Peoples Pacific Railroad
company, of Maine, memorialized congress
in favor of his plan Of uniting Canadian
and American interests on a northern
route to the Pacific.
In 1853 to 1862, Lieut.. Mullen located
and constructed wagon road over the
mountains, from Fort Walla Walla to Fort
Benton, 624 miles.
In 1861 to 1866, Capt. James L. Fish, of
White Bear, under government auspices,
conducted SIX emigrant trains from the
Mississippi into Montana and Idaho.
Oct. 10, 1865, John Wilson, third auditor
of the general land Office at Washington,
in letter to Col. Rowland, expressed his
opinion that the land grant of the Northern
Pacific company would ultimately pay the
entire cost of building the road, and for
fleet of steamers and vessels in connecting
Pacific trade, and leave surplus of mil
lions of dollars.
Nov. 81, 1866, the Boston board of trade
adopted an able committee report in favor