Letter from Peter A. Dey to Samuel B. Reed, December 10, 1864

In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.

Omaha, NE
December 10, 1864

I shall forward my report with that of Mr. Evans and Case and think you had better send yours directly to Mr. Durant in New York. In case you do that be very particular in your language that it may convey its meaning fully and clearly to men, who have not devoted as much thought to the routes and lines and the topography of that country as you and I have.

I shall leave here about Christmas but feel anxious should I not be present to explain your papers that the Board at its annual meeting will see exactly what you have done. I have expressed myself so strongly in my letters to Mr. Seymore and Mr. Durant on the subject of your compensation that I feel that I can do nothing more. In conversation with Mr. Seymore, Mr. Williams and Mr. Henry, I made use of the following language, "that the examination of the Utah region was in the hands of the best man for the purpose that I know of" and asked Mr. Henry if I was not correct. He answered with considerable warmth and very positively "yes".