INDEX 
TO ' 
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR AID OFFICE REPORTS- 
Page. 
Contents of volume I. iii 
Resolution authorizing printing of reports. iv 
Acts of Congress of March 3, 1853, May 31, 1854, and August 5, 1854, authorizing the surveys and explorations. iv 
Note in reference to Governor Stevens’s estimate of cost of road. iv 
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AVAR. 
Provisions under which the explorations and surveys were made. 3 
General map. 3 
General sketch of the country between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean. 3, 4 
General description of the mountain systems, soil, water, &c., between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean .. 4-7 
Remarks upon the several routes. 7,8 
Examination of route near the 47th and 49th parallels of north latitude, explored by Governor I. I. Stevens and Captain 
G. B. McClellan, Corps of Engineers. 8-12 
Examination of route near the 41st and 42d parallels of north latitude, explored by Captain J. C. Fremont, Captain 
H. Stansbury, Corps of Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, 3d regiment of artillery. 12-16 
Examination of route near the 38th aud 39th parallels of north latitude, explored by Captain J. VV. Gunnison, Corps 
of Topographical Engineers; report by Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, 3d regiment artillery. 17—19 
Examination of route near the 35th parallel of north latitude, explored by Lieutenant A. W. Whipple, Corps of To¬ 
pographical Engineers. 20-22 
Examination of route near the 32d parallel of north latitude, explored by Captain John Pope, Lieutenant John G. 
Parke, and Major William H. Emory, Corps of Topographical Engineers. 23-27 
Examination of extension of route of 32d parallel from the mouth of the Gila to San Francisco, explored by Lieute¬ 
nant R. S. Williamson, Corps of Topographical Engineers. 27-29 
Remarks in regard to estimates of cost and equated lengths; comparison of results; “ the most practicable and 
economical route,” its characteristics and advantages. 29, 30 
Table showing lengths, sums of ascents and descents, equated lengths, cost, &c., of the several routes. 31 
Table of distances of the eastern termini of the routes to the Mississippi river and the principal Atlantic and Gulf ports. 32 
List of documents accompanying Secretary’s report.. 33 
EXAMINATION OF THE ROUTES BY CAPTAIN A. A. HUMPHREYS AND LIEUTENANT G. K. AVARREN, CORPS OF TOPO¬ 
GRAPHICAL ENGINEERS. 
CHAPTER I. 
Route near the 47th and 49 tli parallels oj north latitude. 
Considerations determining the general direction of the route. 39 
Examination of route in detail from St. Paul, Mississippi river, to the Missouri river, near Fort Union, (comprising 
topographical description, grades, character of work, supplies of building material, fuel, tvater, &c.). 39,40 
Examination of route in detail from near Fort Union to the eastern base of the Rocky mountains. 41 
Water from the Red river of the north to Maria’s river. 41 
Examination of route in detail from the eastern base of the Rocky mountains to the crossing of the Spokane river.. 41-45 
Description of the passes of the Rocky mountains, and continuation of route through them. 41-43 
Description of the passes of the Bitter Root mountains, and continuation of route through them. 43-45 
Examination of route in detail from the crossing of the Spokane river to the crossing of the Columbia river. 45, 46 
Examination of route in detail from the crossing of the Columbia river to Puget Sound, by the Yakima Pass. 46 
