107. (JEFFERSON DAVIS) THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD Scarce A.Ms. (unsigned), 3pp, 4to., [n.p., n.d. ca. 1853-1857], in an unknown hand, being an analysis of railroad routes from and to various locations within North America with mileage and expenses prepared under Davis. In small part: "...The distance from the Miss. river to the Pacific Ocean by the El Paso railroad route is 1680 miles, The estimated cost $70,000,000...The same route extended to San Francisco gives a distance from the Miss. river to San Francisco of 2174 miles, an estimated cost of $93,000,000...The distance from the Miss river to the Pacific Ocean by the Albuquerque railroad route is 2090 miles. The estimate cost $97,000,000...The distance from the Miss. river at St. Paul to Puget Sound by railroad route is...1950 miles. The cost at estimate of the engineer in charge...$110,000,000..." A single docket indicates this as "No. 3", perhaps indicating this as the third in the series of surveys conducted. This report appears to be complete in itself. Fine condition. The Pacific Railroad Surveys (1853-1855) explored possible routes for a transcontinental railroad across North America. A substantial collection of natural history material was made during the surveys as well. The results were published in the 12-volume Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, published by the United States War Department from 1855 to 1860. Congress authorized the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis to conduct surveys for the railroad. Five surveys were conducted. The Northern Pacific survey followed between the 47th and 49th parallels from St. Paul, Minnesota to the Puget Sound. The Central Pacific survey followed between the 37th and 39th parallels from St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco, California. The fifth survey was along the Pacific coast from San Diego to Seattle, Washington. In 1853 Congress authorized the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis to conduct surveys for the railroad. In all, four surveys were conducted. The reports were given to Congress in December of each year as well as an elaborate one (submitted on February 22, 1855) on various routes for the proposed Transcontinental Railroad.       $1,000 - 2,000