CLICK HERE TO
VIEW THIS PAGE
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History
Museum
Copyright © 2003-2004, CPRR.org. All Rights Reserved. [Last
Updated 6/29/2004]
Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the User
Agreement;
Click any image or link to accept.
HOME
[The following OCR text is included
to allow indexing.]
REP. COM
No. 344,
32d CONGRESS, [SENATE.] 1st Session.
I:ST THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
AUGUST 18, 1852.
Ordered to be printed.
Mr. BORLAND made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the. (i memorial of Robert
.Mills, proposing a plan. for a railroad and telegraphic communication with the,
Pacific ocean,7' have had it -under consideration, and report:
The subject of railroad communication with the Pacific ocean, is one of obvious
and great importance to the American people, to which their attention has been
directed with deep and growing interest, and which, on several occasions and
in various forms, has been considered and discussed in both houses of Congress,
and especially in the Senate -within the last few years. This committee, when
the subject has heretofore been referred to them, have not found sufficient information
to enable them to arrive at satisfactory conclusions, or embody any general views
they might entertain into the definite form of a recommendation of any particular
route for a road, or plan for its construction. They have, therefore, restricted
their recommendations on two several occasions, to the institution of surveys
and explorations of the country generally between the Mississippi river and the
Pacific ocean by the engineers of the army, under the direction of the Secretary
of War, with the view of ascertaining the proper route for the proposed and much
desired road. Those recommendations of the committee were not adopted by the
Senate; and, so far, no information of a character or in amount sufficient to
determine such a route, and justify Congress in taking definite action for its
location and construction, has yet been obtained. The memorialist, Mr. Mills,
has given to this subject much examination, and hasfor many years sought to arouse
and fix public attention upon it, with a view to a practical result, which, if
ever attained, will be second to none in general interest and national importance.
In l.ls memorial, lie has embodied the results of his researches and reflections,
and digested and arranged them in a clear, methodical and forcible style. While,
therefore, the committee do not undertake to adopt or endorse all the views of
the memorialist, they find enough of obvious value to commend them to respect,
and justify then-publication as a contribution to desirable knowledge on the
important subject to which they relate.
The committee, therefore, make the memorial an appendix to this report-and ask
that the two be printed as such.
[344]
MILLS'S CENTRAL ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
The honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in
Congress assembled •
The memorial of the undersigned respectfully represents that your memorialist
has for many years drawn public attention, as well as that of your honorable
body, to the importance of opening a communication by
railroad and telegraph with our possessions on the Pacific ocean, pointing out
the advantages, commercial, political and religious, which our own citizens,
nay the whole world, would realize from such intercourse, ^mce your memorialist
first opened up this subject before the public in IW^S, (when we had reference
only to our Oregon Territory,) we have come into the possession of a vast country
south of the same, .stretching fifteen degrees along the Pacific coast, rich
beyond measure in numeral wealth,
and agricultural powers.
Scarcely had this territory come into our possession before our enter-
prizing citizens rushed there to found cities, open mines, establish commerce
and a government of laws, and is at this day meted out as one of the independent
States of the Union; and here also, two Territories are formed
under the government of our Iriws. . . • , If thirty years ago the importance
of opening a communication with our
Pacific possessions was felt and appreciated, when a very few of our citizens-had
located themselves on the Columbia river, what shall we now say when a population
of some hundred thousands of our people are congregated there, active, enterprising
and vigilant to Iheir interests.
The necessity of immediate action to open a direct communication with this community
ot our citizens, has become imperative, and not a day should be allowed to pass
unimproved, to commence and^'psrfect the work, first by suitable surveys to determine
upon the best routcior the road, which shall, as far as practicable, consult
the general interests of all the States, rather than the interest of am/particular
section of them. Your memorialist having bvt one interest to serve—that
of "his country, his whole country, and nothing but his country"—availing
himself of all the information .resulting from the reconnoissances of our government
officers of al] the country lying between the valley of the Mississippi and the
Pacific ocean, projected a line of route for this road which, while it will best
subserve the general
interests of the States, will be found the most favorable on topographical grounds;
and further, which is of great importance, climate.
Your memorialist would, explanative of this subject, subjoin herewith <-i
topographical map, constructed by him from the data before stated, of all the
intermediate country between the Mississippi valley and the Pacific ocean, and
annexed to it the northern, eastern and southern sections of the Union, in order
to show the connexion which each of the States have, or may have with this main
sjtem. All the railroads completed and in progress, from the States to the Mississippi
^valley, are also here laid down, by which it
will be seen that all will merge into the main sfem terminating at the Pacific
ocean.
On the margin of this map is laid down a barometrical section, showing
3 [ 344 ]
the grades between the Mississippi river and Pacific ocean, according with the
line of the proposed route as here laid down ; also, another barometrical section
of the more northern route through the southwest pass, by the Great Salt lake
over to San Francisco. The difference here exhibited in the grades between the
two routes will be manifest, and the superiority of the El Paso route acknowledged.
The geographical extent embraced by this map includes within the latitudes 25° and
42' north, and longitudes 75° and 123' west of Greenwich observatory or 46° west
of Washington. " This map also shows our continent as compared with Europe
and Africa on one side, and Asia on the other, placing us in the centre, Europe
5,000 miles from us with a population of 250,000,000, and Asia on the other side,
about 5,000 miles from u>;
with a population of more than 700,000,000. The railroad across our continent
will make us the centre and thoroughfare for both."
By reference to the two points of the Mississippi from which the road would start,
namely: St. Louis, in latitude 38° 37' 28" north, and longitude 13° 13'
52" west of Washington, -and Memphis, in latitude 35° 30' north and
longitude 13° 10' west of Washington, San Diego, in latitude 32° 45'
north and longitude 40° 9' 36" west of Washington, distant from St.
Louis, in a straight line, 1,782 miles, and from Memphis 1,710 miles, the general
course to San Diego from St, Louis is west 6° 5', and from Memphis west 3° 5'.
The terminus at St. Louis will connect "witk all the railroads coming from
the north, east and southeast, as low down as Richmond on the seaboard, and the
terminus at Memphis will connect with ;ill the railroads coming from south of
Richmond,'Charleston and Savannah, and round by the gulf of Mexico, as low down
as New Orleans.
Thus these two main branches will equalize the commercial interests of the States
on the seaboard, and, by these branches intersecting the Mississippi, upper and
lower, those of all the western States by means of this noble river. The distance
from St. Louis, by the northern branch, to the seaboard cities may be stated
as follows: passing through the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky,
this main branch will be met, 1st, by the roads leading from New York and Boston,
the first 1,082 miles, the second 1,200 miles; 2d, the roads leading from Philadelphia
1,000 miles, Baltimore 890 miles, Washington 856 miles, Richmond 900 miles. The
distance from Memphis, the southern branch, to the seaboard cities may be staled
thus: passing through the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, AJabama, Georgia
and South Carolina, this main branch "will be met 1st, by the roads leading
from Charleston 700 miles. Savannah 650 miles, Talla-hassee 500 miles, Pensacola
350 miles. Mobile 300 miles. New Orleans 396 miles, &c. Thus every shipping
port on the Atlantic would be connected with these main branches at St. Louis
and Memphis, and by these with the Pacific ocean. It will be seen by reference
to the map that several branches from the main stem of this road are laid down,
one passing down the valley of the Red river by Fort Towson, Natches, to New
Orleans, another through Texas by the valley of the Brazos or Trinity, through
Austin, Washington, Houston, to Galveston, another west of the Rio del Norte,
down the valley of the Huaqui river to Guaymas, on the Gulf of California.
The admirable topography of this country between the valley of the Mississippi
and the Pacific ocean for a railroad will be manifest by examin-
4
[344] 4
•
n, . t^i rivers; emi)tvinff into the Mississippi all flow from the wist^e c ^ii:t:
$^ made up of prairie lancls. The roa.s
wo^s^be^^^^^ "^•^ or valleys of these rivers; the onK^^^ importance
to cross before entering "e valley of the Gila ^^^g in^o the Facilic waters)
is the Rio del Norte, after crossing Ba beaten wigon track, mostly through a
prairie region, will be found nearly all the way^to San Diego. These f.cts give
assurance of the facilities affonled by this country for a railroad. . ., Tur • • •
The whole of this region between the valley of the Mississippi and Pacific ocean,
has been so recently explored, during our military occupancy o'f the country,
and by our traders for yeaLrs past, that the practicability of carrying a railroad
through if is no longer a question. From all the topo-o-raiihical information
we have received from our talented and enterprising engineers and scientific
travelers, we can no longer doubt of the feasibility of constructing such a road-way
; and of its expediency, the public interests and the vast trade, waiting to
be carried over it, must be the answer. Colonel Abert on the question of routes, &c.,
for this road, &c. See Appendix A.
accommodate all the business now ready for it, but not probable there would not
be business enough to support it.
The barometrical observations made by the several United States scientific corps
that have-traversed this country, show that little difficulty in respect to grading
the. road will occur, and that thz maximum speed on such roads (forty miles per
hour) can be attained the whole route ; the elevation Of the point of starting
at St. Louis is about seven hundred feet above the sea; the valley of the Arkansas
three thousand feet; the crossing the dividing ndge near the Rio Grande or Del
Norte four thousand feet; the entrance of the Gila valley four thousand six hundred
feet, from which point this valley gradually descends the whole way to its discharge
into the Rio Colorado of the west, nearly level with the sea; from thence it
gradually rises to the valleys of the dividing ridge, (the Cordilleras of California)
the Sierra Nevada, and then descends to San Diego on the seacoast at tide water
level. Thus we see, from the peculiar character of country traversed by this
road (mostly prairie,) its practicability is ensured, and that at an expense
not greater than the cost per mile on other railroads. Colonel Cooke, of the
second United States dragoons, who conducted a train of wagons through the most
difficult part of the proposed route, namely, from the Rio
del Nprte to San Diego, thus writes to Colonel J. J. Abert, of the tppo-graphical
bureau:
5 [ 344 ]
WASHINGTON, Desembe-r 6, 1847,
SIR : I have the honor^ at your request^ to address you a brief memoir on the
subject of the district of country in Soaora, Mexico, winch I passed over in
November and December last with a wagon train, when I deviated, in search of
a practicable route, from the mule trail of Brigadier General S> W. Kearney,
on his march from New Mexico to California.
When he turned off from the Rio Grande, opposite the copper mines and the heads
of the Gila river, I kept the river for thirty miles to the south, and making
a southern bend turned again towards the Berth, and struck his route (as surveyed
by Mr- Emory, of your corps) just above the village of the Pimo and Maracopii
Indians—an estimated distance of four hundred and forty-four miles^
Immediately below the point of deviation on the Rio Grande^ the country bordering
the river became sensibly flatter and less broken, I left the river when in view
of a point marked on the common maps as San Diego, and the distant view towards
El Paso proved
the county to be unbroken and comparatively level*
From the high valley of the river I ascended to the table land of Mexico by an
almost insensible slope, over smooth prairie. For one hundred and fifty miles
on this smooth, level table laud, which is studded with insulated hills or mountains^
I journeyed without any difficulty, passing over but three hills; in two cases
I believe (I know in the third) unnecessarily- I then unexpectedly and suddenly
arrived at a great break-off to a lower level of country, the descent to which
was very broken, and rough mountains for fifteen miles. I found, however, that
I had at that moment fallen into an old wagon-trail, which led, I was told; frbm
Yanos. I was able to get my wagons through, following a, stream all the way,
and descending in the fifteen miles possibly one thousand feet. This was the
head of the Huaqui river, which empties into the California gulf> I was told
that this was the Pass of Guadeloupe,
I then passed an -unbro&en countryi abofft eighty miles, when I fell upon
the Jose Pedro river, which empties into the Gila, I descended tins, without
difficulty of ground, about eighty miles, ,In turning off there is an ascent
to & nearly level country, of perhaps above a hundred feet; but it cwld be
made wry gra/iuals It is then about fortv-eight miles to Tueson, a town of about
five hundred inhabitants, with a fort and garrison. This distance is over much
smooth ground, maintaining the samo general level. Tueson is in a rich and well-cultivated
valley, where there is also a dense forest of maguay- From Tueson it ig some
seventy-five miles to the Gila, It is a level plain, generally of clay, where
my wagons and footmen (water being very\scaree) passed at the rate of about thirty
miles a day.
On the map which I made, and which is in your bureau, is marked a route considerably
to the^north of the Guadeloupe pass, which some of 'my glides believed would
avoid that broken descent^ and found to be nearly level throughout to San Pedro^
at the point wher6 L turned off from that beautiful little river. The most intelligent
and experienced of these men, Larous, who^ lives in Taos, New STexico, and who
bad trapped on the Gila, and passed in, a different direction over that country,
was decidedly of this opimon. But his knowledge, on the other hand, was sufficient
to forbid to explore it in my situation, on account of scarcity of the water,
/
The Rio Grande bottoms for a hundred miles above, and at the point where I left,
aio well timbered. There is no timber on the table lauds, save upon the small
mountains which are everywhere to he ^een. This is cedar and pine, but of small
growthi Rock is everywhere to be had ; secondary rocks of almost every kind;
but by this wonderfully level routs the continefzt wi,y be passed with scarcely
a view of granite*
As far as Tueson the grsimma grass is abundant; it will fatten cattle while working,
and in winter. The route from Tueson passes through a country abounding in exceedingly
rich
gold mines.
I am, ver^' leSpectfully, your obedient servant,
P. ST. GECL COOKE,
Major S'econd Dragoons*
CoL J. J> ABERT,
Topographiwi ]Sngin.eer.
And with regard to that section of country lying between the Mississippi and
Rio del T^orte valleys, we have many accounts of trails favorable to our road
; and recently, Lieutenant Burford, of the United States dragoons, left Fort
Smith -with his command, by the Canadian trail, and without the least difficulty,
and in a very short time reached Santa Fe, reporting the route he travelled as
the best from the States to Santa Fe, California, and Oregon- A late writer thus
speaks of the route according to the testimony of gentlemen acquainted with all
the localities, and who speak froi^ personal examinations of tne entire country
-
{ 3^4 ] 6
The distance ft.o,n the head o,^^^^^^^^^^^ c^o^Tf by three hundred miles than
Irom Indep^^^^^^^ w^ ^e enabled to start lor a month the spring is the late trade
of the solltheruroute'^^^^^^^ runs luainly bofcwecn the forka of
s^SS^^^ iJ£s i6701 as could be ^and abouQdB
^e^To^^ has lately been made ou this route promises favorable for a ric^ippy0
th? sLn already sunk pioving a thick bcd, and extending over a large area.
At some suitable point of the main stem of this road, before reaching San Diecro,
a branch road leads off to San Francisco. The point assumed on the map is at
the crossing denominated Walker's pass on the maps at the Sierra Nevada, dividing
the waters falling into the Pacific through the San Joaquin river and Gulf of
California, an elevated point, which may be necessary to enter the valley of
San Joaquin, descending all the way to
San Francisco bay.
t( Ji canal can easily be cut here (says Mr. Farnham, who travelled
through this country,) from the head of steamboat navigation on the San Joaquin
to the head waters of the Gulf of California; this for commercial and warlike
purposes would be invaluable '," and, in passing down the same, a branch
road may lead through some gorge in the high land west to Monterey; thus would
all (he important harbors on this section of the coast of the Pacific be reached.
It is probable that the route of the Gila will be found the most advantageous
line for a railroad even to the Bay of San Francisco, by means of the San Joaquin
valley, rather than by the Great Salt Basin and Sacramento valley, 7° or
8° further north. The valley of the San Joaquin is about three hundred miles
long and sixty broad, between the slopes of the coast mountains and Sierra Nevada,
with a general elevation of only a few hundred feet above the level of the sea.
It presents a variety of soil, from dry and unproductive to well-watered and
luxuriantly fertile. The eastern (which is the fertile) side of the valley is
intersected with numerous streams, forming large and very beautiful bottoms of
fertile land, wooded principally with white oaks (querens and lig-landi—Tor.
and Frem,) in open groves of handsome trees, often five or six feet in diameter,
and sixty to eighty feet high. Only the larger streams, which are fifty to one
hundred and fifty yards wide, and drain the upper parts of the mountains, pass
entirely across the valley, forming the Tulare Jakes and the San Joaquin river,
which in the rainy reason make a continuous stream from the head of the valley
to the bay. The foot hills of the Sierra Nevada, which limit the valley, make
a woodland country, diversified with undulating grounds and pretty valleys, watered
with small streams which reach only a few miles beyond the hills, the springs
which suppJy them not being copious enough to carry them across the plains. lliese
afford many advantageous spots for farms, making sometimes large bottoms of rich,
moist land. The rolling surface of the hills presents sunny exposures sheltered
from the winds, and having a highly favorable climate and suitable soil, are
considered to be weil adapted to the cultivation of
Calii^a3 probably become the principal vine-growing region of
The uplands bordering the valleys of the large streams are usually wooded with
evergreen oaks, and the intervening plains also are timbered with groves or .belts
of evergreen oaks, among prairie and open land. The surface of the valley consists
of level plaint along the Tulare lakes ana
^ [ 344 ]
San Joaquin river, changing into undulating and rolling ground nearer the foot-hills
of the mountains.
This stream has a deep and tranquil current; its waters are transparent and well
stocked with salmon and other fish; it is navigable for small steamboats about
two hundred and fifty miles; a high range of mountains on the northeast, at an
average distance of forty miles from the river bounds its valley in that direction;
and a range of hills, rather low in the north but becoming lofty in Jthe south,
bounds it on the west, formino- a prairie vale six hundred miles in length, nowhere
less than forty, and often more than one hundred miles in width. This vast plain
extends, indeed, with little interruption, from the bay of San Francisco to the
Columbia, gradually growing wider and wider and more uneven in its surface till
it reaches that river—a space sufficient for an empire.
A very large proportion of its surface is open prairie, covered with grasses
and a species of wild oats; but it is so diversified by lines of trees skirting
the streams by wooded spots, standing out like islands on the green plain, by
arms of timber stretching far down from the mountains' sides, and by extensive
circular groves connected with large forests by a thin fringe of trees, that
of the valley presents the appearance of a vast series of plains of every conceivable
area and shape, from the little wood-bound plantation to the township, the county
and the State, Over this immense plain rove innumerable bands of wild horses,
mules, elk, deer, grisly bears, and other animals. The portion cf the valley
within twenty miles of the river is "wholly uninhabited.
San Diego—its harbor, climate, ^c.
Situated at the foot of a high hill on a sand flat, two miles wide, reaching
from the head of San Diego bay to False bay. A high promontory of nearly the
same width runs into the sea four or five miles, and is connected ty a flat to
the main land. The road to the hide-houses leads eastward of this promontory,
and abreast the frigate Congress and the sloop-of-war Portsmouth were at anchor.
The hide-houses are a collection of storehouses, where the hides of cattle are
packed before being shipped, this article forming the only trade of the little
town.
The bay is a narrow arm of the sea, indenting the land some four or five miles,
easily defended, and having twenty feet of water. At the lowest tide the rise
is said to be five feet, making the greatest depth of water twenty-five feet.
South of Point Conception the climate and general appearance of the country exhibit
a marked change. The coast from that cape tends almost directly east, the face
of the country has a more southern exposure, and is sheltered by ranges of low
mountains from the violence and chilling effects of the northwest winds ; hence
the climate is still more mild <md genial, fostering a richer variety of productions;
differing in kind from those of the northern coast.
Bay of San Francisco, and climate.
i
The bay of San Francisco has been celebrated from the time of its first discovery
as one of t'he finest in the world, and is justly entitled to that •character,
even under the seaman^s view of a mere harbor; but where all
[344] °
the necessary advantages^^^^^£^^^=^^
S^ ^^^^ 1='^ ^=0 a:
^t11111^ rffo^^^^^^ of communication with ^a 'it ^s TntI Tn8 Srtanc^e far above
that of a mere harbor, and de-
' ' rartifiilar notice in any account of maritime California. Its lati-Sl p'os
o"n1 th^f Si, its climate is that of southern Italy ; sel, Snwts upon it
for more than half a century attest its healthmess, bold Sand'mountains give
it grandeur, the extent and fertility ofltsdepen. dant country give it great
resources for agriculture, commerce and popu-
1 rirtTi
^he seaward coast of the Californias, extending through twenty degrees of latitude,
has only twa good harbors. There are, indeed, very many roadsteads and bays where
vessels anchor with considerable safety, and take in and discharge cargoes; but
they are all exposed to somept the prevailing winds. The only well protected
harbor is San Diego, lying m latitude ^3° 17'north; this is land-locked,
without surf, with a smooth hard sand beach, and free from rocks and stones;
but it is much less in extent and far-less valuable to commerce than the bay
of San Francisco. ^
The bay of San Francisco is the glory of the -western world ; its mouth is m
latitade 37° 58', 1he water on the bar is eight fathoms at low tide, the
mountains on either hand rise several hundred feet above the sea, and form fine
landmarks in foggy weather to point out the bar and the channel into the harbor.
The capes at the ocean's edge are about two miles apart, always verdant and refreshing
to the eye; and as you go up the passage the little streams tumbling from the
rocks among the green wood, and the wild game standing out on the cliffs, or
frolicking among the brush, and the seal, barking in the water, give promise
of pleasure and rest from the toils of the sea.
The advantages of the San Diego route, while it would equally facilitate the
intercourse with San Francisco and Monterey, and, if required, with Astoria by^the
coast route, will be made manifest by examining the map where the line of the
road crosses the Colorado river, which opens an intercourse with the gulf of
California, rich in the pearl fisheries, and all the ports of the same. Besides
this, there will be the commerce descending the Rio
Colorado and Gila, the former of which is now navio-able several hundred miles
and the latter many miles.
Between the mouth of the Colorado and the Pacific, there is a region of very
delightful climate. The mountains increase in height, and among them are many
beautiful plains watered with abundant springs and brooks,
and interspersed with many pleasant woodlands, which together render the air
charmingly temperate.
In the country between the Gila and the Colorado there is a great variety
?L T^^-'i Fromthe r^10" of the tw0 rivers> for the Stance of
Z- ^ ^ the COIOrad0 and about one hundred up the Gilu, the climate is exceedmffly
hot m summer and in winter rather frosty.
r-^Z^ forms.the southeastern boundary of the Californias; it ru^in^p^ west of
Santa Fe, in latitude 36° north, and
^Sc^ ^ a dl'st^nce of! aw flve hu^•l^e[l roiles- ^s into the Colorado about
sixty miles from the California gulf. It is a ranid rushing
stream of excellent wat.r ; its banks, like those o'f the Co l^radof in igre^
9 [ 344 ]
degree, are composed of basalt and trap rock, rising perpendiularly, much in
the manner of the palisades on the Hudson. The valleys of the upper branches
of this stream are comparatively rich and beautiful. The lofty mountains, among
which it rises, the highest peaks of which are covered with snow throughout the
year; the bold cliffs which at irregular intervals burst up from the plains,
the conical hills of rich earth clad with forest;
the grass fields covered with wild animals and Indian lodges, present a panoramic
view of the Gila and its neighboring lands, which invite us to expect hereafter
to see them inhabited by a somewhat dense and thriving population,
When we h&ve reached San Francisco, the valley oi Sacramento runnaig north,
opens the way for extending our railroad to Oregon city, or Astoria, as there
is a continuance of this valley between the coast mountains and those of Sierra
Nevada.
"
Until recently," says a, writer, now in that country, (Oregon,) "the
coast range of mountains has been supposed to form the immediate shore of the
Pacific; such is the appearance from the sea, but the fact is otherwise. The
-coast of the Pacific has been explored about eight hundred miles south of the
Columbia river, and for this distance the bold rocky reef, forming the shore
of the Pacific is found to be distant from. the roast range of mowi-tai-'is,
and separated from it by a considerable valley. This valley is from about two
te -twelve miles in width, mostly covered with timber, yet containing many prairies,
some of which are several miles in extent. The soil of the valley is deep, black
and rich.
"
Some prairies are covered with clover and other grasses, but these are more usually
covered with fern, which grows to the height of eight and some say ten feet.
"
Fern lauds have been usually avoided in this country, yet a tall growth of fern
indicates a rick deep soil. "We have frequently noticed that where we have
seen fern growing the rankest, the soil appeared loosest, blackest and richest.
The best garden we havescen in the country was made in a fern patch without manure.
The coast range furnishes the head springs of several small rivers, some of which
cross the valley, while others traverse it north and south. The rivers usually
empty into bays some of which are quite spacious."
By this route we shall get rid of all the mountains north of El Paso del Norte,
and the interruptions of the winter frost, to say nothing of the superior agricultural
character of the country along and on each side of this central route. If your
honorable body will notice the general direction of the main line of the route
on the map annexed, you will see that it runs nearly parallel with the seacoast
and gives the shortest lines to the sea, ports of the. several States on the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Your memorialist has thus sketched an oatline of the plan of international communication
with our extensive country west and east, and will indulge the hope that when
the subject is brought up before your honorable bodies its importance will be
felt and appreciated, and that early measures-may be taken to order such surveys
(if only preliminary) as will enable you to judge of the route that will centralize
the advantages growing out of such a line of commercial wealth, so that every
State in the Vnion'.may, according to their relative geographical position, derive
their proportionate benefit from a branch connection with if.
>
J v -I — ^ * * *
This great work properly belongs to the nation to accomplish; it is emphatically
therefore a national work, because every- State is interested in it. JVo single
State or people should have the control of its operations, it must be the joint
stock of all the States expressed through the act of the general government^
and to identify it as the common property of all the States, and their right
to use its the stock created to build the road.^ guaranteed by the people through
their representatives and senators in Congress assembled, shall be redeemed in
a definite time by the sale of the public liinds on each side of the road appropriated
by Congress- to this end.
[344]
30
The clear revenue from the main stem would then be the common property all the
States, and may be appropriated to any^ o^ecthereafte 1^ be
of all the States, and may be a
donated by Cong.ess;or be distributed among the States in <he ratio of
^the^^^^^ now sp systematized,^ little deception can be practised on- the revenue
from this source, and there would be less obiection to the employment of public
agents here-a settlement of accounts t^nn. nianp at short neriods. But these
are matters on which your hon-
takino- place at short periods. But these are matters on wuiui ^ m/.i-orable*
bodies are better able to pass judgment. The commercial world has, ever since
the discovery of the western continent, been seeking a shorter
passage to the Pacific and to India and China than by doubling Cape Horn or the
Cape of Good Hope. Millions of money have been lavished to effect a northwest
passage to the western ocean without avail ; and failing in this, commercial
Europe has turned its attention to opening a passage through the mountains of
the South American isthmus which divide the two oceans;
but however flattering the scheme appears, no success yet has attended any of
the efforts made to realize this commercial passage across ; and could it be
effected, it could not compete with the facilities offered through our own country
to secure such overland communication with the Pacific.
The isthmuses of Darien, Nicaragua and Tehuantepec are too remote, too far down
south, to accommodate the great demands of commerce Q.OW-
/ •-•-" ^^___ & Jk. ^ *
ing from Europe and from our own country t® the Pacific; and it never would
take this equinoctial route if it had another, not only more direct
but in a healthier clime.
Our proximity with the Pacific ocean would always give us the advantages of its
trade, if we but open a commercial highway through our own country overland to
this ocean, which would enable us to effect the passage in at least the same
time with other routes named ; then shall we make it the interest of all commercial
nations to pass by this route, and thus shall
we become the recipients of this trade and bring all nations into commerce with
us.
Since the introduction of fleam as a commercial agent, land conveyance has been
rendered as cheap as water transportation, and the safety and despatch which
attend the former will render its use more general, and for safety to he preferred,
Even should a ship canal be made through one of the southern isthmuses named,
the preference would be given the more northern route here proposed, on account
of the advantages it would possess, both on the ground of economy, despatch and
safety. When we consider the loss of time consequent upon sailing a distance
of four thousand miles, and twenty days additional steaming, via the Panama railroad
or canal, or by Cape Horn the present route, a distance of twenty-four thousand
miles, and the saving of one hundred and twenty days sail, (steaming such a distance
being too expensive,) we must be convinced of the vast advantages derived to
commerce by opening a route through our own country. (See table ot nautical distances
of trade—Appendix }i.)
We shall say nothing of those benefits which would secure to us as a people,
oy Having this vast trade passing through our cities, for each of these pwts
would become the depositories of this trade. Under this view of the subject,
we should not delay a moment to enter upon this glorious work especially as ample
means are at hand to insure ifs- execution at an early dav. the wisdom and patriotism
of the national councils are invoked to apply
U [344]
these means, and thus make tins highway, what it really should be, a national
work.
The public lands through which this road would pass, would be amply sufficzent
toreimburse all expenses incurred on the work, and when it went into operation
it would sustain itself. The expediency of appropriating such public lands for
this purpose, would be not'only conceded on the ground of its national importance,
but of the value of the commerce it -would secure. A stock based upon the sale
of so much of these public lands as may be required would realize at once the
necessary funds to.carry on and complete the work, which may be effected in five
years by the employment of ten thousand men—(for it has been ascertained
that five thousand men can complete one hundred and fifty miles of railroad in
one year/ The cost of constructing seventeen hundred miles of rail road here
woulc be by estimate thirty-four million dollars. This will require the appropriation
of a strip of the public domain of forty miles in width which will bring on sale,
after the road is completed, fifty million dollars. The value of the public lands
on this central route greatly exceeds that of those in more northern latitudes—and
would be immediately sought after; the public treasury therefore w^ould realize
from the consummation of this work seventy millions of dollars by the sale of
lands now comparatively worthless.
For the information of your honorable bodies the following particulars have been
collected. When tlie committee of Roads and Canals of the House of Representatives
(Doc. No, 31, 3d session, 27th Congress) had this subject under consideration,
the following facts were elicited. Our Oregon territory then was the point or
attention :
"
The distance from the mouth of the Kiir.sa.s, says Captain Freniont, to the South
Pass of the Ror/cy Mountain.'! by the usual route is one thousand miles; from
this to Fort Perce, near the junction with the Lewis river with the Columbia,
one thousand miles, from this point to the Pacific, three hundred and fifty miles,
making the whole distance twenty-three hundred and fifty miles, to which must
be added the distance from the Mississippi to the mouth of the Kansas, three
hundred and fifty mile?, and we find the result twenty-seven hundred miles. The
highest point on this route, to be overcome is about eighty-two hundred ^feet.
This point is about one hundred and forty miles west of the southwest pass upon
the ridge dividing the waters flowing into the Gulf of California, from those
flowing into the Great Salt lake. The elevation of the south pass dividing the
waters of the Gulf of California and those of the Nebraska, is stated upon the
same authority to be seventy-five
hundred feet above tide."
In reviewing this route, Colonel Abert remarks:
"
The difficulties of the route would probably not be greater from Mis-win until
it should approach the Roci-y Motmtaws, and there these mountains would, no doubt,
present the difficulties common to those regions, and the necessity of numerous
and extensive surveys. From the difficult character of this country the surveys
would be, necessarily, greatly increased in distance, Col. Abert puts it down
at 4,186 miles, and the average progress of the work from the same causes, but
three miles pr.r day. This estimate of the engineer force, to complete their
survey of thia route in one season, is $42,240, besides contingencies.''
From the statement of Col. Abert, whose knowledge and good judgment on the subject
under consideration no one questions, we must be convinced of the superior claims
which the central or El Pa&o route presents. In the first place as respects
distance^ from the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean the difference is as 1700
to 2700, or one thousand miles in favor of the El Paso route. Second. In respect
to the geological sfr ucture of the country, there is no comparison, for on the
central route there would be no mountain, properly so called, intervening in
the entire route to San Francisco, and but a slight one on the route to San Diego.
Third. Besides these advantages
[ 344 ] 12
this central route passes through a latitude of perpetual verdure, free from
the mt^ motions of frost or snow, to which the more northern route is sub-ect
for half the year. Fourth. The difference of expense in the construction of the
two routes would amount to nearly a. moiety in favor of the k.1 Paso route The
Missouri and Southwest pass route would cost, at twenty thousand dollars per
mile, fifty-four millions of dollars ^ the central route, at twenty thousand
dollars per mile, thzrty four mzllzons of dollars, ihe difference of cost in
the grading between the two routes would reduce this.
last item about four or five thousand dollars per mile.
Expense of Surveying the El Poso route.
It is more than probable that the actual extent of ground which would require
to be surveyed within the United States Territory would not exceed one. thousand
miles, because the greater portion of the country to be passed is prairie land,
and with regard to the daily progress of the parties of surveyors, it would be
more than double the distance named in fhe Missouri route, or six miles a day.
Col. Abert estimates the cost of our party, detailed for this service, at eight
hundred and eighty dollars per month,. allowing an average of twenty days service
in the month, then at six miles a day progress, the party will have surveys d
one hundred and twenty miles in this time, and in six months seven hundred and
twenty miles. But, to insure an efficient force to complete the survey in one
season, the service of two parties will be required, whose expenses will be ten
thousand five hundred and sixty dollars, and including contingencies, say twelve
thousand five hundred dollars, or but one-fourth of the expenses on the other
route.
The economy and superior local advantages possessed by this work are so manifest,
that your honorable bodies will join^with the undersigned in? giving it a decided
preference to every other route. The appeal can be made in truth to every member
of your honorable bodies that no route for this great highway of commerce could
compare with this route, which would subserve the common interests of each and
every State in the Union greater than this, opening as it will equality of commercial
advantage to every State, according to the relative geographical position of
each ; no other route can thus equalize the. commercial advantages to the States
to-this, as by reference to the map will be made manifest. The great artery of
the country, the noble Mississippi, is now being approached and intersected by
numerous branching railroads from all the Atlantic States, and their termini
are favorable to the central route beyond the Mississippi to the Pacific; all
the northern and eastern railroads concentering at !^t. Louis, and those south
intersecting at Memphis. Every inhabitant of the Mississippi valley must feel
a deep interest in this subject and wul think seriously upon it. Situate as it
were midway between the two oceans, they can fear nothing of the result, whatever
may be the direction given this route ; but they can and will jud^e disinterestedly
on the route most proper for this road to take to subserve the general interests
of the States zncontradzstmction to those ofbut 0710 or two.~ In " Thomson^
Recollections of Mexico," we find the following remarks in relation to the
importance of this subject.
thcn^^r^1"80^0^"'1;^^ oak?^, ^ ? I-ld'- ;lDd ]ta 'llol-c's are ^-ercdwith
enough of timber (a species oT livo
a onVas^a ^a8'1,?^^! I! 'lnanwtTe ^ of ^\ a cliiii.itc, he would^ first SUCH
one as Lahforma, il lie h;zd ever been there. There is no portion o( the western
country thtit
13 [ 344 ]
produces all the grains a^ well. I have hppn i-nVl w mnr^ ^,.
Sirely relied, that ho W k,wv,i whole fie dst^o^^n^^^^^^^^^^ whorn1 en-not state
it. Tlie ivliole Hicy or ihe county ^^(p^^^^^lt? solncrcdlb]e that I will
sugar, rico and cotton find there tlieir ow-co^ c],t/''VT ^ff1-0^ "''Id.
CT,^. o/- ^ /^ ..•/... ii;ive be.n discoTcH°d£e .i»d ^ „„ ^T^ ""^
i1110 ''^^ tbc source of.lliu l.^est profits ; and more 111-^^^-11'^^^
with uotliing intervening but tlie calm ;uid ?torinles3 Pacific ocea^ '
The distance from the head of navigation on the Arkansas and Red rivers to a
navigable point of the waters of the gulf of California is not more than five
or six hundred miUs. Let that distance be overcome by a railroad, and what a
vista opens to the prosperity and power of our country. I have no doubt that
the time will come when New 0-leans
will be the greatest city in the world. That period will be incalculably hastened
by the completion of this great work.
Your memorialist before concluding, would present to the consideration of your
honorable bodies the association of a telegraphic^communication to the Pacific
with this plan of the road-way. Your memorialist brought this part of the subject
before your honorable bodies in 1848, (Senate, Mis. Doc. No. 51, 1st session
30th Congress,) and as its importance has increased .with the improvements in
this mode of communication, your memorialist would recommend that in the event
of your honorable bodies ordering a survey of a route or routes for this road,
to connect a line of telegraph wires with such survey or surveys; the advantages
of which would be of incalculable importance to the work in its progress. The
cost of fixing a line of these wires would be but trifling compared with the
value of the service rendered by them, that there should be no hesitation in
their adoption, (The expense of fixing a single wire for operation is only from
fifty to sixty dollars a mile.) By means of this silent messenger the proceedings
of every day along the line will be known to every State; and to render security
to the line Indian guards may be taught and charged with its oversight.
In the final consummation of this great work, and when laying down of but one
track of the road, the telegraphic wires might then assume their permanent position
with the rail. The rail now most approved of for these roads is that in the form
of the letter U, [\ reversed, and which is •well fitted to receive the
wires in the cavity formed underneath—the wire being previously coated
with gutta percha to check any outer metallic influences. By this means the accidents
and mishaps to which the wires under the present system are subject will be remedied,
and a perfect communication of intelligence be formed from one end of our country
to the other, free from interruptions of every kind. Thus by this lightning speeded
agent, the merchant of Boston may be made acquainted with the daily transactions
of his agent on the shores of the Pacific, and those imposztzons of trade which
once prevailed in the commercial world be banzshed as the variations of exchange
and value of goods or produce would be open to
all alike.
Respectfully submitted by your memorialist.
Engineer and architect.
CITY OF WASHINGTON, D. C., 1852.
L 344 ]
14
APPENDIX A.
Extract from letter of Colonel J. 3. Mart. (1849.)
It is generally admitted that, in the present condition of California and Oreffon-I
mean in reference to delays and difficulties of commumcation---they cannot be
expected to remain as parts of our Union. What, then is the remedy'' Is it not
to remove these difficulties and delays.1' Certainly, you will say. Well, then,
what method so effectual, so certain of success, as a railroad? It is not a mere
question about a road; it is a question about our Uni©n—a question
upon which our greatest statesmen may well expand their strength, and hope for
anything as they befriend it; aye, and
fear everything as they are found to oppose it.
But what, you may ask, are my particular notions about this road, its
trace, &c. I will briefly explain them.
The road should involve the following general considerations:
1st. It should be as short a route as the peculiarities of the country will
admit.
3d, It should be as diffusive as possible in its advantages—a main artery
of the great political body, admitting of branches in every direction.
3d. ft should be a road for the whole year, and not a mere summer or seven months'
road, with all its facilities closed for the winter.
4th. It should pass through a good soil—an inhabited or inhabitable country,
possessing from climate and soil attractions te settlers, so that its advantages
would be felt, and its cost be compensated in the enhanceiE value and occupation
of adjacent lands.
5th. It should lead to our northern and eastern coasi, and to our southern and
eastern coast.
6th. It should take advantage, as far as practicable, of existing railroads.
These appear to me to be the general considerations, which, as far as practicable,
should be fulfilled in such a road.
We -will assume as the starting point on the Pacific the harbor of San Diego,
because it is a frontier harbor and will have to be fortified ; because it is
the best harbor on our Pacific coast, that of San Francisco alone excepted, and
because from this point the road is to be easily continued to any part of the
coast, (through the valley of the Sacramento,*) and to be made an efficient element
in the defence of that coast.
From San Diego it will have to pursue, generally, Emory's trace of General Kearny's
march, as exhibited in Emory's report.
From San Diego to the crossing of the Colorado will probably be about
two hundred miles by the railroad trace. At this vicinity there will no doubt
be a very clever town, for, at this vicinity, the railroad will have to open
its fostering arms to the trade of the valley of the Colorado, and to the vast
commercial resources of the bay of California and of the southern coast of Mexico,
which will, no doubt, prefer a port in this vicinity to the
^aiTfo^a more dangerous Ilavi^tion of the Pacific coast of Lower
^This is the received designation of the valley formed by the^ameuto'andSan'Joa^
15 [ :'44 ] ^^^^ i:;^^ ^^ -T .of
Rio del Norte, witninour bounflar/^^S. t01nts^eJ%^^^ its facilities are opened
to the whole valley of that river, by ^oS^^^
below and at seasons from above, or by a branch ralLad l^SanT
Fe. There cannot be much choice iifthe route thus far, asm^disfal":
it is essential for a military as well as commercial road
From the Rio del Norte the road will have to pursue its course through Texas
to the Mississippi. Various notions exist about the course of the road through
Texas, and we are much in want of information on this part of the subject; but
keeping in mind the general principles before indicated and ca ling to aid the
knowledge we have of that country, I am disposed to think that, after crossing
the Rio del Norte, the road will have to tend somewhat southwardly, in order
to turn the Guadaloupe range of mountains,* then passing through San Antonio,
Bastrop, or La Grange, Washington, &c., to Nacogdoches.
By this route, the road will pass through a highly valuable part of Texas and
communicate with the principal rivers of that State at boatable points,. from
which it will have access to the ports of this State on the gulf by means of
these rivers, or by branch roads.
At Nacogdoches will probably be the best point for the two great branches—one
leading to the northeastern coast of the United States, the other to the southeastern.!
The northern branch will probably find its better course to cross the Red river
at tlie Great Bend or its vicinity, then crossing the Arkansas at Little Rock,
pursue its most direct course to St. Louis; then crossing the river, to pursue
the most direct favorable course which can be obtained south of
the great lakes to Pittsburgh.
From Pittsburgh, ils connexion north and east may be said to be already accomplished.
At St. Louis, the road will open all its facilities to the
upper Mississippi and to the Missouri and their tributaries.
From Nacogdoches the southern branch will probably take the most direct route
to the Mississippi, distant about one hundred and seventy-five miles, at a point
near to and below the mouth of Red river. On arriving at this river, (the Mississippi,)
the facilities of the road are open to the trade of that river at all seasons
of the year, south to New Orleans and north to the Ohio. The crossing of this
river should be by a ferry. A. good steamboat ferry will be found to oppose no
obstacles to the intercourse, and will admit of extension to any favorable point
on the opposite
side, up or down the river, , We will suppose for a moment this point to be Vicksburg;
from Vicks-
W to Washington by probable railroad trace is about 1,230 miles, of which 760
are already a made and used railroad; and this route has now in existence its
communications with Savannah, Ga_, Charleston, S. L., Wilmineton, N. C., Norfolk
or Norfolk harbor, at Portsmouth Va., and other branch roads are in contemplation
and being made, which will accom-
^iTiTsaid there is a very good route on the northern flank of the Guadaloupe
mountains, . it 1.1 sam mere is a v"^ &"..,_ -p. .1.1 Mnrtp near
our southern boundary on that in a course somewhat direct from the Rio del JNorte,
near um B" nrobiiblv near old
river, to the head of steamboat navigation on the Red river of Louisiana, probably
^TyTobably be better to have this grand junction! urther^ck inT^^ waflh-ngtoD,
and from thence conduct the southern route more directly to tho Mississippi.
[344 ] 16
nlish connexions with other harbors of the coast, and with Pensacola on the
r I/'
^Now .Hv either of these routes, the St. l.ouis route or the Vicksburg rnnte
a traveller can go from Washington, the capital of the Union to San Diego, on
the Pacific, in less than seven days ; that is, about six days
-md a half, at an average rate of twenty miles the hour.
All will be within our own territory—all will be under our own control.
All the mon°y expended in the construction of the road will be for the benefit
of our citizens ; and all those great accessory benefits of additional value
to the soil, the creation of cities and towns, encouragement to emigration, &c., &c.,
will enure to .the benefit of our own country and^ of our own citizens. In a
word, all the advantages of such a communication,
direct and indirect will be our own.
The road from Washington to Vicksburg will, without doubt, be soon
completed, by the same kind of company and State efforts, with which existing
parts have been made.
The question, then, of interest, is the construction of the road from the Mississippi
to the Pacific. At a meeting held in Boston, in reference to this road, in April
last, it seemed to be a favorite scheme to have one grand* charter for the road.
The right of the United States to grant a charter for such a purpose, within
the limits of a State, would perhaps be questioned. But the right of the United
States to aid the chartered companies of States for such purposes has the sanction
of precedent in the United States subscription to the Louisville and Portland
canal, the Delaware and Chesapeake canal, the Potomac and .Ohio canal, and the
Dismal Swamp canal; and in the exercise of this right, the subscription could
be on prescribed conditions of dimensions and strength of road, and of privileges
to transport the mail and munitions of war free of charge.
.But the right of the United States to grant a charter for such a purpose from
the Rio del Norte to the Pacific is, I believe, without question in reference
to constitutional power, as within those limits there is no organized State government;
and this charter could be granted on prescribed conditions and proportional aid.
Should the course of a charter be preferred, some plan like that just indicated
could bs pursued. Or the United States could make the road from the Rio del No;'e
to the Pacific, under numerous legal precedents of constructing military roads
within territories, and there need be no fears that
the connecting hnks from the Rin del Norte to Washington would be loafr deiayed. "
But the great question is the road. Any plan that is proper can be pursued in
making it; and a great preliminary question is, the surveys in reference to he
road. Upon this last, I believe there are no conni^
vevTd5^ ^TT t0 the right of the united states t0 ^horize the ^. vey and to meet
its expenses.
17
[344]
APPENDIX B.
for^eSr"8 table froM the map ofJames B- Moore' Es(^•' wi" be
useful
From'
To
Miles.
« 4
5,775 6,575 7,875 9,585
10,960 6,775 8,160 2,100
10,660 6,150 6,480 5,660 5,960
14,300 14,175 5,100 3,960 3,275 6,500 4,160 1,800 3,960 2,225 1,960 5,160 4,700
4,850 650 1,550 850
San Francisco (or San Diego) Don>....,-ii-do,...
Do,,n,,..,.ndo....
Doi,...., mi.do,...
Do,.,*,., ,-.,,do. i., Do,m,.......do,..,
Do.,,.,. n,»,ido.,,. Do,...».., ....do....
Do..,......,». do,...,
Doin...t,....do,,».,
Do.,.....»,., do....,
D0i.»...»...ndo.,.,, Do,,i.t,i.....do,...,
Do.,...< n,,,,do....,
Do,, i......,, ,do,...,
Do..,,,,, .....do....
Do...m, ,-...do..,», Do.,,>-..,-,1»do,,,,,
New York,.,..» n.,do...,. Do....««....1.do,««.i
Do, ,,*!,- n.,.do...». Do...,i* n•..,do...,, Do.*........••do»....
Do,,,mi.-,>.do,..., Do, •, ,n , * •• .do, i,,,
New Orleans i,,,,,.. do,,»., Do> n,. - -., n »do.,,,. Do,>,.n,.-»•.do.,..,
Do,... -. • n>* .d0t i. , Do......,.••-.do..»..
Shanghae
Canton ,,
Singapore
Calcutta ,
Persian Gulf.,,..,,....,
Manilla n..,,,,,...,,,,,
Batavia .,,,,.,,..,,».,.,
Sandwich Islands i,,,,,.,, Bombay., »,..,.,,..,,,<>,
KTortheast end of Australia Sidney ,-.,.,...,.,...,., Society Islands ,, 11 •.,,.
n New Zealand m ,.,.*.,,,, New York via Gape Horn. -1 -,, Liverpool.,, m ..,,,
n..,.,,, Valparaiso .....*......«.«.*,.
Lima ,,,,,.,,, i • i..,...,,,, n Panama, .....•««..»._,.«.««.
Via Panama, ......*••...«,...
Via Tehuantepec .............
New Orleans 14 ......»....*..«
Liberia ....«...»«.•.....«.•••
Panama,,n.•,,•,...•..-..in Tehuantepec -,. i.-,....--,»..
Rio Janeiro ........ i «.....•••
Liverpool,,.. n.. i • m. m m Liberia ....*...i••...«««..
.1.
Savanna «.•..«..*••««.-n - - -• Panama.
11., - -, ,-.*»..-•».-*-Tehuantepec ,,,, i -, i.., m • -»
From-
Difference.
To England. To Oregon.
Bombay ,.,, i,. •. n • m • Calcutta ..,.,.,.»».»...< Shanghae
,...,.<..,....-Jeaso Islands*,^ ..,#.-.. Singapore... n. »•*.. •»•• Batavia.
.,,,.»>-*..•-•--Northeast end of Australia
«
•
Miles. 11,600 12,275 14,400 15,660 12,300 12,000 13,660
Sliles. 9,680 8,700 5,000 8,660 7,020 7,450 6,120
Miles.
1,870
3,575 9,400 12,000 6,280 4,650 7,440
Noia.-The above distances are calculated for nautical miles.
Rep.—2
T
t&