ESTIMATED COST OF BRANCH ROUTE. 35 
that the construction of a preliminary line will lead to the most effective solution of the question 
in its manifold relations. 
When contiguous to settlements, and under due prospect of remuneration from way business, 
this line need not necessarily be confined to a preliminary character ; over no section encountered 
in the passage of the continent, necessarily confined to any peculiar character or class, save 
as under attendant liabilities ; and, while always subject to the principle of expansion, or of 
elaboration, as cireumstances shall direct, still never surrendering the obvious necessity of the 
earliest practicable connexion of termini. 
Should the passage of the great obstacles to railway transit—by the channels perforated 
through them by the act of nature, in the flowage of the waters of the interior to the ocean—be 
prevented for a few weeks by the freshets of the mountains, it is still assumed, in this estimate, 
that the use of the rail eleven (11) months of the year, during the long period while these 
obstacles are being overcome by the means of transportation thus afforded to supplies, laborers, 
and all needed appliances, will still prove a remarkable desideratum in the early consumma- 
tion of the project. 
Although in a detailed estimate of the cost of the northern route to Puget Sound, I submitted, 
by direction of Gov. Stevens, what my experience in railway construction then led me to believe 
would prove a close approximation to the cost of a Grand Trunk line to the Pacific, of the class 
of the present day, subsequent experience of the late crises in a railway mania of the country 
has demonstrated to me the fallacy of submitting any estimate of eventual costs of a Grand 
Trunk line of two thousand (2,000) miles, extending through an uncivilized country, and fully 
elaborated, equipped, and furnished—when built under a system of competition, hazardous 
speculation, inadequate application of cash capital, and as affected by discursive attempts at 
the construction of several Grand Trunk lines. 
But a road of rough class, admitting the passage of weighty trains, and reaching the Puget 
Sound terminus by practicable detour, can be completed from the waters of Missouri river to 
Seattle, on Puget Sound, for fifty millions ($50,000,000)* of dollars in cash capital, actually ex- 
pended on the construction and equipment of the road. 
The following estimate for the branch road of one thousand and fifty (1,050) miles embraces a 
larger sum per mile, from the better class of line proposed over certain portions of the route— 
as probably required by adequate way business, and as more economically accomplished if 
attempted at the outset: 
From Seattle to Vancouver, on the lower Columbia, a distance of one hundred and 
sixty-five (165) miles, facilities existing for cheap construction, a preliminary 
line of better class than would be attempted in the far interior, with a rail of 
sixty (60) lbs. per yard, or structure of corresponding strength, and reasonable 
reduction of surface, erection of rough masonry, &c., at the present prices of the 
Pacific coast $4,125,000 
From Vancouver to the Dalles, a distance of ninety (90) miles, and including a 
passage of the Great Cascade mountain chain—a line of rail of sixty (60) lbs. per 
yard, secured by mechanical appliances, and admitting the passage of a locomo- 
tive engine and train without breaking bulk—the temporary road-bed of ledge 
debris covered with water, and unserviceable during the freshets of the Columbia. 3,150,000 
From the Dalles to the plateau surface at northern base of Blue mountains, includ- 
ing bridge of Columbia, and approach to upper plateau surface from lower level of 
Columbia valley, one hundred and fifty (150) miles 4,500,000 
Passage of Snake-river valley plateau and cafions, a distance, in round numbers, 
of two hundred (200) miles, some portions of line unserviceable during the spring 
© With all contingencies; depreciation, workage, management, inadequate appropriations in broken sums, credite, &c., 
say $75,000,000. 
