CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Legislative and executive action in reference to exploration and report... 5 
INTRODUCTION....... 7 
Review of Pacific railroad project________. - 8 
Different systems of railroad construction___.... 11 
Routes. 16 
Construction of a first section, the preliminary and most efficient step towards the early consumma¬ 
tion of the undertaking of a railroad to the Pacific.- -.-.-.- 17 
The credit system of construction.....-.. 19 
How a cash system of construction might be applied..... 21 
Conclusion of Introduction.-. 23 
Circumstances under which the reconnaissance was conducted..... 25 
REPORT.-. 29 
Blue Mountain range..-____ 31 
Selection of a terminus on Puget Sound—first section of line...--- 31 
Section of route from Vancouver to Dalles of Columbia....-. 32 
From the Dalles to Fort Bois3. 32 
Connexion of branch route with central lines to California...- 34 
Estimates of cost........... 34 
Continuance of reconnaissance to Missouri river....... 36 
Review and comparison of northern and southern routes to Puget Sound... 39 
Remarks...... 43 
Conclusion.... 44 
