The Republic

Extract of a letter from Col. Frémont to Col. Benton, dated MONTEREY, June 27, 1849.

"I shall be anxious to receive the best information relative to your plan for the railroad—what the prospects are for its adoption, and towards what point of this country it will probably be directed.

In conversing with Mr. Butler King and General Persifer Smith, a few days since, this road was a subject of general interest. I mentioned that the line explored in my last journey was admirably calculated for the road, passing the mountains between the Arkansas and the Del Norte, with scarcely an inequality of profile, and with knowledge obtained since our disaster showed would have been the character of its extension further west, to the Great Basin. A reference to the map will show you that this line crosses the valley of the Del Norte at the northern edge of the New Mexican settlements, a handsome and fertile country, whence a branch road might be thrown down the valley of the river and through the settlements, to Santa Fé. The road would enter the basin at the southern end of the Mormon settlements, and cross by way of Humboldt river. About midway of that river's course, a large valley opens into it, and up this lies an excellent way to a low pass near the head of the lower Sacramento valley. Before reaching this pass, a way diverging to the north affords a very practicable valley road into Oregon, and, in my opinion, far the best by which you can reach that country.

Immediately after this conversation, Gen. Smith determined upon a party to explore that part of the route which I have last described, with a view to report upon it at the ensuing session of Congress. He afterward called upon me to request that I would send him a written communication, to the same effect, in order that hereafter the credit of the suggestion might remain with me. It is not pleasant to see the work pass into other hands, but private means are inadequate to such undertakings here."