38 ROUTE FROM THE GREAT BASIN TO MISSOURI RIVER, 
prevent postponement and delay, the construction of the first section should most certainly not 
be compelled to await the solution of this engineering question. 
The line of the South Pass, as connected with the northern detour, was only developed by my 
reconnaissance of the branch route from Puget Sound. Since my arrival in the States, I had 
proposed making, at my own expense, a thorough examination of this and the dotted line of 
the sketch which extends north of Snake river; but learning that it was the intention of the 
War Department to send an exploring party over it, I abandoned the idea of a private expedi- 
tion, and offered my services to go with a small party in advance of the exploration, and aid 
its progress by the rapid service of preliminary reconnaissance, which, from my knowledge of 
the country and of the needs of the line, I thought might prove serviceable. 
Between the South Pass and the eastern slope of the Black Hills, (so called,) the preliminary 
line would in some instances be confined to the narrow, but by no means costly, passage of the 
Sweetwater river, while the main route would necessarily adopt a more direct location. The 
whole section is of favorable character. In the adjacent mountains excellent timber can be 
readily procured, and first-class material for masonry exists contiguous to either line. The 
earth excavation is in clear gravel, of that superior quality which best preserves superstructure 
from the effects of severe and sudden changes of temperature, and frosts, and which gives the 
most perfect drainage when formed into a road-bed. Reaching the valley of the Platte, all dif- 
ficulties of location cease, and a broad bottom land, falling at scarcely perceptible inclination 
to the very banks of the Missouri, and overlaying a substratum of clear gravel or sand, offers 
every facility for cheap construction. 
This broad surface of bottom land breaks toward the north into ranges of low sand-hills. 
Clear streams flow from these low summits at irregular intervals of distance; and from the 
facility with which their waters can be delivered at sufficient elevation above the rail for the 
use of locomotives, will prove of great value to the line; the turbid waters of the Platte not 
being so well suited to that important purpose. In the edge of these sand-hills, and beyond 
all danger of freshets, a preliminary road can be extended towards the mountains. 
Stone of medium quality occurs upon the Platte, and at the junction of the line with the 
Missouri. 
I am compelled to state, however, that, with all its attendant advantages, the route through 
the valley of the Platte labors under what may be termed a peculiar objection to any railway 
line to the Pacific. Two hundred (200) miles of the distance between the first broken country 
and the Missouri is entirely destitute of timber, and the remaining portion but sparsely wooded 
with the cotton. "The waters of the river are broken by séhd-bars, which would probably pre- 
vent rafting from the mountains. This peculiar feature of the line should be especially regarded, 
from the fact that the State of Iowa, which is the eastern terminus of the route, is also scantily 
timbered, and that the whole upper valley of the Missouri can give but slight aid in the con- 
nexion. The northern route labored under difficulties of a similar character in its passage to 
the mountains, but, by changing the location after the liability was developed by reconnais- 
sance, it may now be readily overcome by the construction of the road over the detour line of 
Little Falls. 
A line from a point on the Mississippi opposite the mouth of St. Croix river, and extending 
to the Missouri near the mouth of the Platte, would deliver the superior timber of northern 
Minnesota and Wisconsin at the debouche of the present line, and provide the great Territories 
of Nebraska and Kansas with the lumber of which they are so deficient, and which the whole 
upper valley of the Missouri does not afford. The want of timber upon the Platte does not 
extend to the deficiency of fuel for locomotives. Coal of excellent quality abounds upon the 
Northern Platte, and evidently underlies the whole eastern portion of the routes. Less bulky 
than wood, it is easily transported. 
: Suflicient timber is now growing in the Missouri valley, and near the lower waters of the 
Platte, to admit of the immediate extension of a preliminary road; and, in event of its con- 
