348 . REPORT AND ESTIMATE. 
On the route from Breckinridge to Vancouver the distances and elevations are as follows: 
Below 1,000 feet below the веа · · . . . · n MIHI 243 miles. 
Between 1,000 and 2,000 feet below the веа................................ Сиси 
Between 2,000 and 3,000 feet below the веа................................ 648 =“ 
Between 3,000 and 4,000 feet below the веа....................... EIE BIS ИЫ. 
Between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above the вса................................ ET 
5,000 feet or more above the деа.......................................... е =" 
The sum of ascents and descents from Breckinridge to Seattle are 21,787 feet, and to Van- 
couver 17,587. 
Equated distances from Breckinridge to Seattle via Cadotte’s Pass, 1,957.14. 
Equated distances from Breckinridge to Vancouver via Cadotte’s Pass, 1,859.69. 
There is only 320 miles of uncultivable country along the line of the route. 
Before giving the estimate I will state that there are many advantages in bringing the line 
to the Mission rather than taking it from Milk river and crossing the Marias and Teton high up 
towards the mountains, as recommended in my report of 1854. Тһе cost is diminished thereby; 
the road is brought at once directly to the head of navigation of the Missouri; it dispenses with 
the necessity and expense of a spur road; it renders unnecessary the reservoir for water at 
Grizzly Bear lake; there will be the most ample supply of water along the line of the route 
about to be estimated upon; Box Elder, Sun river, Elk Fork, the Dearborn, the several tribu- 
taries of the Dearborn, and the creeks flowing westward from the divides of Cadotte, and Lewis 
and Clark, will, as well as the Mission, furnish an inexhaustible supply of the purest water; it 
will bring the whole of this portion of the route into the close vicinity of a well-wooded region; 
it will effect a great saving in transportation; it will be near water power; it will hasten by six 
months the completion of this portion of the road; the old location, from Sun river to the Dear- 
born, will involve exceedingly heavy excavations and embankments. 
ESTIMATE OF COST. 
The estimate of cost of road is not given for the distance east from Breckinridge on the 
western boundary of Minnesota, to which point the Minnesota and Pacific Railroad Company 
have located a road under the recent grants of Congress. Their route crosses the Mississippi 
near the Falls of St. Anthony, does not deflect more than 27 miles at any point from an air line, 
and saves 20 miles in distance over my surveyed routes. Moreover, with means at hand, it can 
be built for less than my estimate of $25,000 per mile, viz: for about $21,000 or $22,000 per 
mile. 
An estimate is given of the cost of the road from Breckinridge to Seattle and Vancouver, 
both by Cadotte’s and Lewis and Clark’s Passes. First, by passing the plateau generally, and 
the route of the main train, and second by the Missouri Great Falls and Sun river, as explained 
in this paper. 
Estimate of cost of road from Breckinridge to Seattle, via Fort Union, Fort Benton, Cadotte s Pass, 
Coeur Ф Aléne Mission; north of the Coeur d? Aléne lake, and the Snoqualmoo Pass, using the long 
tunnel. Entire distance, 1,544.51 miles. 
та _ i ue Miles. Per mile. 
25. Breckinridge to crossing of Milk тіуег.............. 712 at $40,000 $28,480,000 
. . Crossing of Milk river to point of — = from Box 
Elder creek заты ee Sas wei 30 T 40,000 1,200,000 
