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Show ROUTE FROM FORKS OF THE PLATTE TO THE GREAT BASIN. 268 either on the diyiding ground between that riyer and the Republican, or ( had that proved unfavourable or impracticable) by the valley of the latter stream; either of which lines would have led us over ground as yet unexplored. Circumstances unfortunately prevented this design from being carried into execution. As any examination of tjie country over which we passed, other than a very general one, was foreign to the objects contemplated by my instructions, I have contented myself with simply adverting to such prominent geographical features of the country as came under my observation; being satisfied that so weighty an enterprise as the selection and construction of a great line of communication with the Pacific waters will not be entered upon without previously well- considered and connected explorations. These, of course, will be of a character much more minute and elaborate than could fcfc possibly made m the progress of a rapid reconnoissance, the results of which must necessarily be of a character too general to form the'basis of other than a conjectural estimate as to comparative merits of different and conflicting routes. The valley of the Salt Lake being the only point between the Missouri and the Pacific whence supplied of provisions can be procured, it must become an object of no little importance to embrace it in any scheme for a road acrpss the continent. I have already, in a previous portion of this report, suggested the route which I considered the best between Fort Bridger and that point, and which* taken in connection with the line to the head of Crow Creek, will give an excellent trace for a wagon- road all the way to the city. As to a railroad, the route id good as far as Camass Prairie; but the trace thence by either of the cafions at present travelled through the Wahsatch range to the city, will, I think, be impracticable, or at least enormously expensive. From the Camass Prairie, however, it is proposed to descend the Timpa-nogas, which reaches the upjfer level of the Salt Lake Valley at Lake Utah, some fifty miles south of the city. This part of the route I have not personally examined, but from descriptions given of it by the guides and others, I have little doubt that it will prove entirely practicable. After reaching the Salt Lake Valley, the road, as I have heretofore suggested, might fork, one branch leading to Oregon, and the other to the Pacific within the limits of California. The former would descend the valley of the Jordan, to Salt Lake City, whence it would, traverse a perfectly level country, along the eastern shore |