Congressional Edition Volume 737 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...an operation. The branch from St. Louis to Independence would join the mcin trunk upon Rio Galisteo. Upon this line we have abundant information--the reconnaissance of Major Emory, with a profile through the Raton mountains, and the survey of Lieutenants Abert and Peck, with a profile by Dr. Wislizenus, of the Cimarron route to Santa Fe. A copy of this latter profile will accompany the map, and-show the availability of that route to unite with our own upon a branch of the Galisteo river. With reference to this route, Lieutenant Abert, who traversed it in 1845, says: "I find the maximum grade to be eightyfive and six-tenths feet per mile. It occurs between Cold spring and Cedar creek. There are no difficult places to bridge, but water and wood are extremely scarce." Lieutenant Peck, who accompanied Lieutenant Abert, refers to this route as follows: "With reference to the railroad, I am inclined to think that a route to Galisteo can be found in the general direction of the Santa F6 trail, which will be more favorable than that by the Canadian. By keeping to the north, so as to cross the Cimarron plains and come upon the head of the Canadian at the north end of the Great canon, the ground will be more favorable, as it is less cut up by c.-iflons than it % ig where the Canadian escapes from the high table further south. Building material--that is, in the way of timber--would be scarce on the northern route from about Cotton-wood fork to the very entrance into New Mexico. The rapid falling off' of the country from Santa Fe to San Felipe must have struck you; and it has undoubtedly been suggested to you, that a road once brought as far as Galisteo ought to keep as far to the north as possible, crossing the Rio Grande near San Domingo. From this pla...