Reports of Explorations and Surveys to Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economical Route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean Made Under the Direction of the Secretary of War in 1853-4

G/none, used hc, 175 pp. Brown marbled paper over boards with leather tips and leather spine; text on black plates between molded ridges; edge wear. Some interior pages have foxing and damp stains and are creased; 20 color plates and most of them are damp stained; final page after text is partly missing and appears to be a geological chart.There is an interesting section on the Indian tribes encountered in the Southwest including language and clothing; and an estimate of construction costs at the time. Binding is good and tight.