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      The following extract from the Chicago Tribune, giving an account of the public reception given to the excursionists on their return through that city, together with the speech of Senator Wade and others, on the occasion, affords most satisfactory evidence that the anticipations of the railroad company, with reference to the favorable effects of the excursion upon the public mind, will be more than realized:—

      Formal Reception—Meeting at the Opera House—Address of Welcome by Mayor Rice—Replies by Director Lambard and Senator Wade.

      The returned excursionists from the Far West, over the route of the Union Pacific Railroad, were formally welcomed yesterday back to our city. The Committee of Reception, whose names were published in our issue of yesterday, met the excursionists at the Tremont House at nine o'clock in the morning, and escorted them around the city. A tug was chartered in which the party visited the crib at the other end of the lake tunnel, then sailed up the river, inspecting those portions of the city which lie along its variegated banks. Flint & Thompson's elevator, and one or two

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      other objects of special interest, were halted at, and the party entertained with a description of the modes of doing business which obtain in our young giant city. The tug having performed its duty, the party proceeded to the Board of Trade rooms, and tarried a few moments; there were, however, no speeches made, those being reserved for the formal reception of the afternoon which was given at the Opera House.

      At two o'clock the doors of the Opera House were thrown open, and the few who were waiting in anticipation of that act walked in. A little later came Vaas' Light Guard Band, preceding a delegation from the Board of Trade. They entered the hall, and took their places in the orchestra, and while playing the overture—a selection from Massaniello—the citizens came. The attendance was not large, but eminently respectable. Many of our oldest citizens were there, but the great mass of the business world was too much occupied to be able to spare an afternoon on so short a notice. The lower part of the house was nearly filled, and a few ladies and gentlemen occupied the balcony circle.

      The platform was occupied by the excursionists, the Committee of Reception, and a few other prominent citizens. The scenes were thrown open to the extreme rear, exposing the full depth of the magnificent stage.

      Hon. J. B. RICE, Mayor of Chicago, called the assembly to order, and delivered the following address:

      "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

      "I was very much gratified this morning when I was informed by one of our citizens that I should be permitted here this day to speak a word of welcome to the ladies and gentlemen who have just returned, and who have been on an excursion to the Far West, and are back now in the city. It is very gratifying to me, as the Mayor of the city, to find this demonstration made here to receive with welcome and heartfelt kindness these gentlemen who are so

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      earnestly enlisted in improving our country, in opening our great thoroughfares by which cultivation, commerce, civilization, and Christianization shall pervade all parts of our common country. [Applause.]

      "But little more than one week has elapsed since the ladies and gentlemen, that are here, as your guests, left Chicago for the Far West by railway. Since that time they have been in the midst of the lodges of the Pawnee Indians who are scattered on the boundless and fertile, but uncultivated prairies of our country. This party is called a party of excursionists, but they are really a party of men of energy and ability, with minds to conceive and genius and talent to execute this great national work which is to connect this city of Chicago with the Pacific Ocean. [Applause.] Where could they expect or where will they receive a more heartfelt welcome than they will in Chicago? [Great applause.] Not for the pecuniary gain alone to commerce and to agriculture, but for those higher qualities by which our whole race is to be benefited in mind as well as in body, and which only wait the completion of the work which they have undertaken and are carrying on so successfully. It is no part of mine, being entirely ignorant of what has been done, to explain to you the occurrences and the results of this excursion, this formal opening of so large a portion of the eastern end of the great railway line now completed, I believe, two hundred and seventy-five miles beyond Omaha. Not many of us know even what Omaha is. We will hear. In the first place I will announce to you some resolutions that have been passed, after due consideration, by many of our most eminent citizens, some of whom were in the company. These will be read to you. After these have been read, I will introduce to you some of the men who have been there to see, and who will tell you what has been done and what is going to be done, and when it will be done. I call on Mr. Rountree to read the resolutions."

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      "J. M. Rountree, Esq., then read the following as the resolutions which had been adopted, and were submitted to the meeting for its action. They were unanimously adopted on motion of the Mayor:

      "In view of the appreciation the citizens of Chicago have always entertained for enterprises which tend to the development of the resources of the country, and to our power, wealth, and unity as a people, rendering us consolidated at home and the special objects of admiration abroad, we recognize in the construction and opening of the Union Pacific Railroad another great achievement, reflecting vast credit upon the American people, binding together by, we trust, indissoluble bonds, the hitherto widely separated districts and peoples, outlets for central wealth, avenues for new enterprise, and another great artery through which shall flow boundless wealth and prosperity to our city. Therefore, be it

      "Resolved, That the city of Chicago does hereby tender to the Managers of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the excursionists who have celebrated the formal opening of that road, its most cordial and hearty welcome.

      "Resolved, That we esteem the projection and prospective completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, a matter of vital interest to our city, securing to us the most direct, cheapest and convenient mode of transit from one section to another across our vast continent, rendering Chicago the most prominent point on their great line of communication from seaboard to seaboard, and the principal entrépôt of ever increasing and multiform products of the vast region which this national highway traverses.

      "Resolved, That, in the name and in behalf of the citizens of Chicago, we cordially endorse and heartily support the action of the National Legislature, which has loaned the public credit to aid private capital and enterprise in building the gigantic work of national utility and necessity; and we hope and trust the same public spirit which has actuated Congress in behalf of the Union

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      Pacific Railway will be exhibited to aid the proposed improvement of the inter-State water way-from the Mississippi to the Atlantic seaboard, believing that such pecuniary assistance will be repaid to the Government one hundred fold in the development of material naval and military resources of our country.

      "Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby tendered to the proprietors and managers of this signal enterprise, assuring them of our highest appreciation of its magnitude, and for the skill, boldness, and ability which projected, and the marvellous rapidity with which it is being carried forward to completion."

      Mayor RICE—I will call now upon one of these men who are engaged in this noble national work, and in doing so I again offer them the hearty welcome of the people of Chicago. I call upon the Hon. Charles A. Lambard, of Boston, one of the Directors of the Pacific Railroad. Mr. LAMBARD spoke as follows:

      "As a Director of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, I feel bound to say one word to you in response to this cordial welcome, for Mr. Durant, our Vice-President, who is kept away from us by sickness. In his behalf, then, and in behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, let me thank you for this kind reception. Let me return thanks here in a public manner for the many kindnesses we have received in the West. Wherever we been we have received the greatest kindness and the most lavish hospitality from all your citizens. Indeed, sir, the devices and ingenuity with which they have insured our comfort, safety, and happiness over these long lines of railroad, have excited the admiration and wonder of our friends. No men educated in a country less magnificent in resources or less expansive and liberal in influence, could conceive or do more for stranger friends; no men less learned in nature's learning could have devised the mise en scene we have so thankfully beheld, and so successfully carried out a plan to develop it. In regard to this subject,

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      and in relation to the great enterprise which we have been more than seven hundred miles west of your city to celebrate its partial completion, I will say, it is an enterprise more grand in its conception than any which has yet been completed or conjectured. I do not propose to make any very serious remarks in behalf of the excursionists, but let me say they never will forget your city of Chicago, and the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company, and its gentlemanly officers; we will never forget the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. They will never forget you, Pullman, and you, Kinsley. (Great applause.) These excursionists, Mr. Mayor, consisting, as they do, of gentlemen from almost every State of the Union, men of all professions, men holding high positions in the gift of the Government, men and women judgment, will carry back to their homes new ideas of the greatness and the magnificence of this section of our country. Such excursions cannot but be beneficial in their influence upon us all. Let me again, sir, thank you for these pleasant hospitalities, and give way to other speakers."

      The Chairman then introduced Honorable B. F. Wade of Ohio, as a gentleman who had seen the country over which the party had travelled and would tell them what he thought about it.

      Mr. WADE, on being introduced to the audience was received with loud and long continued applause, and upon its subsidence spoke as follows:

      "MR. MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:—

      "I feel entirely inadequate to express to this assemblage the feelings which I entertain upon the subject under consideration. I have looked over the map of the whole country for a good many years, and at an early period of my study of the geography of our country and its history I was impressed deeply with the importance of this location, Chicago—and about thirty-two years ago I visited this city, or the site where the city now stands, for

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      at that period there was no city here—there were a few rude buildings, and some gentlemen, attracted by the location and prospective importance of the place, interested in its future building up, and, like myself, believing it might grow into a great city. I attended, I recollect, a court here at that time, but there were hardly any inhabitants and very little to do in the court. I cannot describe the condition of this place at that time. I have been over the city to-day, and endeavored to recollect the sites where the important transactions were, even where the Court House stood; but I am entirely unable now to form any definite opinion where the place was, and so of all the rest of the city. We have all heard of the wonderful and amazing growth of this city; of the great, bold enterprise of its inhabitants—the whole country is deeply impressed with these sentiments, but, sir, it takes the presentation of the reality before us to enable us to understand the full power of your operations here. [Applause.] I have been amazed to-day, as I passed through your thoroughfares and viewed the wonderful progress that has been made in that short period. I believe that to-day you constitute a city, third in point of population, and first, I may say, in point of enterprise, upon this continent—[applause]—and I doubt whether you yourselves understand the full importance of the position on this continent which you occupy. I am sure, sir, until I passed through this excursion, I had really no conception of the importance of this point, Chicago, and, what is still more important, of the vastness and richness of the great country that lies west of you, and which is bound to contribute in the future, so much to build up the second, if not the first city upon this continent. [Applause.] I have always been a strenuous advocate for a railway communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. I have never doubted that it was a political as well as a commercial necessity, without which I do not believe that our great and glorious republic could be amplified and grow to its full dimensions. I have always been willing, as a member of the National Legislature, to do almost anything that

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      would encourage our enterprising men to engage in this great enterprise—so great, sir, that the minds of our most courageous capitalists were almost appalled at its magnitude; and its importance was still greater than its magnitude. But, I have been over the ground, and as I passed over it, sir, looking out of the car windows and endeavoring to view every acre of the ground we passed, of the most fertile character I have ever seen, I have realized that there was nothing in the East that at all compares with it. Its capabilities exceed the imagination of any man, and we can hardly arrive by our imaginations to the importance of this great and fertile country, when it shall be covered with a dense and enterprising population, and all those fertile acres cultivated, even as the land is now cultivated in the Eastern States, and the whole of its agricultural wealth is to find its outlet through this great city. [Applause.] And that, sir, is only the commencement of it. Its agricultural wealth and productions are nothing compared to the mineral wealth lying hidden now in the mountains of that region. Why, sir, to speak of the political necessity, some men have talked about the disunion of these States. I never was one who believed in that, because I have never seen where the Almighty had erected a barrier sufficient to divide our nation into parts. [Applause.] You may look to the Gulf of Mexico, and to all our extreme southern boundary; you may traverse that line up to Canada, and even there you will find no adequate boundary. [Great applause.] You may go west from the Atlantic Ocean, traversing these vast fertile plains over which we travelled, and you will find no place for an international boundary line. No secessionist nor disunionist can go over the ground and designate the line where disunion could possibly take place. [Applause.] I never believed the thing possible, and with a genial people, homogeneous in all their sentiments, their habits, their education, all, as it were, one family, for any man to suppose that there is anything that can finally rend them asunder, is utterly preposterous. I mean to the crest of the Rocky Mountains, for there, in my judgment, is the only place where

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      any separation could by any possibility take place. And when I contemplate that and see that vast region beyond, rich as the other in agricultural capabilities, and infinitely richer in the material wealth, and peopled too by the same class of people, still, sir, I might fear that ambition might conceive the idea that beyond the Rocky Mountains, on the Pacific coast, a great and prosperous nation, separate from us, might be built up, and when I contemplate that, sir, I think I see the necessity of intimate connections with that people by commerce, by social relations, and all those ties that bind nations together [Applause.] Not believing that there is any danger of such a thing, for, for the honor of that great people over there be it said, they have given us no intimation that there is any design to separate themselves from the rising and prospective glories of this great republic. [Applause.] But, sir, it is a dictate of prudence politically to cultivate the most intimate relations with that people, and use every facility for connecting ourselves most closely with them. How, sir, should this be done? Man's ingenuity has invented no other way except the all-efficient instrumentality of the railway. And that is sufficient to bind nations together this day infinitely stronger than the people of the old time were capable of. Therefore, sir, I do honor to all those who, either through patriotism or the far-reaching knowledge of their own interests, are taking in hand to expend their capital, their thought, and their labor on this great enterprise. And as we proceeded west over those vast plains, and found what the energy of those men had done, it filled our minds with the greatest degree of admiration. As the gentleman who preceded me has said, there was no man among us whose heart did not warm toward the men who engaged their fortunes in this great enterprise. They have prosecuted it with an energy that astonished me, whether it did others or not. I had no idea that this road was creeping along with such facility toward its western termination; and when I saw it I felt glad that all the votes I have ever given in Congress, having any connection with this great enterprise, have been to aid it. [Applause.] I labored

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      to have it done, long before it was. There was a time preceding the war—for this great work has been in contemplation for a good many years—that we fought this thing persistently, but without success; we could not get it through Congress. We sent out surveyors to prospect and estimate the cost of the different roads through the Rocky Mountains and on to the Pacific coast, and they reported that it would cost a hundred millions of dollars to establish this road there, and men thought this sum so great that no nation could afford to engage in the enterprise. You all know the arguments used in Congress against it. It was extravagant, it was enormous, it would bankrupt the nation to undertake it, yet a private company of individuals, aided a little by the Government, have gone on and rendered it not only possible, but have, in a great measure, accomplished the work. [Applause.] As the gentleman who preceded me stated, we traversed the road seven hundred miles west of this place, into the very heart and centre of the continent, and there we found them going on almost as fast as man could walk. Indeed I did not know at one time if we should be able to get to the end of it, for I will say that they are prosecuting it with an unabated energy, and with a unity of purpose that is perfectly amazing. Every workman knows his place—every one is as busy as he can be—the work goes perceptibly on while you stand there viewing it; and, sir, this is most honorable to those gentlemen who have this great work in charge. I tell you that five years will not elapse before you may take the cars here and go to San Francisco in four days. [Applause.] And then think of the developments of that great country which will be disclosed. How is it now, sir, in your Rocky Mountain region, a region so remote and so little known, that ten years ago, I recollect, in Congress, when we undertook to divide it up into Territories, we were puzzled most of all to fix the boundaries, because we did not know where they would run, and, if you look in our work you will find that we have bounded them on the west "by the crest of the Rocky Mountains, wherever that might be." We knew not if there was any gold or other minerals

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      worth looking after there. These, however, the energy and enterprise of our age have disclosed, and the question now is, how shall the wealth of those regions be developed for the advantage of the nation and the benefit of the world at large? I will say one thing here, by way of digression, that there are those who look upon the public debt consequent upon this work with great apprehension, but such gentlemen have not been of these excursionists. [Applause.] They have not looked to the amazing resources of this Government, agricultural, mineral, and otherwise. Now, just think for one moment what amounts of gold and silver have been dug out of these mountains under all the disadvantages of having no great mode of communication, when men had to drag their heavy and ponderous instruments for getting out these minerals over thousands of miles of untracked territory, and yet, sir, they have dug out those precious metals by hundreds of millions. Now, think of the vast chain of mountains, extending from the north of Mexico to the remotest north, running through this great Republic from end to end, and all full of these precious metals, and think when this railway shall be accomplished there, when these great and ponderous instruments so necessary to develop those minerals, shall be taken there by the speed of the railway, and that great mineral region shall be exposed to the enterprise of the American people everywhere with such ease and facility—where the workmen may be fed by railway communication—where all their wants can be so easily supplied—imagine, if you can, the immense wealth that will be developed almost instantly when the railway reaches those regions, and then doubt, if you can, the ability of this nation to encounter any debt whatever. [Applause.] And another thing occurs to me that I have no doubt will take place the moment this great thoroughfare reaches the Pacific Ocean; the whole course of trade and commerce will be changed by which all nations, ancient and modern, have sought the great and rich countries of the East. China and India will be reached in one-half, nay one-third the time we reach them

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      now, and they will find—for self-interest governs all these things, whatever the pride of nations may dictate—it will not divert the course of trade from its easiest channels, and when you have diverted the course of trade through our republic, all that Europe uses of the spices, teas, and silks of the East will come through this channel, here by you, the people of Chicago. [Applause.] I tell you, sir, and I say to this company, you have a right to be proud of what you have done, for you are revolutionizing the commerce of the world. I do not know that any man can now form a judgment of the exceeding importance of this great work; but I am glad, sir, that it has fallen to my lot to support it before the nation, to give my voice and influence in its behalf. [Applause.] I am glad, sir, that it stands recorded there that, through good report and through evil report, I stood by this as I stand by all those great thoroughfares that connect the interests of this great republic with one another. The gentleman alluded to that great international work, the water communication between here and the East, almost as important as the other, and worthy the enterprising people of Chicago to bring before the public, and I trust they will have the intelligence and the power to impress its importance on the whole people of the United States, so that that work shall go hand in hand with the other, and finally be accomplished. [Applause.] Therefore, again I say to you that the importance of this location transcends probably what most men think of it. If you are not to be the first city of this continent, you will never have but two rivals—San Francisco, on the Pacific, may contend the palm of greatness with you, and New York has got to run fast to get out of your way. [Laughter and applause.] You may deem that an extravagant expression, but recollect that New York city had to struggle for one hundred and fifty years before she had the population and wealth that you have to-day. Look at her history, and then at all this you have made up since I visited this, then barren spot, thirty-two years ago, and certainly neither your intelligence nor your enterprise are slow to perceive the great advan-

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      tages of your location; and what I have seen to-day convinces me that you will not be slow to appropriate all the advantages you possess. No people of this country have more of intelligence, more of enterprise, more of the American Yankee go-ahead-ativeness than the people of Chicago. [Applause.] I say again, there are but two cities on this continent that can compete with you and your posterity for the palm of greatness.

      "And now, as to the excursion. I have said before, and I repeat it here, that it was on the most comprehensive scale of magnificence that I have ever seen. The Company have stopped at nothing that would promote our happiness or bring within our grasp all the intelligence we could possibly acquire on this subject. They stopped at nothing, and there is not a member of that excursion party who would not admit the perfect organization that was brought about by the managers of the excursion. It was thoroughly organized—and, traversing this continent more than fifteen hundred miles, having to use different modes of conveyance, transporting this great company from one point to another without the least confusion or the least delay, was a work that required brains as well as generosity. Their arrangements were all perfect, and the enjoyment of the excursionists was as great as it was possible that it could be made by all that human ingenuity could give, and I believe there is not a man among them but feels to-day, in his heart, gratitude for the opportunities it gave him to be acquainted with our great country. Here I may also say, sir, that we took away out there, among the Pawnees, and brought face to face with barbarism, almost the entire instrumentalities of our highest civilization. We had there a printing-press; a morning paper was printed in the Platte Valley, beyond the hundreth meridian, and while the Pawnees were dancing their wild dances, the printers were working off a description of the scene. The spectacle was a novel and a gratifying one, and I doubt if, in the history of these times, which amaze and surprise men, there has been anything more surprising than took place on those remote plains. With the printing-press we had the telegraph, that

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      we might in a moment communicate with our friends at home from that distant region among the yells of the aborigines. For one, I enjoyed it more than I can express, and my gratitude to the gentlemen who invited me to participate in this great occasion is greater than I can express. To the people of Chicago, to the Mayor of the city and its officials generally, I also wish to return my most sincere thanks for their abundant hospitalities. They have done all to promote our pleasure, and make interesting this great excursion, that men could do.

      "I am thankful that I am enabled to return my thanks thus publicly to all who have contributed to our enjoyment, and with this expression will detain you no longer, as there are to follow me gentlemen who are much better able to describe the scenes through which we have passed. They will now address you."

      The following letter, copied from the Washington Chronicle, signed " Westward, Ho!" was written by Gen. J. H. Simpson, U. S. Engineers, and President of the Board of Commissioners, appointed by the President of the United States to examine and report, for his acceptance or rejection, completed portions of the Union Pacific Railroad.

      The name of General Simpson is also very honorably identified with some of the most important surveys that have been made across the continent, by order of the Government, for railroads, wagon roads, and military posts.

      It will be found to contain much valuable information respecting the character and progress of the work; and it is inserted here by permission of General Simpson, for the purpose of affording the latest reliable information upon that subject, as well as a complete and official refutation of the slanderous articles recently published in St. Louis and other papers, which are evidently hostile to this road, with reference to the manner in which it has thus far been constructed:—

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      I address you from this station on the world's great highway, the Union Pacific Railroad. The distance from Omaha is two hundred and ninety-three miles, and it is short of the west end of the completed track twelve miles, making the total number of miles of track in running condition, west from Omaha, three hundred and five miles. When we consider that two hundred and sixty miles of this road have been constructed during the present year in this out-of-the-way country, to which the iron, rolling stock, pine lumber, and many other essentials of the road had to be transported from St. Louis and St. Joseph by water, on account of the railroad connection being incomplete over Iowa, with Chicago, we are struck with amazement and delight at the boldness, enterprise, and energy with which this great undertaking has been carried forward by the Company constructing the road.

      A road constructed with such celerity naturally conveys the idea that it has been caused by the level character of the Platte Valley, through which it runs, and must have been accomplished at the expense of the good character of the track. But one has only to traverse it, as the writer has done, to assure him that this has not been the fact.

      I know no road in the country, except it may be the great railroads in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, which have been perfecting for a score or more of years, that can compare with this read in the general good character of its embankments, cuts, ditches, station houses, water tanks, depots, round houses, machine and car-shops, and all the other adjuncts which are essential to the construction of a first class railroad.

      To ride over the road and through the almost limitless valley of the Platte, with a speed equal to that experienced in the great railroads of the States I have mentioned, is to start within you ideas of the greatness, power, and progress of our country, which you cannot get in any other way in connection with the arts of peace. The power of the Government was shown in suppressing the late rebellion against the rightful authority of the nation, but equally is it now shown in the peaceful, happy, and yet powerful manner in which it is

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     extending its influence over this whole continent, and ultimately extending the blessings of Christianity and good government over the whole world. Surely we are in the hands of an Infinite and Beneficent Power, who is making this free Government a great instrument for carrying on His gracious purposes with regard to the amelioration of the human race; and is not all this a blessing for which the whole country should be thankful.

      To revert to the already happy effect of this road in shortening distances in time between remote places, the writer received a letter yesterday, the 23d instant, post-marked Washington, December 18th, or five days from the capital of the country; and this at the forks of the Platte, three hundred miles out on the Plains, and at the close of the wintry month of December. Surely this shows progress towards the Pacific.

      All along the road, where the Company has established its stations settlements are springing up rapidly; and here, at this point whence I write, North Platte Station, where three weeks ago, there was nothing, are already some twenty buildings, including a brick engine roundhouse, calculated for forty engines, founded on a stone foundation, at present nearly completed for ten engines; a water tank of beautiful proportions, as they all are along the road, kept from freezing by being warmed by a stove, also a fixture in every tank house; a frame depot of the usual beautiful design; a large frame hotel, nearly finished, to cost about $18,000; a long, spacious, movable building, belonging to General Casement, and his brother, Daniel Casement, the great track-layers of the continent, calculated for a store, eating-house, and for storage purposes; together with sundry other buildings.

      To this point the Company think of removing their offices from Omaha, and establishing it as a more convenient base for furthering their operations west.

      The great idea which this Company has in its aims and objects, is to get this great highway through to California; and it is this all-absorbing purpose which gives unity in all their operations, and has been the main spring of their hitherto unrivalled success. Already the route has been definitely fixed to Great Salt Lake, and the proximity to an air line from Chicago, considering the difficulties of the route through the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains proper, and the Wasatch Range, is a source of heartfelt gratulation.

      The Government Commissioners, Generals Simpson, Curtis, and Dr. White, are now here, examining the last completed section of thirty-

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      five miles, extending from the two hundred and seventieth to the three hundred and fifth mile post west from Omaha; and they express themselves highly pleased with the admirable manner in which the road has been built throughout. They occupy the beautiful car which was gotten up by the Quartermaster's Department, during the late rebellion, for President Lincoln, and which first carried him when his mortal remains were borne through a weeping nation, from the capital of our country to his home at Springfield, Illinois. The Government sold the car to this great national railroad company, and now it is used by its officers for national purposes in connection with the progress of this highway of the world.

      This main trunk is so admirably linked with the Sioux City branch, the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad branch, the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad branch, by the way of Atchison, and the Missouri Pacific branch, west from St. Louis, that all these roads should continue to be fostered by the General Government. These branches give equal facilities to all parts of our common country, and every citizen, as well as the Government, should take equal pride in encouraging this greatest of all enterprises.

      The writer had nearly forgotten to speak of the railroad connection with the net of railroads east of Omaha, by the near completion of the Iowa branch of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. This road the writer rode over last week, from Chicago, as far as St. Johns, twenty-two miles east of Omaha, and certainly before spring, if not within a month, the connection will be complete all the way from New York to the west end of the Great Pacific Railroad.

      Already an Express Company has been organised, called the Western Transportation Company, which is in operation day and night, and transports freight within five days from this, North Platte Station, to Denver. This, again, is progress.

      Major-General Samuel R. Curtis, whose name is mentioned in the foregoing letter as one of the Government Commissioners of the Union Pacific Railroad, died very suddenly while returning from this visit to the road. He was riding over from Omaha to Council Bluffs, in a car-

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      riage, in company with the other two Commissioners, when he expired almost instantaneously, and was taken to the house of his friend Colonel Nutt, in Council Bluffs, a corpse.

      Commissioners, General Simpson and Major White, together with Col. Nutt and Major L. S. Bent, accompanied his remains to his home in Keokuk, where they were received, and escorted to their last resting-place, with distinguished honors.

      General Curtis was a civil engineer of great experience and good reputation; an able and distinguished officer in the army during the late rebellion; and an upright, honest man, respected and beloved by all who knew him.

      He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of the Union Pacific Railroad, both in and out of Congress; and lived to see more than three hundred miles of that great work completed, and accepted by the Government.

      Since the occurrence of the events hereinbefore recorded, other events have either transpired, or may be predicted with some degree of certainty, in connection with the Union Pacific Railroad, to which it may not be improper to refer, in closing this somewhat prolix and desultory narrative.

      The Directors have fixed the location of the road over the Black Hill Range of the Rocky Mountains, upon the route followed by our party a portion of the distance on its return trip from the Laramie Plains.

      After three years spent in making the most careful surveys of the Rocky Mountain Passes, extending from the sources of the South Platte, on the south, to Fort Laramie on the north, it was found that this route would

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      be much more direct; and could be built in less time, and with much lower maximum grades than any of the other routes surveyed.

      The route as located, leaves the valley of the South Platte, at the mouth of Lodge Pole Creek, opposite Julesburgh, and follows up the valley of that creek about one hundred miles, when it crosses obliquely the divide between Lodge-Pole, and Crow Creeks. And thence across Crow Creek to the divide between that stream and Lone-Tree Creek, which divide it follows to the summit of the Black Hill Range at Evans' Pass. From the summit it follows down the southwesterly slope of the Black Hills to the Laramie Plains.

      Beyond this nothing has been decided upon with reference to the location, although several routes have been surveyed to the eastern line of California.

      This location leaves Denver city about one hundred miles to the south of the main through line of the Union Pacific Railroad; but a branch road, over a very good route, may, and probably will be constructed from Denver and the rich mineral regions of Colorado, to the main line, within one or two years.

      The route through Denver and Berthoud Pass was found to be comparatively impracticable—and the Company could not consistently bend the line nearer Denver, without discriminating too much against the through business of the road.

      The staging from the end of the track to Denver is now reduced to from thirty-six to forty hours; and a fast freight line has been established for the transportation of freight, from the end of the track to any point in the western Territories.

      The track laying was suspended in December, at a point three hundred and five miles west of Omaha, on

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      account of cold weather, and the want of materials. The grading is completed about fifty miles, and the ties are provided for more than one hundred miles west of that point. A sufficient quantity of iron rails has been purchased to extend the track to the Laramie river, a distance of two hundred and seventy-one miles from the end of the present track; and if an excursion party should start for the end of the track, just one year from the time that the late excursion party left New York, it will be quite sure to make its last camping ground as far west as the Laramie Plains.

      The Great connecting link has been completed from Chicago to the Missouri River opposite Omaha; and preparations are now being made to construct a bridge over the Missouri during the coming season; when this is done, and the track of the Union Pacific Railroad is extended to the Laramie Plains, the traveller may ride in the same car from New York city, a distance of nineteen hundred and sixty-seven miles, on his way westward across the Continent—and he must not be surprised if, during the year 1869, he can continue in the same car to Great Salt Lake City, a distance of two thousand four hundred and twenty-eight miles from New York.

      SO MOTE IT BE.

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