132 
PASSES OF SIERRA NEVADA.—REVIEW OF ROUTE. 
and symmetrical within and without. The pottery was rough, unpainted, and unglazed. 
The huts covered circular depressions in the ground abont ten feet in diameter, and two 
feet deep. The day has been clear, hut with a cold wind from the snowy peaks of San 
Gabriel. They appear to he ten thousand feet above the level of the sea. Tall pines crown 
their summits. 
March 17 —Camp 149.—Finding the Cajon so difficult for a railroad passage to the Pacific, 
we greatly desired to examine Walker’s Pass into Tulare valley. But on consultation, several 
obstacles were opposed to the undertaking; one of them being the fear of spring freshets, which 
usually make the mountain streams in that region impassable. As the question was under 
consideration, a messenger arrived from Capt. Lovell, bringing letters and papers. The latter 
gave accounts from Lieut. Williamson and Capt. Stoneman, making known the fact that all 
the passes, from Walker’s to the Cajon inclusive, had been thoroughly explored by parties under 
their direction. It was therefore evident that, as the department had already obtained the 
desired information upon that question, further examinations would not be expected of us ; and, 
our share of the appropriation being nearly exhausted, we determined to diminish the party at 
once, and then push rapidly on to Los Angeles. 
It is with much satisfaction that we learn the success that attended the survey of Lieutenant 
Williamson ; for we are assured, from the appearance of the country forming the western shed 
of the mountains, that every pass leading into the Tulare valley is accessible from the Mojave 
river ; and that point being passed, our route will terminate at San Francisco. 
We remained in camp during the day, and paid off and discharged all the laborers of the 
party excepting a few Mexican herders, who are needed to guard the mules. 
Our field labors, therefore, may now be looked upon as completed. It remains to develop in 
detail the results that may be gathered from the material that has been collected. Until this 
be accomplished, no definite nor satisfactory evidence can be given to others of the success that 
has attended our operations ; but, to ourselves, there is no doubt remaining that, for the con¬ 
struction of a railway, the route we have passed over is not only practicable, but, in many 
respects, eminently advantageous. The first six hundred and fifty miles, from the eastern 
border of the Choctaw territory to the river Pecos, possesses, in the valley of the Canadian, a 
natural highway that establishes, beyond question, the superior advantages of this belt of 
country over any other that can be selected, between tbe same degrees of longitude, within the 
limits of our territory. The Canadian seems formed by nature for the special object in view. 
Its general course, for the distance alluded to, is nearly east. Its mean inclination is but nine 
feet to tbe mile ; thus enabling us almost imperceptibly to attain the summit of the lofty table¬ 
lands of New Mexico. Expensive excavations and embankments are entirely avoided; and, not¬ 
withstanding the numerous affluents that fertilize and enrich the adjacent country, few bridges 
are required, as most of the water-courses sink beneath the surface as they approach the great 
valley. Upon the eastern portion valuable coal mines exist, and vast forests of oak may furnish 
an unfailing supply of timber and fuel. The Cross Timbers extend to the meridian of 99° west 
from Greenwich, and the wooded branches of the False Washita afford abundance of the same 
material for fifty or sixty miles beyond. Sandstone, quick-lime, and gypsum, are found 
throughout the whole distance. If the fertile valleys were thrown open to settlers, and 
an outlet secured for the products of the soil, this region would form the nucleus of new 
States, and the roving tribes of Indians that now occupy it would give place to a flourishing 
population. It is believed that in climate, as well as soil, this country far surpasses that of 
Kansas. 
Westward from the Rio Grande, the valley of the river Gila, though somewhat inferior to 
the Canadian as regards fertility of soil and its supplies of timber and fuel, presents similar 
advantages, in respect to the direction of its course, and the facilities it would afford for laying 
a railway. If the harbor of San Diego were selected as tbe terminus of the road, there would 
be no doubt that the road should follow the valleys of the two above-mentioned rivers ; and a 
