98 ROUTE NEAR THE THIRTY SECOND PARALLEL. 



the Gila traversed by the route, although the soil is fertile; nor is it found on the Colorado 

 desert, or on the crossing of the southwest coiner of the Great Basin, &c. 



The soil of the river valleys is fertile, but for cultivation needs irrigation. After leaving, for 

 the first time, ihe body of the productive soil of Texas, we have the valleys of the Pecos, Rio 

 Grande, Gila, and Colorado, portions of whose areas possess a fertile soil; the sum ot these 

 exceeds 2,300 square miles. That portion of California west and south of the coast range has a 

 soil and climate which will admit of a dense population. 



GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF THE ROUTE. 



The mineral wealth of the countries near the 32d parallel has been indicated by others, and 

 needs no other mention. 



The proposed road passes near the northern borders of the Mexican States, or departments of 

 Chihuahua and Sonera. They extend noithward from latitude 27 or 2S P to our boundary. 

 The surface is generally table-lands, affording good grazing; the climate is agreeable. The s &amp;gt;il 

 of the river valleys is fertile, capable of producing, when irrigated, wheat, cotton, &c. Their 

 wealth is principally in cattle i arms and mines of gold and silver. The area is 280,000 square 

 miles. The population exceeds 300,000. 



Although this route passes near the frontier of Mexico, yet it is not liable to objection from this 

 circumstance, since we control the frontier, and the construction of the road would probably break 

 the power of the Indian tribes. 



It passes through or near territories having already large populations; that of New Mexico, 

 according to the report of Captain Pope, being 50,000; and that of Chihuahua and Sonora, as 

 above stated, being more than 300,000. 



The chief advantage of this route is, that for the space of 1,100 or 1,200 miles, the usual item 

 of great expense in railroads is in a great measure avoided, there being no necessity to prepare 

 an expensive road-bed except in a few instances in the passage of the mountain chains. Drain 

 ing and ballasting are also dispensed with at the same time. Over the remaining portions of the 

 route 418 miles if to San Pedro, and 839 miles if to San Francisco the ground is generally 

 favorable to the construction of the road-bed. 



The mountain passes of the route are generally favorable; those west of the Rio Grande 

 requiring no difficult engineering for location through them, and but little rock excavation or 

 expensive embankment and side cutting. The Guadalupe and Hueco passes are more difficult. 

 The short tunnel on the San Fernando Pass, and those that may be needed in the New Pass, 

 will not be found difficult in iheir execution. 



The climate throughout the route is salubrious, the heat due its southern latitude being mod 

 erated by the elevation of the table-lands. On the Colorado desert it is torrid, but not un 

 healthy, and west of the Sierra Nevada and coast range is celebrated for health and agreea- 

 bleness. 



From a consideration of these favorable circumstances, and after a close examination of all 

 the sources of increased cost of construction, from the peculiarities of situation, climate, and 

 geological and topographical formation, I am of opinion that the road may be built as a first class 

 road, in regard to superstructure, rail, &c., and equipped sufficiently for the business that may 

 be reasonably expected, for a sum that will not probably exceed $45,000 per mile. 

 The following estimate is submitted, including depots and equipment: 



ESTIMATE. 



From Fulton, on the Red river, to the Llano Estacado, 449 miles, at $35,000 per 

 mile, 25 per cent, being added to the cost at eastern prices for one-half the dis 

 tance; over the Llano Estacado, 125 miles, at $35,000 per mile, peculiarities 

 of construction having been considered, and 50 per cent, at cost at eastern 



