16 INSTRUCTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEER. 



and fifty (150) feet; thence bridge span of two hundred (200) feet, over main channel of the 

 river. The actual width of the main channel here is one hundred and seventy-five (175) feet, 

 and the whole crossing the best upon the Mississippi from St. Paul s to Fort Ripley. The 

 boulders of the hill-sides in this vicinity afford good granite for light masonry. The magazine 

 at Fort Ripley is built of these boulders ; but they are not abundant, neither do they furnish 

 blocks of sufficient size for exposed bridge abutments. The material for this purpose must be 

 brought from Sauk rapids, thirty-two miles below. The country on the east side of the Missis 

 sippi, from St. Paul s to Little Falls, presents facilities for railway construction I have never seen 

 exceeded; one hundred and twenty miles of level, or slightly rolling gravel plain, supersedes 

 all necessity for ballasting, and affords peculiar advantages for forming an embankment road 

 bed the very best mode of construction for guarding against the snows and frosts of a northern 

 climate. 



Passing west from Little Falls, I find no serious difficulty to encounter over a route which 

 had been represented to me as very severe. The country, to be sure, is broken, the ground 

 springy, and the cost of moving material will evidently exceed that of the line east of the Mis 

 sissippi. There is a greater quantity of earth to be excavated, and quite an increase in the 

 amount of culvert masonry ; still the surface presents a favorable aspect for good alignment. 

 No cut will exceed twenty feet. There is no appearance of ledge, and by exercising some degree 

 of care in the location an excellent route can be obtained. 



I have no knowledge of this line extending beyond Long Prairie. It is represented to me as 

 broken into sharp ridges, very swampy, and quite thickly wooded. 



Summing up this matter, it seems evident that the proper course of the survey would be from 

 St. Paul s up the eastern shore of the Mississippi to Sauk rapids, thence near the Red River 

 trail towards the head- waters of the Sauk. Sufficiently reliable information is afforded to prove 

 to us that a very excellent route can thus be secured. 



The passage of the Mississippi is made at a point that does not interfere with steamboat navi 

 gation. It affords all necessary advantages to a communication with Lake Superior, is in a 

 favorable position as regards an eastern connection, and will thus insure the proper direction 

 of capital in the location of private lines. The crossing at Little Falls is nearer a direct route 

 from the Pacific to Lake Superior, and therefore worthy of serious notice ; yet it is evident that 

 the interests of private companies should not be neglected, and that those operations should be 

 fostered which, in efforts to develop the resources of this rich inland country, will add their 

 share to the importance of our great enterprise, and aid in bringing it to a successful termina 

 tion. Passing through a country already forward in vegetation, and presenting every facility 

 for expediting progress of survey, the route at Sauk rapids is superior to all others in the fea 

 tures required by your letter of instructions. 



Submitting this result of my examinations, I remain, with respect, your obedient servant, 



F. W. LANDER. 



Gov. ISAAC I. STEVENS, 



Chief N. P. R. R. Exploring Expedition. 



CAMP PIERCE, May 31, 1853. 



DEAR SIR: You will immediately proceed to St. Paul s, and at once commence the survey of 

 a railroad route, and proceed northward on the east side of the Mississippi river, crossing said 

 river at the Sauk rapids, making a reconnaissance of the country over which you pass, and 

 directing particularly your attention to the examination of the river crossings. 



At Sauk rapids you will direct your attention to the investigation of the best method of, and 

 securing the means for, the crossing of the main party, which will follow in a few days. You 

 are authorized to employ men, secure boats, and to procure the best means to accomplish this 



