iy CONTENTS. 



I age. 



Letter of Governor I. I. Stevens to Dr. George Suckley. Camp Washington, October 29, 1853 



Letter of Governor I. I. Stevens to Lieutenant John Mullau. Cauip Washington, October 29, 1853 



Letter of Governor I. I. Stevens to Mr. A. W. Tiukhaui. Camp Washington, October 29, 1853 69 



Letter of Governor 1. 1. Stevens to the Secretary of War, stating progress of the exploration. Olympia, W. T., De 

 cember 19, 1853 



Letter of the Secretary of War to Governor 1. 1. Stevens. Washington, December 1, 1853 72 



PAKT II. 



CHAPTER I. 



Instructions of Secretary of War, dated Washington, April 8, 1853 73 



CHAPTER II. 



4 Reid explored by diflerent parties 76 



CIIAFTER III. 



General description of region examined and results accomplished. General salubrity of the region 81 



CHAPTER IV. 



Railroad practicability of the section to the base of the mountain. Geographical importance of the Bois des Sioux. 

 Navigability of the Missouri 83 



CHAPTER V. 

 Details of excavations and embankments. Supplies of wood, water, stone, and other materials 89 



CHAPTER VI. 

 Railroad practicability of the Rocky and Cceur d Alene mountains. Description of the ranges and of the several passes. 96 



CHAPTER VII. 

 General geographical description of the Rocky mountains 102 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 General characteristics of the Great Plain of the Columbia, and navigability of the Columbia river 107 



CHAPTER IX. 

 Description of the Cascade mountains and the pass of the Columbia river Ill 



CHAPTER X. 

 Resources and geographical importance of Puget sound, and its relation to the trade of Asia 1J3 



CHAPIER XI. 

 Railroad practicability of the Snoqualrne Pass 117 



CHAPTER XII. 

 Resume of the line from the base of the Rocky mountains to Puget sound - 121 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 Comparison of the distances on several routes 126 



CHAPTER XIV. 

 Meteorology of the field explored 128 



CHAPTER XV. 

 Plan of construction and details of the roade. -Use of wagon-road in connexion with railroad. Estimate of cost 141 



