along which it runs for about one mile, when turning to the left, it passes up a tributary side ravine to its head, the line striking a point about 200 feet south of stage road, one mile south of Secrettown. Running thence alongside of road nearly a mile, it crosses the same, and passing between Everard's house and barn, at Secrettown, it reaches the head of Secret ravine, or Secrettown gap, crossing it with trestling about 50 feet in height.

Turning to the left the line now passes north of Cold Spring mountain, (on Bear river side,) and for two miles encounters a succession of steep side ravines, where some of the heaviest work of the line will be found. Two tunnels will be necessary on this piece of line, each about 600 feet in length. Leaving the side hill again, the line strikes a long and nearly level bench, about two miles in length, extending up nearly to Dutch Flat.

This bench is the well-known Gravel ridge which extends along the slopes of the Sierras at about this elevation, and on which are situated the mines, worked by the hydraulic mining process. Extending up this ridge to within about one mile of Dutch Flat the line again takes to side hill to left, running near to Strong's cabin, Brickell's steam saw mill, Dutch Flat steam saw mill, to the Dutch Flat Water Company's large reservoir, (about one and a half miles above Dutch Flat.)

The town of Dutch Flat lies on Bear river side hill, about half way down to Bear river, the line passing about half a mile in the rear and about 300 feet higher than the town. At this last named reservoir, which is upon the top of ridge called Reservoir Gap, we leave the crest of ridge for the last time, it rising too rapidly to be available for a railroad line at our maximum grades. Turning to the left the line now runs, at nearly a level grade, about one and a half mile further to Little Bear river, which stream it crosses just above the saw mill, near Widow Homer's Ranch. Pursuing its course down the north side hill of Little Bear river, it departs at Ellmore hill, passing round the same, and enters upon the side hill of Bear river.

The river gorge at this point is about 1,500 feet deep, our line being about 500 feet below the top of ridge, and from 1,000 to 1,200 feet above the river. Its side hill is steep, rocky, and marked by many abrupt indentations and corresponding salient points. The line was carried round most of these points, but, upon a final location, it will probably be found advisable to run through the sharp points with short tunnels, the longest of which will be 1,350 feet, none of them, however, requiring shafting.

The line passes up this side hill of Bear river, (the grade line being nearly parallel with the crest or top of the ridge and from 500 to 700 feet below the same,) crossing through Zerr's Ranch, (about 600 feet north of his buildings.) striking the lower end of Bear valley, about 200 feet high, on its south side hill. Continuing on for two miles it leaves the head of Bear valley at an elevation of about 350 feet on side hill above the same, crossing the head of Bear river, (which is here but a small creek,) following it up to its source, which is a marshy lake, about one and a half mile above Bear valley.

It will be observed on the profile, that from Zerr's Ranch to head of Bear river, a grade line is indicated running about 100 feet higher on the side hill. In locating the line as run, the intention was to cross Bear river and continue on the side hill of the main gorge to Yuba river, (near head of South Yuba Water Company's canal,) keeping up on main side hill of South Yuba to Yuba Bottom; but, upon examination, this proved to be impracticable, the Yuba above Bear valley running in deep rocky cañons, with perpendicular rocky walls of granite, too rugged in their character to admit of the location of a line over them. It therefore became necessary to carry the line onto a bench above and south of Yuba river, and nearly at the base of the main ridge, a line from Zerr's Ranch to this point being practicable at our maximum grade, the only change necessary being to make the location a little higher on side hill.

Our present line passes about 100 feet to the left of Jew David's cabin. On the location as changed it will pass a short distance in rear of same. Continuing on, the line pursues the general course of Yuba river, about six miles further, to the point where the old Truckee emigrant trail leaves Yuba Bottom to ascend on the main ridge to the south, (which point is 19 miles above Dutch Flat by trail, and about 22 miles by our line,) called Yuba Bottom. This point is at the head of the lower cañon and falls between Yuba Bottom and Bear valley.

In subsequent location it will be necessary to run the line between these two points (viz head of Bear river to Yuba Bottom) a little lower down on side hill, as indicated on profile, for the following reasons: Fearing that the elevation of Yuba Bottom might prove too high, the line was run from head of Bear river, at our maximum grade, in order to gain as much elevation as possible. But on reaching Yuba Bottom it was found that this gave more elevation than was necessary, therefore the last half mile was run down onto Yuba Bottom. The last elevations show that a grade of 80 feet per mile can be obtained from the head of Bear river to Yuba Bottom.

From this point (Yuba Bottom) the line follows the river for about one mile, passing through a short cañon and emerging at very near the level of water surface in river, (called Hall's cañon.) From this point the line was first run for about six miles up the river valley, taking to side hill at the two upper cañons, the line being carried up to the upper ford at head of Wilson's cut-off; but finding that the summit could not be reached without increasing grade on the remaining distance, our parties proceeded to the summit, from which a line was run down on side hill of Yuba, at maximum grade, striking into the valley line at head of first small cañon, (about one mile above Yuba Bottom,) called Hall's cañon. The location, therefore, is carried from Hall's cañon, on south side hill of Yuba, at maximum grades, into lower end of Summit valley, (about three and a half miles below summit of Sierras,) crossing the old Truckee emigrant trail, near Kidd's Reservoir, about half way up to the top of the ridge, the line striking the lower end of Summit valley about the level of Yuba river; running thence straight across Summit valley, about two miles, at a grade of about 25 feet per mile, to a point on the south side of Summit valley, near Cook's old cabin, the line takes to side hill on the right, and in one and a half mile reaches the summit of Sierras with a cutting of about 50 feet. By commencing the last named ascent a little further back in Summit valley, the summit can be reached with maximum grades without any excavation. The elevation of surface of Summit is 7,027 feet above top of levee at Sacramento.

DESCENT ON EASTERN SIDE OF SIERRA NEVADA.

Pursuing its course from the summit easterly, the line commences its descent with maximum grade, and passing to the right is carried for next two miles over a steep rocky side hill, on which will be found quite heavy rock-cutting; thence turning abruptly to the right it enters upon side hill of Strong's ravine, and, running up the same about one mile, crosses over and is carried down over a smooth side hill to a point 600 feet higher than the southwest corner of Donner lake; thence pursuing its course along the side hill for about three miles, it encounters Coldstream ravine and runs up the same a little over a mile.

Crossing Coldstream the line follows along down its south side hill to within about a quarter of a mile of the main Truckee, where turning to the left it crosses the valley of Donner creek, accomplishing the descent in about 113 miles of downward maximum grade; thence the line was carried about five miles down the valley of Truckee river, and the survey terminated at a point 128 miles from Sacramento.

The object of this survey being to accomplish the crossing of the Sierras with a railroad line, it was considered unnecessary at this time to extend the

survey any further down the Truckee river; barometrical elevations were taken from our line up the Truckee river to Lake Bigler, and also down the same to the lower end of the Truckee meadows, showing its average fall to be only about 35 feet per mile.

I also carried a series of observations down Steamboat valley to Steamboat springs; thence across the Washoe mountains (via Virginia, Flowery, and Sixmile cañon) to the Carson river; thence down the same to Fort Churchill-a profile of which is shown on the small general profile of grades. A continuation of our line down the Truckee to Big Bend follows the same, from the terminus of survey, 18 miles, to Neil's ranch or Henness road; thence seven miles to Stout's crossing of Truckee; thence through the Truckee meadow and across head of Steamboat valley eight miles to Stone's crossing, or western base of Washoe mountains; thence 23 miles through Washoe mountains to Big Bend of Truckee or edge of Humboldt desert, making the total distance about 183 miles.

No obstacle exists, and a line with light grades, over exceedingly smooth sur face, can be carried from Stout's crossing of Truckee up Steamboat valley to its head; thence through Washoe valley into Eagle valley, which opens into. Carson valley; thence down the Carson river to Fort Churchill or edge of desert, making, however, a longer line than that down Truckee.

DESCRIPTION OF LINES SURVEYED FOR CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD OF CALIFORNIA.

Barometrical reconnoissances have been made upon five different routes across the Sierra Nevada mountains, as follows:

1st. A route via Folsom, Greenwood, Georgetown.

2d. A route via Auburn, Illinoistown, Dutch Flat, and Donner pass. 3d. A route via Nevada and Henness pass.

4th. A route via Downieville and Yuba gap.

5th. A route via Oroville, Bidwell's bar, Middle Feather river, and Beckwourth pass.

1.-Route via Georgetown.

Commencing at the terminus of the Sacramento Valley railroad at Folsom, the distances were taken by odometer and elevations by aneroid barometer, to a point 78 miles from Sacramento; thence aneroid observations were extended to the summit of the Sierra Nevadas, near the head of the Middle Fork of the American river, following the ridge between South Fork of American river and its northern tributaries and the Middle Fork of American. The barometrical observations indicating that a grade of 150 feet per mile would be necessary in order to overcome the summit upon that route.

Commencing at Folsom, the lines of observation were as follows:

Sacramento Valley railroad depot, Spruauce's, Shaw's bridge across South fork of American river, Negro Hill, Berry's, Atchinson's, Young's, Cooper's ravine, Bailey's, Knickerbocker ranch, Harris ranch, Penobscot House, Greenwood, Halfway House, Georgetown, (54 miles from Sacramento,) Clipper mill, Castle Hill, top of hill, foot of hill, creek, top of hill, Work's ranch, Cabin Richardson's, Volcano mill, top of hill, emigrant road, top of hill, log shanty, Ballard's, Pilot creek, ice-house, Stockton's upper store, head of Pilot Creek ditch, top of ridge, leave emigrant road 78 miles from Sacramento, leave wagons, point on ridge, ditto, ditto, descend to bottom of Middle fork of American river, foot of hill, point on river, ditto, leave river and ascend to top of ridge, camp, summit of Sierras, distant 97 miles from Sacramento.

2.-Route via Auburn, Illinoistown, and Dutch Flat.

The located line of road following this route, and more particularly described herein; a further description of the barometrical reconnoissance is deemed uunecessary.

3.-Route via Nevada and Henness Pass.

Commencing at Folsom, the observations were taken at the following points: Sacramento Valley Railroad Depot Rocks, Spring's Franklin house, Mountaineer house, Dutch ravine, Auburn forks, Illinoistown road, Dry creek, Foster's, English bridge, Globe ranch, Wolf creek, Boston ravine, Grass valley, Nevada, Turner's mill, Blue tent, South Yuba, Bell's ranch, Lake City, Junction house, Devil's back-bone, Humbug road, Snow tent, Cherry Hill, Magenta flume, Eureka forks, top of Divide, Bowman's ranch, Cañon creek, Eureka ditch, Cañon creek summit, Jackson's, Donnieville road, old emigrant road, Henness Pass, Pebber's lake, Truckee falls, Maple's, Tule Lake house, Hunter's ranch, valley, Dog valley, Neil's ranch, State line-143 miles.

This line was found impracticable on account of the crossing of the South Yuba, and objectionable from the absolute necessity of making a long detour either to the north or south in order to get from the Henuess Pass to the plateau of Truckee river to avoid Dog mountain at a moderately descending grade, and consequently high elevation, through the snow region.

4-Route via Camptonville, Donnieville, North Yuba, and Sierra valley.

Commencing at the terminus of the California Central railroad at Lincoln, the lines of observations were as follows: Lincoln, Kennebec bar, Long bar, Timbuctoo, Smartsville, Empire ranch, Deer creek, Keystone house, Ankiny's, Pleasant Valley house, Bridgeport, South Yuba, French canal, Birdsville, Sweetland's, San Juan, Freeman's crossing, Middle Yuba, Camptonville, Slughville house, top of ridge, Mountain house, Goodytar bar, North Yuba, Donnieville, Mooney's, Charcoal Flat, Sierra City, Howard's, Yuba Gap, Hale's, Sierra valley. From this point the railroad line would extend northeasterly through Sierra valley, passing out through Beckworth's Pass, and connect with the line of observations taken upon the Middle Feather route; but in order to ascertain the height of Divide between Sierra valley and Little Truckee or Maple's creek, and the elevations of Dog Mountain route, the observations were extended on this line, continuing as follows: Arm's store, summit of Divide, Forks, Henness road, Triplett's, Sardine valley, Junction, Truckee emigrant road, Perkins's, Dog valley, top of Dog hill, Niel's, Stout's, Junction, Fuller's road-145 miles.

The objection to this route was found in the rugged nature of the country through which it passes, the expensive crossings of Deer creek, south fork of Yuba, middle fork of Yuba, and numerous deep ravines of their tributaries, and the necessity, as in the Henness route, of making a detour north through Sierra valley and Beckworth's Pass in order to reach the valley of Truckee

river.

5.-Route via Oroville, Bidwell's bar, Middle Feather, and Beckworth Pass.

Commencing at Oroville, the lines of observations were taken as follows: Oroville, North Fork, Bidwell's bar, south fork of Feather, Union bar, Kanake bar, Bald Rock cañon, Indian crossing, American bar, Long Rifle, south branch of Middle Feather, Milsop bar, Rinehart's bar, Marble cone No.

1, Marble cone No, 2, China wing-dam, French Cabin saw-mill, Hartman's bar, Delap's wing-dam, Pyramid Peak, Scrubly Jacks, Rich's point, Battle bar, Onion Valley creek, China bar, Last Chance ravine, Railroad ravine, Goss Point, Webb's bar, Colly's, Minerva bar, Washington bar, Rick's bar, Winter's creek, Sailor's bar, Nelson's Point. From Nelson's Point, at bed of Middle Feather river, 80 miles from Oroville, for the next 17 miles, the river rising at one uniform grade without obstruction, the lines of observations were carried to the north across the Divide between Middle Feather and Spring Valley creek, a tributary of the north fork of Feather, as follows: Nelson's Point, Flume, top of Divide, foot of Divide, Spring Garden ranch, Bear-trap, Musenhauser's, top of hill, Cunningham's house, Jackson's, top of hill, foot of hill, Middle Feather river, 97 miles from Oroville, at which point the lines of observations again touch the bed of the river, and are continued on as follows: Lower ford, upper ford, Penman's; leave river at a point distant 100 miles from Oroville. For next ten miles the observations were taken upon a line to north of river, as follows: Leave river top of Anthony'shill, Anthony's house, Poplar creek, point of river 112 miles from Oroville; thence via river as follows: Point at river, north branch Middle Feather, Beckworth's house, foot of Sierra valley, Battle cabin, in Sierra valley; Bingham's ranch, Marsh's summit house, Beckworth Pass, 131 miles from Oroville ; thence the line turns to the south and follows down through Long valley and Pea-vine valley to Truckee river at Fuller's crossing, as follows: Beckworth's Pass, foot of Pass, Long Valley road and ranch, Pond ranch, Antelope springs, Alkali summit, Alkali lake, Pea-vine summit, Pea-vine hotel, Pea-vine valley, Truckee summit, Junction, Stone's road, Fuller's crossing of the Truckee river, 160 miles from Oroville and 238 miles from Sacramento.

The advantages of this route consist in its low grades and a lower altitude of summit than upon the other routes, but it also presents disadvantages which render it next to impossible for us to avail ourselves of its advantages in this respect. It is 80 miles further from Sacramento to Fuller's crossing of Truckee by this route than by our present location. The Bald Rock cañon, about 20 miles above Bidwell's bar, is a rocky gorge in the Feather river rising with smooth grain to sides almost perpendicular, being 3,000 feet high upon the north side and about 2,500 feet upon the south side, the length of cañon being about one and a half miles. In order to avail ourselves of the lower grades it is necessary to run near the river or at an elevation sufficiently high to be above high water. This renders necessary the crossing of all the ravines, tributaries, many of which run in gorges of great depth near their mouths, and also involves the necessity of curving up into them and running down again in order to procure a suitable crossing. From Nelson's Point to and through Bald Rock cañon, about 50 miles, the river runs in a gorge varying from 2,000 to 2,600 feet in height, at a very steep slope, which, near the river where our line runs, in many places is perpendicular and generally rocky. The course of the river between these points is extremely tortuous and winding, the spurs of the mountain on either side putting out sharply and running by each other so as to lock across each other like the fingers of two hands thrust together. This involves the necessity of many tunnels. I estimated the number of tunnels upon this

50 miles at 28.

The work of construction would, therefore, be vastly expensive and slow. In view of our relations with the United States government and the Union Pacific Railroad Company, who are to build about 1,700 miles of road in the interior, and who cannot commence until we reach the State line; in view of the increased cost of the line on this route, and the increased cost to government of appropriation for 80 miles of additional road to the same point; in view of the additional time necessary to construct the additional length of 80 miles, and the