II76 OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROF. JOHN PHOENIX 23 nd on watching his motions intently, my surprise was reat to find that his employment consisted in selling them mall pieces of pasteboard at fifty cents apiece! Curious o know the nature of these valuable bits of paper, I vatched carefully the proprietor's motions through a winlow for some hours; but being at length observed by him, I was requested to leave-and I left. This curious subject s, therefore, I regret to say, enwrapped in mystery, and I reluctantly leave it for the elucidation of some future savant. The beautiful idea, originated by Col. Benton, that buffaloes and other wild animals are the pioneer engineers, and that subsequent explorations can discover no better roads than those selected by them, would appear to apply admirably to the Central Route. Many pigs, singly and in droves, met and passed me continually; and as the pig is unquestionably a more sagacious animal than the buffalo, its preference for this route is a most significant fact. I was, moreover, informed by the emigrants, that this route was 'the one followed by Col. Fremont when he lost his men.' This statement must be received cum grano salis, as, on my inquiry-What men?' my informant replied 'A box of chessmen,' which answer, from its levity, threw an air of doubt over the whole piece of information, in my mind. There can be no question, however, that Lieut. Beale has frequently traveled this route, and that it was a favorite with him; indeed, I am informed that he took the first omnibus over it that ever left San Francisco for the Mission of Dolores. "The climate in these latitudes is mild; snow appears to be unknown, and we saw but little ice; what there was being sold at twenty-five cents per lb. "The geological formation of the country is not vol canic. I saw but one small specimen of trap during the march, which I observed at The Valley House,' with a mouse in it. From the vast accumulations of sand in these regions, I am led to adopt the opinions of the ethnologists of the 'California Academy of Natural Sciences,' and conclude that the original name of this territory was Sand Francisco, from which the final 'd' in the prefix has been lost by time, like the art of painting on glass. "Considering the innumerable villages of pigs to be found located on the line of march, and the consequent effect produced on the atmosphere, I would respectfully sug gest to the Chief Engineer the propriety of changing the name of the route by a slight alteration in the orthography, giving it the appropriate and euphonious title of theScentral R. R. Route.' "Respectfully submitted, "ABRAHAM DUNSHUNNER, LL.D. "P. G. C. R. R. R. S." From Southwick's Pass, the survey was continued with unabated ardor until the evening of the 10th instant, when we had arrived opposite Mrs. Freeman's" American Eagle," where we encamped. From this point a botanical party under Prof. Weegates was sent over the hills to the S. and W. for exploration. They returned on the 11th, bringing a box of sardines, a tin can of preserved whortleberries, and a bottle of whisky, as specimens of the products of the country over which they had passed. They reported discovering on the old plank road, an inn or hostel kept by a native American Irishman, whose sign exhibited the Harp of Ireland encircling the shield of the United States, with the mottoes "ERIN GO UNUM, E PLURIBUS BRAGH." On the 14th the party arrived in good health and excellent spirits at the "Nightingale," Mission of Dolores. History informs us, that "The Nightingale club at the village was held, It is interesting to the Antiquarian to look over the excellent cabbage garden, still extant immediately opposite the Nightingale, and much more so to converse with Mr. Shears, the respected and urbane proprietor. The survey and reconnoissance being finished on our arrival at the Mission, it may be expected that I should here give a full and impartial statement as to the merits or demerits of the route, in connection with the proposed Railroad. Some three months must elapse, however, before this can be done, as the triangulation has yet to be perfectly computed, the sub-reports examined and compiled, the observations worked out, and the maps and drawings executed. Besides, I have received a letter from certain parties interested in the Southern and Northern routes, informing me that if I suspend my opinion on the "Great Central" for the present, it will be greatly to my interest-and as my interest is certainly my principal consideration, I shall undoubtedly comply with their request, unless, indeed, greater inducement is offered to the contrary. Meanwhile I can assure the public, that a great deal may certainly be said in favor of the Central Route. A full report accompanied by maps, charts, sub-reports, diagrams, calculations, tables and statistics, may shortly be expected. Profiles of Prof. Heavysterne, Dr. Dunshunner and myself, executed in black court plaster by Mr. Jinkins, R.A., one of the Artists of the Expedition, in his unrivaled style of elegance, may be seen for a short time at Messrs. LeCount & Strong's-scale 1 inch to 1 foot. RECONNOISSANCE OF THE CENTRAL RAILROAD ROUTE, FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO THE MISSION OF DOLORES, By Prof. John Phoenix, Esq., A. M. &. C. A. & C. E. DRAWN BY KRAUT AND JINKINS, R. A., ARTISTS TO THE EXPEDITION. KEARNY STREET. Plaza. Orphans. 1 7 8 3 4 6 7 5 1 NOTE-The soundings are in fathoms, showing the depth of mud and water during the rainy season. MARKET STREET. (a) (a) Represents a man walking down the street at the time of the passage of the Expedition. In conclusion I beg leave to return my thanks to the Professors, Assistants, and Artists of the Expedition, for the energy, fidelity and zeal, with which they have ever co-operated with me, and seconded my |