2 
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT. 
directly to Albuquerque, in New Mexico, in order to make that place a cardinal astronomical 
point in the survey, and to hasten preparations for the necessary explorations in the mount¬ 
ainous regions of New Mexico before the approach of winter. 
“ Over such portions of the route as evidently afford no material obstacle to the construction 
of a railway, a rapid reconnaissance will suffice. This work, however, must he checked by 
numerous geographical points determined by astronomical observations. 
“ Through mountain passes greater accuracy will he necessary, in order to determine 
(roughly) the grades and curves to he adopted, and the probable expense of their construction. 
Great attention will he given to those collateral branches of science which more or less directly 
affect the solution of the question of location for the proposed railway: the nature of the rocks 
and soils ; the means of obtaining water upon arid plains—whether by tanks or artesian wells ; 
the products of the country, animal, mineral and vegetable ; its population and resources ; its 
supply of timber and other materials for the construction of a railway ; the location, character, 
habits, tradition, and language of the Indian tribes. 
“ Meteorological and magnetic observations will be attended to ; the hygrometrical and elec¬ 
trical states of the atmosphere will be noticed ; and all practicable measures will be adopted in 
order to develop the character of the country through which the party is to pass. 
“ On or before the first Monday of February next Lieutenant Whipple will report the result 
of his investigations. 
“ After the completion of the field-work, the party will be disbanded in California ; the sol¬ 
diers no longer required will be placed at the disposal of the commanding officer of that depart¬ 
ment ; and Lieutenant Whipple, with such officers and assistants as he may deem necessary, 
will proceed to prepare for Congress a detailed report of the operations of the survey. 
“ The sum of forty thousand dollars will be set apart to defray the expenses of the survey 
intrusted to Lieutenant Whipple. 
“JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
c ‘ Secretary of War . ” 
“War Department, Washington , July 25, 1854. 
“Sir: You will, with as little delay as possible, furnish this department with a report of 
your operations, embracing— 
“ 1st. A map exhibiting the actual line or lines surveyed by yourself and your assistants, on 
your late explorations to ascertain the most practicable route for a railway to the Pacific ; and 
also a table showing the astronomical points determined for checking the lineal surveys, and 
the data upon which these determinations are founded. 
“ 2d. A profile of the route traversed, marking each station where a height was ascertained, 
and a table of the results of the observations made with the barometer or other instruments, by 
which the relative heights of different points were determined. 
“3d. A condensed statement of the character of the soil, the timber, the supply of water, and, 
as far as ascertained, the depth of snow in winter, for every section of the line traversed. 
“For the immediate use of the government, the relative longitude and the relative heights 
of points along any given line are required. A discussion of the absolute longitude and heights, 
also the preparation of the natural history, geology, &c., may be deferred, without injury to 
the object now in view. 
“The map and profile should indicate new routes or lines to be surveyed, and those hereto¬ 
fore surveyed, by which obstacles on the line followed may be avoided. 
“Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
“JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
“ Secretary of War. 
“Lieut. A. W. Whiffle, 
“Topographical Corps, Washington.'” 
