Year: 1859




tention to have remained in my seat and silently
to have listened to the discussion of this BILL and
| would not have taken the floor now, but for re-
marks made yesterday. | have been following
the lead OF my colleague, willing and anxious to
vote for any proposition he might recommend to
the Senate, to secure the construction of Pacific
railroad but as intend to vote for the amend
ment which has been offered by the Senator from
Iowa, MIR. Harand, it would be as we'll perhaps
Tor me TO explain the reason for that vote The
senator from Illinois, Mr.. Douglas stated YES
terday, that he considered that amendment as
fatal to :he bill. do not shall vote for it in
order to carry out the great purpose of the bill.
Sir, IT this bill is not cheat, the road under it
VIII never follow southern route across the thir-
ty-second parallel of latitude 1t will be seen by
an examination of the map, that after it reaches
the Pacific on the thlrty.second parallel it will
have to run up through the State Of California to
the thirty-eighth parallel-thatis, SIX degrees of
latitude northward and from St Louis, by that
route, the distance is very nearly three thousand
miles. | would ask Senator'S particularly those
on this side OF the chamber whether they intend
to vote for the construction of railroad by the
Federal Government through the State of Caliior.
MIA distance of more than six hundred miles to
San francisco, and to appropriate $12 400 IA mile
for that purpose do not believe that such a
proposition would receive a vote on this side, even
from the Senators representing Southern States
who are IN favor of a Pacific Railroad; for it is
known that one-half of them are opposed to the
construction of any railroad to the Pacific.
have sat here quietly and heard descriptions
given OF two routes which have been much spoken
OF; one that is TO find its terminus at Guaymas,
ON the Pacific and the other the northern route,
whlcn is to hnd its terminus at Vancouver, or
Seattle. or those two routes prefer the southern
route, terminating at Guaymas, rather than the
n0rther route to Vancouver, for the reason that
by 1t, the distance to San Francisco is practically
much less; and the voyage from Guaymas to San
francisco can be made more easily than the voy-
age from Vancouver to San Francisco But, sir.
| am opposed to both of those routes and really
In favor of building railroad to California. II |
favored a railroad to Mexico should select the
route along the thirty-secOnd parallel of latitude
but as am not in favor of road to Mexico, but
in favor of a road to California, am for the mid
die route-the only one practicable to California.
For the purpose of informing the Senate of the
character of the land ON this route between the
Missouri river and the South Pass, | will read
from a report made by Mr.. Lander, very sensi-
BILE gentleman, now in the employ of the Govern
ment, who explored the route, and who, believe,
has the confidence of the Administration:


"An experience ofover fifteen years of the build
ing, workage, wear, depreciation, and renewal of
railways, has rendered it evident TO me that no es.
innate ofthe cost of permanent road over a route
OF nearly two thousand miles Of broken surface
can be deemed reliable, and that the desideratum





power must take place by those irregular but pro.
gresslve steps by which the practical talent OF
this nation has so repeatedly solved the various
experiments and necessities of progress.


1.-The route to the South Pass by the main
Platte valley permits the adoption OF modes OF
construction which will cover the liability last re-
terred to, for it can be developed by RAILWAYS
without material reduction of the natural surface
of the EARTH


desire especially to call attention of the Sen
ate to what follows:


"Railroads suited to military and mail transpor-
tatlon can reach the waters Of Salt Lake and the
Salt Lake City In three years from the time of its
commencement, if forwarded with the usual en-
ergy OF Amercn movements, and under prop
er programme for overcoming the difficulties OF
obstruction,


From the mouth of the Platte river to the
Dase OF the Black Hills, distance of over five
hundred miles, as before described, the route OF
the South Pass is fiat plain of gravel substrata,
rising at an inclination of about eight feet per
mile, and without break In surface towards the
mountains. The lower end of the river valley is
fairly wooded with the cotton wood. Nearer the
mountains, the foot hills are well tmbered with
cedar, yellow pine and fir. Excellent building
stone is abundant along the line, and large coal
ileds occur at various adjacent points, and at the
eastern extremity. Upon this fiat plain rails can
be ald without grading. The superstructure can
progress at the rate of one mile day, or faster,
If circumstances justify the additional expense
light railroad, over which trains can pass with
facility, and even at high rates Of speed would
thus reach Fort Laramie in less than three years,
and become the initiative or preliminary step to-
wara the building of railroad of a more ponder
Gus class, either for the transportation Of Pacific
commerce. or rs adapted to the increased busi-
ness of the line when developed by settlements


by extending the cheapest practical means of
gunnlIpS m Lar
annie, laying an iron road which can be worked by
locomotives and supersede wagons, without en-
bracng the more elaborate triumphs of steam
power, and gaining many attendant advantages,
we also take the simplest and most effective steps
towards solving the experiment of an overland
railroad to the Pacific. There is no invidi0us Sc
lection of rocte by legislation because the only
route graded and ba,sc:sted, by act of nature. is
adopted. This route is Of Latlnal position for
tary defence in time OF war; becc'lse, while
providing means Of transportation 30 Utah, Ca,.-'
torna and Oregon, it is located at a distance from
the frontier, and cannot easily be aSsailed by an
enemy


mo practical engineer or RAJ lroad superintend-
ent would advise the immediate furnishing of this
road throughout its length to Fort Laramie 1t
should be provided with turnouts and water
ing stat onS, but with no costly or ponder
Gus works to entail cost. The first one hundred
miles nearest the Missouri river might easily be



The trains could on occasions work the whole
length of the line; The line could be kept in
service throughout its length without daily work
age OF locomotives for it would afford like con-
veniences to those of canal or of navigable wa
ters to local emigration by being provided with
light cars, these cars to be drawn by the animals
of the population seeking locations for settlement
along the line. For the low tolls charged for the
use ofsuch cars, the company could afford to keep
the line in service. Thus, for mail and military
use, the route would always be ready for the pas
sage oftrains up the road. 1t would be for the in
terest OF the population to protect it, without re
ference to the other modes of protection hitherto
stated. The danger of destruction of a military
railroad is the very least of the many arguments
made against it. Although permanent railroad
is class Of line peculiarly pregnable to the most
insignificant means of attack a common line of
snperstructure, light rail- fiat chair, hook, spike
and plain crOss-tles, extended over fiat gravel
plain, is readily renewed and If the line of com
municltion is broken, can be relad at a few hours
notice"


Having Travelled lately from San Francisco to
the Missouri river can give an equally favorable
account Of the land lying near the fOrty-sccond
parallel Of latitude upon the other side Of the
South Pass, and fom there until it strikes the
eastern boundary of California. BY this route
from st. Joseph through Mobiles Pass to Bencia,
which is thirty miles from San Francisco. the es-
tmated distance is one thousand seven hundred
and twenty-five miles. 1t is thus divided From
St. Joseph to Fort Kearney, two hundred and
twenty-five miles from Fort Kearney to Fort
Bridger five hundred and ninety miles from
Fort Bridger to Bencia, nine hundred aud ten
miles, making in all one thousand. seven hundred
and twenty-five miles. This is the direct route
across the continent from St Joseph to Benicia,
in California


Mr. President | should like very much to see b
Pacific railroad bill passed at this session and if
the amendment Of the Senator from Iowa, does
not prevail | am willing to accent the bill renort.