14 
EXTRACTS FROM [PRELIMINARY] REPORT. 
Notwithstanding the richness of her mines of gold, of silver, of copper, and of iron, the de¬ 
posits of coal that have been discovered in New Mexico have probably a more direct and practi¬ 
cal hearing upon the project of a railway. The mountains east and west from Eio Grande—the 
Sandia and Manzana ranges, as well as the Sierra Madre—furnish a large supply of superb firs 
for timber. Near the base of the mountains, on gravel ridges and in dry ravines, are found 
cedar and mezquite, furnishing for the people sufficient fuel. 
But the excellent coal, which is said to crop out in the Carnuel Pass and in the famous basin 
of Cibolleta, would, with railroad transportation, afford a large supply of this necessary com¬ 
modity. 
Hence, with the increase of population, the development of the precious metals, the manufac¬ 
ture of wine, and the produce of wool and other articles, will afford rich freights, east and west, 
in exchange for fabrics of every kind, and luxuries required from the older States. 
Such seem a few of the considerations that will have an influence upon the prosperity of the 
Pacific railway. 
CHAPTER IV. 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE TRAVERSED FROM RIO DEL NORTE TO PORT OF SAN PEDRO.—REMARKS UPON THE VALLEY OF RIO 
COLORADO. 
West of Rio del Norte, a ridge easily crossed, brings us to Rio Puerco. A branch called Rio 
de San Jose, passing beds of coal, leads, by a gradual ascent, near to the summit of Sierra 
Madre. Two passes here were examined—both practicable; one leading by the Camino del 
Obispo, the ether by Ojo del Oso. The latter, by report of my principal assistant surveyor, 
A. H. Campbell, esq., who examined it, scarcely needs excavation to prepare the way for iron 
tracks. The Obispo Pass would probably require a maximum grade from eighty to ninety feet 
per mile, and a tunnel of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, through soft limestone rock, at the 
summit. But nature has modelled the slope upon each side of the pass ; and beyond, the route 
glides quietly into the extensive, well watered, and beautiful valley leading to Zuni. The 
route across the Sierra Madre passes extensive forests of excellent pine timber. 
It is a singular fact that, throughout New Mexico, Pueblo Indians are universally conceded to 
he the most sober, honest, and industrious portion of the inhabitants of this Territory. My 
own observations would tend to confirm the fact. The Indians of Zuni cultivate a portion of 
an extensive valley, in the midst of which their pueblo is built. Without irrigation, depending 
only upon occasional rains, they produce abundant crops of grain and vegetables. Even though 
they had furnished forage for Fort Defiance, their supply of maize seemed inexhaustible. 
These Indians are more shrewd and more enterprising than the lower class of Mexican popula¬ 
tion. They comprehend the advantage of trade which the opening of a railway through their 
country would afford, and are eager for its accomplishment. The Caciques met in council and 
delegated three of their best men to show us the excellent route due west to Rio Colorado 
Chiquito, below the junction of Rio Puerco of the West. The service was accomplished to our 
complete satisfaction. The route was excellent, nearly devoid of hills, with frequent springs 
and streams of water, and grama grass abundant. 
Here is where the route through Campbell’s Pass, at Ojo del Oso, unites with the main line. 
It possesses the advantage of a low summit and easy grades along the channels of the two 
streams it follows. But the waters of Rio Puerco of the West, being generally lost below the 
surface, fail to produce the fertility that distinguishes the Zuni route. 
The Colorado Chiquito is a stream smaller than the Gila, but similar in many respects. The 
banks are fringed with cotton wood ; the valley is wide, the soil rich, and the gravelly ridges 
are covered with fragments of pottery, among ruins of ancient Indian pueblos. Drift wood 
here is very abundant, indicating occasional freshets, and plenty of timber near the sources of 
