to my record on that subject. I believe the Pacific Railroad to be a national and political and military necessity. I believe that there should be a railroad binding this great Continent together with its iron bands. It is riveted and banded together now by mountain and river and plain, upon which are written : "What God has joined together let no man put asunder." And when the tide of immigration poured across these Plains and made these States of the Pacific Coast, looking out over the slope of the Sierras across the Pacific Ocean to the birthplace of mankind, the Continent of Asia, I believed it was our duty, the duty of those of us living in the older States, to make the means of transit between the Pacific and Atlantic States not a slow and toilsome journey by ox or horse or mule team, but by the iron horse that we have in all other portions of the land. Years and Years and years ago, before there was a Pacific Railroad bill passed in Congress, I was its earnest advocate. When men talked about the amount of money that would have to be paid by the general government in the building of a line of road, I said that was not an iota in the balance in comparison with its national benefits. Since that time the necessity for it has been enhanced. It is needed for the development of this mineral wealth. Go with me to Austin, where I saw their seams of silver with my own eyes. There are mines there which would be sources of wealth on either side of the Sierra Nevadas. Many of them, besides those now being worked, could be developed, but cannot be now. Why? Because of their distance from their base of supplies; because

of the great cost of freight,—of machinery. But when we have a Pacific Railroad opening to this vast interior region, with all its enormous resources, then the mining pioneers of our country will be able to work with great profit the mineral lands which cannot now be worked at all. It will pay back to our national treasury far more than the bonus which may be given to aid in the construction of such a railroad or railroads; it will add to our national wealth; besides being a bond of union, firm as the eternal hills, over which the tracks will run. And I believe that it is about to come, and come rapidly, if continued peace enables us to devote the energies of the country to it."

Several days were spent in and around Virginia City, in examining the mines. The famous "Comstock Lode" was fully explored by the party, with all its wonderful wealth of silver. Then leaving Virginia City, by stage, the party drove rapidly towards the great mountain range of our western coast, the Sierra Nevada. The journey was resumed by sunrise, and breakfast was eaten at Steamboat Springs, a place which derives its name from a series of remarkable springs close by, from which the hot steam escapes in puffs like those of a steamboat. Then, plunging down into the valley, they drove by Washoe Village and Lake, where a bountiful lunch and a warm welcome, which were gracefully acknowledged by Mr. Colfax, awaited them. Further on, at Carson City, the capital of the new State, Mr. Colfax was met by a volunteer company headed by a brass band and the Governor of the State. Speeches and a dinner were the order of the day at this place, and then the ride was resumed.

Climbing the eastern slopes of the Sierras, with the sighing of the tall pines filling the moon-lighted air with their strange, weird music, the travellers came to Lake Tahoe, whose waters danced merrily in the moonbeams in their lofty bed six thousand five hundred feet above the sea level. A little steamer, just built, was waiting at the hotel for the distinguished guests, and had the honor of carrying as its first passenger the "third officer of the Government." The sail over the lake was delightful, and after this was accomplished, the stage rolled on, down the western side of the Sierras, into California. The road over which it passed is a marvel of western energy and fertility of resource. The whole road, from Carson City, Nevada, to Placerville, California, a distance of one hundred miles, is sprinkled regularly every day during the Summer by water carts, to lay the dust for the travellers. Placerville was reached after nightfall, but not too late for a splendid reception by the citizens. Speeches and a grand midnight dinner were the programme. The stages were now left behind, and the Speaker and his friends were embarked on the cars of the railroad and conveyed to Sacramento, sixty miles distant, which was reached in the morning in time to partake of a sumptuous public breakfast. Then, embarking on a large and handsome steamer, as comfortable and as elegant as any on the Eastern rivers, a delightful sail down the Sacramento river, brought them to San Francisco, the "Golden City of the West," late on the night of July 1st, where quarters had been provided for them at the Occidental Hotel.

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CHAPTER IX.

Review of the Journey-Departure for Oregon-Journey through that State-Portland-Excursion on the Columbia River-Reception at the Dalles-Washington Territory-Reception at Olympia-Puget Sound-Reception at Vancouver's Island-Speech at Victoria-Return to San Francisco-Excursions through California-Honors to Mr. Colfax by the Citizens of San Francisco-The Chinese DinnerThe Parting Banquet-Speech of Mr. Colfax-Departure from California-Remarks of Mr. Bowles on Mr. Colfax's Receptions by the people-The Voyage home-Panama-Crossing the Isthmus-Arrival in New York-Mr. Colfax's Lecture.

THE Continent was crossed. Mr. Colfax and his companions had travelled fifteen hundred miles by railroad, from the Atlantic to the Missouri, two thousand miles, by stage, across the Plains and mountains, sixty miles by railway again, and then one hundred and fifty miles by steamboat down the Sacramento river-a grand total of three thousand seven hundred and ten miles—in seven weeks. This, too, in almost a straight line across the Continent, or as Mr. Bowles aptly says, "Within hail of a single parallel line from East to West, and still the Republic!

A few days were spent in San Francisco in seeing the sights of the city, and enjoying the private hospitality of the citizens-all public demonstrations being delayed until the Speaker's return from Oregon—and on the 10th of July, the party bent their steps northward, for a visit to Oregon and Washington Territory. The railroad dropped them in the Sacramento Valley,

about fifty miles from San Francisco, and from this point the journey was continued by stage, through a country almost tropical in the richness of its natural productions; by the little town of Red Bluffs, now noted as the home of the widow and daughters of John Brown; and in sight of the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Shasta, king of the western range, reared its lofty head high above its companions, as if to assert its royalty, and extorted the enthusiastic praise of the travellers. Soon the Oregon boundary was crossed, Jacksonville passed, and late one afternoon the party enjoyed, from a lofty hill, a glorious view of the beautiful and fertile Valley of the Willamette, which is green with its abundant grass all through the entire year. Eugene City, Corvallis, Albany, Salem, the capital of the State, and Oregon City, were passed in the order named, and Portland, the largest city in the State, was reached. This city has a population of seven thousand and is the great centre of trade in the State, being no mean rival of San Francisco itself. It is situated on the banks of the Willamette river, about twelve miles above the junction of that stream with the Columbia, and one hundred and thirty-two miles, by water, from the Pacific Ocean. It is accessible by ships and ocean steamers of the largest size, and many of the latter are to be seen in its harbor during the busy season.

Mr. Colfax and his friends were the recipients of the cordial hospitalities of the people of Portland, and during his brief visit the Speaker made many friends there.