92 NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. 



The red cedar, in small quantities, grows both above and below Fort Union. A good deal of 

 valuable white oak can be obtained from Red river. From all these sources I estimate that the 

 road can be fitted with its superstructure, and with good materials, and be supplied with fuel tor 

 at least six years running time, lull operation, and from its various connexions could indefinitely 

 extend this period, but with considerable expense for transportation. Coal, according to Dr. 

 Owen, exists in the lower part of Minnesota and in Iowa; and while our exploration has ascer 

 tained the existence of an inferior coal in Mouse River valley, the information obtained there 

 makes it probable that a better coal is to be found in that region. 



Stone for masonrv is also scarce, and but little is needed. The frequency of the granite 

 boulders will be of service in the building of culverts, and to some degree may aid in constructing 

 the small amount of bridge abutments. Building-stone in abundance can be obtained from near 

 the Butte Maison de Chien, and possibly the sandstone of Mouse river will be found of value. 



At Mouse, Shayenne, Bois des Sioux, and Wild Rice rivers, but with better facility at Red river, 

 all the materials for good bricks are obtained, and it may be found cheaper and better to use brick 

 masonry in the neighboring bridge and culvert works. 



Water can, by reservoirs and unimportant aqueducts, be introduced at any point of the line 

 required. The numerous small lakes extending along the greater part of the distance will, 

 in this way, be of service. 



A little east from the second crossing of the Shayenne were observed the first indications of 

 approach to the &quot; salt-water region.&quot; Throughout this region, extending from this point to the 

 Mouse River valley, small ponds and lakes are to be found, (brackish and slightly salt) and 

 frequently with white salt incrustations of small amount on their borders. More abundant than 

 these salt-water lakes, and constantly intermixed with them, are the small fresh-water ponds 

 and lakes, occurring quite as often as is desirable either for travelling or railroad purposes. 

 With this abundant supply no unusual construction or expense will be required in establishing 

 watering-places. With noon and night halts at intervals averaging less than ten miles distance, 

 there was never a deficiency of fresh-water. 



Prairie fires should be provided against by side-ditching. The grass is not tall and heavy, and 

 with proper provision no injury to the wood need be anticipated from this source. 



Proceeding up the Missouri, from the mouth of the Great Muddy river to the entrance of 

 Milk river, the railroad line, for near 180 miles, follows up the favorable valley of this latter 

 stream ; then leaving it, passes on to the prairies, and so continues until within a few miles of 

 the mountain pass; crossing in succession Marias, Teton, and Sun rivers, with the tributaries of 

 Dearborn river. The route considered enters the mountains by the pass which, in our survey, 

 has* been termed Lewis and Clark s Pass; the more northern of the two opening into the 

 valley of Blackfoot river, or by &quot; Cadotte s Pass&quot; a second entrance into that valley. 



Missouri river is, in the vicinity of Fort Union, some four hundred and fifty yards wide, and, 

 so far as followed by the route, has a wide bottom of from two to eight miles across. The river 

 is well wooded with the sweet cotton-wood, and has a small quantity of red cedar. On the 

 south side rise the Mauvaises Terres hills, making up to some three hundred to five hundred feet 

 height, whose name well defines their character bare, and broken into every irregularity, 

 washed with gulleys and ravines, and yet whose silvery glistening front, with its blended light 

 and shade, is often a landscape feature of wonderful beauty. On the north side, also, the bluffs 

 generally rise abruptly, and a few miles back of the river the plains attain an elevation above it 

 of from one hundred to three hundred feet. A coarse soft sandstone crops out often in the edge 

 of the bluffs, and apparently underlies the whole surface extending to the upper Missouri above 

 Fort Benton. The bottom-lands are almost flat, descending slightly towards the river. The 

 Missouri has probably but a small fall a fall which, according to the barometric observations, 

 does not exceed one foot per mile. 



By the various windings of the route, Milk river enters the Missouri some one hundred and 



