WESTERN INCIDENTS. 123

we might ina 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 occa-
sion 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 re-
turn 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.

“YT 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.”

GENERAL SIMPSON’S LETTER FROM NORTH PLATTE.

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 accept-
ance 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 Gov-
ernment, for railroads, wagon roads, and military posts.

Tt 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 refu-
tation 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 :—