Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. - pocketboek

Excerpt from Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economical Route for a Railroad From the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, Vol. 6: Made Under the Direction of the Secretary of War in 1854-5, According to Acts of Congress of March 3, 1853, May 31, 1854, and August 5, 1854
Sir: In obedience to instructions from the War Department, I have the honor to submit the accompanying report of the exploration and survey in California and Oregon, conducted by Lieutenant R. S. Williamson, United States Topographical Engineers, in 1855. The prepara tion of the report has devolved upon me, in consequence of the severe and protracted illness of Lieutenant Williamson; and it is due to myself to state that I have performed the duty with extreme reluctance, partly because it was not originally designed for me by the Department, and partly because it properly belongs to the officer by whose forethought and professional ability the expedition has been brought to a successful termination.
Wishing to convey Lieutenant Williamson's ideas, as far as they are known to me, I have been guided by his recorded field notes, and by his opinions expressed to me in conversation, in preparing the portion of the report which relates to regions traversed by him. During a part of the field work I was entrusted with a separate party, with instructions to prepare a written report of the results of my examinations. For any opinion given in this portion of the report he, of course, is not responsible.
At the completion of the survey for a railroad route from the Sacramento valley to the Columbia river, the season was so far advanced and the animals were in so jaded condition, that Lieutenant Williamson considered it impracticable to make any examination of the Sierra Nevada until the ensuing spring. Before that time, orders were received from the War Department, directing him to return at once to Washington to prepare the maps, profiles, and reports of the explora tion already made. The second survey contemplated in his original instructions was consequently omitted.
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