Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 2, Pt. 4

OBJECT OF THIE EXPEDITION.
themselves were determined, are appended in a tabular form to the report, the value of the
opinions, and the accuracy of the results to which they owe their weight, can be at once exam
ined and verified.
There are many other subjects which fell under the observation of the party, and concerning
which much information has been collected; but as their importance is remote from the question of the Pacific railroad, I have not thought it advisable to embody them in the report.
The object of the expedition was strictly and eminently practical, and the question to be solved
had been thoroughly examined for other localities in the United States, and was well understood in all its details; and in conveying information upon such a subject, I have considered it
in all respects advisable to avoid embarrassing or encumbering it with any matter not directly
pertinent.
With these opinions, the report of this survey has been written, and I only regret that it is
not more perfect.
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