REPORTS OF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE PACIFIC RAILROAD [cover title]

(Transcontinental Railroad) 36th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives, Report No. 428. Samuel R. Curtis and Others

Published by Thomas H. Ford, Washington, 1860

24.5x15.5 cm, pp. [1-3] 4-72, folded map, self wrappers, untrimmed, sewn. First edition. Issued as 36th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives, Report No. 428. Map is: "Map of the Practicable Rail Road Routes from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean and their Connection with the Principal Seaports of the Atlantic Ocean Prepared for the Select Committee of the House of Representatives on the Pacific Rail Road Office of Explorations & Surveys. War Dept. Drawn by E. Freyhold Jan. 1859. 24.5 x 36 cm; on sheet 27 x 40.5 cm. Lithographed by Sarony Major and Knapp, Liths. N. Y. The majority report favored the central route over the Sierra Nevada into the Sacramento Valley. The minority reports favored the southern and northern routes. Pages 12-16 discuss the proposed route over the Sierra Nevada based on Lieut. Edward G. Beckwith's 1854 report published in volume 2 of EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR A RAILROAD ROUTE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN (Washington 1855). "Following the death of Captain Gunnison, Beckwith brought the expedition to Salt Lake City in November of 1853 . In the early spring of 1854, Beckwith received authorization to continue the survey along the 41st parallel to California. He crossed the desert on the south side of Salt Lake, passed through the Humboldt Mountains, then traveled west by way of the Humboldt River to Lassen's Meadow, and continued west to the Sierra Nevada, where he located two possible railroad passes -- Madeline Pass and Noble's Pass -- through to the Sacramento Valley" (Wagner, Camp, Becker, 1982, p. 476). Vertical crease where folded for mailing, outer surfaces of first and last leaves dusty and soiled, a good copy. Enclosed in a folding cloth chemise and custom cloth slipcase with leather spine label. (#166358). Seller Inventory # 166358

Bibliographic Details

Title: REPORTS OF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY OF THE ...
Publisher: Thomas H. Ford, Washington
Publication Date: 1860
Binding: Soft cover
Edition: 1st Edition