Office of the Chief of Engineers, 



Washington, D. C, May 17, 1875. 

 Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report by Captain (now Colonel and Brevet 

 Brigadier-General) James H. Simpson, of his Explorations in the Great Basin of Utah in 1859, 

 with a view of recommending that it be printed. 



It contains much valuable information concerning the geography, topography, geology, 

 meteorology, zoology, ethnology, history, and statistics of the country through which Captain 

 Simpson explored a route from Camp Floyd, in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, to Carson City, 

 Nev., which was afterward known as " Simpson's route." 



This was an original route, i. e., it had not been before explored, and as it shortened the dis- 

 tance from the East to San Francisco more than two hundred and fifty (250) miles, it was at once 

 adopted by the overland mail, the pony-express and the telegraph. 



The report also contains a description of an exploration for a wagon-road from the valley of 

 the Tinipanogos Eiver, over the Uintah Mountains, to the Green Biver, and a translation from the 

 Spanish of the narrative of Padre Escalaute of his remarkable journey from Santa Fe to Utah 

 Lake and return by way of Oraybe (one of the villages of the Moquis), Zuhi, and Acoma, in 

 1776-77. 



A large part of the country traversed by Captain Simpson has not been described by any sub- 

 sequent explorer ; and as his report was not printed, owing to the late war coming on about 

 the time it was completed, the valuable information it contains is not available for the use of tbe 

 Government or the public. 



I would therefore respectfully recommend that it be printed at the Government Printing-office, 

 and that 1,500 copies be furnished on the usual requisition. 



By direction of Brigadier-General Humphreys, and in his absence. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



George H. Elliot, 



Major of Engineers. 

 Hon. Wm. W. Belknap, 



Secretary of War. 

 Approved : 

 By order of the Secretary of War. 



H. T. Crosby, 



Chief Cleric. 

 WarT>epartment, May 19, 1875. 



