46 
TABLE OF ASCENTS AND DESCENTS. 
shorter than the one surveyed; and if the ranges of the Gfuadalupe and Hueco mountains 
can he avoided, the route would unquestionably he in all respects more favorable. 
These routes I consider it of consequence to explore, and I respectfully invite the attention of 
the department to the propriety of doing so as early as possible in the spring. 
It is also, as it seems to me, desirable to make a reconnaissance of the route from the crossing 
of the Brazos in a direct line to the Bed river in the vicinity of Fulton. There are many 
reasons for this change from the route already surveyed, among which may he stated that the 
heavy work in the Upper Cross Timbers would probably he avoided, and that a more practica¬ 
ble crossing of Bed river could he found. 
With a view to the continuation of the line to the eastward, the survey of this route would 
he in all respects advantageous. 
The country in the direct line from Preston to the Mississippi is very much broken, and very 
rough through the range of the Ozark mountains, which would he completely turned at the 
south by the route to Fulton. At this place, also, many lines of railroad, from different points 
on the Mississippi, are rapidly concentrating, and would perfect the connexion with the east¬ 
ward without the heavy work and enormous expense of continuing in a direct line the route 
already surveyed. 
It would probably he only necessary to make a rapid reconnaissance of this line for the pur¬ 
pose of fixing the positions and determining the character of the crossing places of the Trinity 
and its tributaries. It is well known that the country would offer no serious obstacle to the 
construction of a railroad. 
To the tables which accompany this chapter I refer for a condensed statement in detail of the 
ascents and descents to the mile along this route. These are in all cases steeper than it would 
he either necessary or advisable to establish grades of the railroad. The routes suggested for 
examination are marked on the map with a dotted blue line. 
Table of ascents and descents to the mile from Red river to the Rio Grande. 
