CHAPTER I. 



ROUTE NEAR THE FORTY-SEVENTH AND FORTY-NINTH PARALLELS OF NORTH LATITUDE. 



Although the report of Governor I. I. Stevens of his exploration of the northern route is 

 clearly and forcibly written, yet, as all the facts bearing upon a particular portion of the route 

 are not always to be found in one place, I have thought that it would facilitate the review to 

 recapitulate the leading characteristics of the railroad route proposed, with such additional 

 investigations and opinions as appeared to be necessary. The great extent of ground examined, 

 the number of subjects treated, and the voluminous character of the report, seemed to require 

 this somewhat laborious process. 



The general direction and position of the extreme northern route is mainly determined by 

 the following considerations : 



1. From the great northern bend of the Missouri, (lat. 48 30 , about,) near the mouth of 

 White-earth river, to Council Bluffs, (lat. 43 30 ,) the river flows in a general southeast direc 

 tion. Throughout this portion of its course the country on either side is generally rough and 

 broken; to the east lies the Coteau du Missouri, a high, rolling prairie, and to the west a rough 

 and rugged country (including the &quot; Mauvaises Terres,&quot; and excepting the smooth table-land 

 divide between the Yellow Stone and Missouri) extends to the base of the mountains. To the 

 east and north, the Coteau du Missouri sinks into the prairie, and near the parallel of 49 

 can be completely turned. The northern route should, therefore, seek the shortest practicable 

 line between this point and the navigable waters of the Mississippi. St. Paul, at the head of 

 navigation of the Mississippi, appears the most suitable eastern terminus of the road. The 

 manner in which these two points are connected will be discussed hereafter. 



2. After passing the Coteau du Missouri, the valley of the Missouri and its tributaries, in 

 direction and acclivity, furnish the best approach to the Rocky mountains, the passes of which, 

 near the sources of the Missouri, in latitude 47, have an elevation of about 6,000 feet, 

 being nearly 1,500 feet lower than the Great South Pass. 



3. The Rocky mountains once crossed, the route to the Pacific is then determined by the 

 course of the tributaries of the Columbia. 



Finally, the navigable character of the Missouri, of the Columbia, and of the great lakes, 

 as well as the Mississippi all of which can be made to aid in the construction of this road 

 gives to it, at first glance, a character of great importance. Its objectionable features are also 

 apparent in its high northern latitude, and consequent severity of climate, which greatly 

 detracts from the importance of the aid from navigation by obstructing the rivers with ice, 

 and in the long intervals through which labor in the open air must be suspended, and, finally, 

 in its contiguity to the soil of a powerful foreign sovereignty. 



The northern railroad route may be said to commence at St. Paul, in about latitude 45, 

 at the head of steamboat navigation of the Mississippi. The road ascends the left bank of the 

 Mississippi, passing over fertile prairies or oak uplands to Little Falls, the best point for crossing 

 the river, a distance of 109 miles, without rock-cutting, and with light grades, seldom exceed 

 ing ten feet per mile. For structures, both of wood and stone, the material is good, and near 

 at hand. 



Crossing the Mississippi river with 325 feet of bridge, the line is directed to the prairie of 

 the Bois des Sioux, an extensive flat plain. Between this and the Mississippi is a high, rolling 

 prairie, forming part of the divide between the waters of Hudson s bay and those of the Mis- 



