IV 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Letter of Governor 1.1. Stevens to Dr. George Suckley. Camp Washington, October 29, 1853.-.— 68 
Letter of Governor I. I. Stevens to Lieutenant John Mullan. Camp Washington, October 29, 1853.— 68 
Letter of Governor I. I. Stevens to Mr. A. W. Tinkham. Camp Washington, October 29, 1853. 69 
Letter of Governor 1.1. Stevens to the Secretary of War, stating progress of the exploration. Olympia, W. T., De¬ 
cember 19, 1853.-.-. 69 
Letter of the Secretary of War to Governor I. I. Stevens. Washington, December 1, 1853. 72 
PAET II. 
CHAPTER I. 
Instructions of Secretary of War, dated Washington, April 8, 1853.-..... 73 
CHAPTER II. 
Field explored by different parties...-. 76 
CHAPTER III. 
General description of region examined and results accomplished.—General salubrity of the region. 81 
CHAPTER IV. 
Railroad practicability of the section to the base of the mountain.—Geographical importance of the Bois des Sioux.— 
Navigability of the Missouri. 83 
CHAPTER V. 
Details of excavations and embankments.—Supplies of wood, water, stone, and other materials. 89 
CHAPTER VI. 
Railroad practicability of the Rocky and Cceur d’Alene mountains.—Description of the ranges and of the several passes. 96 
CHAPTER VII. 
General geographical description of the Rocky mountains. 102 
CHAPTER VIII. 
General characteristics of the Great Plain of the Columbia, and navigability of the Columbia river... 107 
CHAPTER IX. 
Description of the Cascade mountains and the pass of the Columbia river... Ill 
CHAPTER X. 
Resources and geographical importance of Puget sound, and its relation to the trade of Asia. 113 
CHAPTER XI. 
Railroad practicability of the Sno<iualtne Pass. 117 
CHAPTER XII. 
Resume of the line from the base of the Rocky mountains to Puget sound... 121 
CHAPTER XIII. 
Comparison of the distances on several routes...... 126 
CHAPTER XIV. 
Meteorology of the field explored...... —.. 128 
CHAPTER XV. 
Plan of construction and details of the roads.-~Use of vvagon*road in connexion with railroad.-“Estimate of cost. 141 
