Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-21

daons Is exceedingly doubtful whether the party can b
gotten San Diego for months come unless
vessel should touch at this pont."
He had gotten himself out Of the United States-beyon
the reach of ready communication with the Department
and beyond that he had made provision whatsoever, bu
depended upon the chance OF United State ship touchin
i at Panama.
Now let stop here for and look a. the condi
ton of this under the management Of Cor Weller
He had received the 18Th Of February 66l 81 in ad
the Of his setting out the condition int
which he had the Goth Of March brought himself and b.
thirty three employees have already shown. Now would
any be trusted with the control Of such commits
son having hand abundant MEANS have reduced himself
to straits like these in short time, leaving his party wah
any of reaching their place Of destination Was
such fit to conduct so important survey? Will any
say he the proper do it Why, all The intel
i lgent young who went to California took get
their tickets through that they need be detained upon
i the coast Panama Bot this officer of the Government
going execute important duty br the Governmentwas
il excusable that be failed make the ordinary provision
The future which every intelligent private citizen took
| make for himself Would Democratic President who
wished do his duty have retained Colonel Weller under
these circumstances when add tks that he
had wholly neglected to make the report required By the Sec
Rotary Of tbs duties, and pay Of the persons employed
the commission, and failed render his accounts and
/ vouchers pursuant 10 instructions
The Senator from California says that the corps not
fully organized at Panama. and could no therefore, be
ported He is misiaken Colonel Weller, in his letter 10 the
Secretary Of State, Of the Goth of March, says:
81 have the honor report that under instructions from
your Department Of the Gath January last cmbarked om
New Orleans with necessary number OF employees on the
| Cd instant, and reached this city the 16th.n
In bis letter to William Nelson, United States Consul
Panama, he says: ssta
have with fnB complement of engineers and en-
ployees all OF whon necessary to enable
| the orders Of the Government"
There he is then Panama with his whole party asking
the United States consul provide the for him get
to San Diego and he not word to the Department of
State to the number Of bis employees He has his whole
corps with him at New Orleans and at Panama waiting
accident to furnish the means Of proceeding but gives in
formation TO the Secretary of State except that he had his
full corps with hm that he at Panama. and had provi
ded of getting further rendering no account
letting him know that the money with which he
was Insufficient and that more must be placed under his
troll and substantially his letter showed that the whole
mission in state of the most admirable confusion.
The Senator from California says there complaints
made against COL Weller by those who engaged with
him on the commission. He is mistaken Lieut. Whippe,
who was at Panama with him, complained in very strong
Of the Of treatment pursued by Col Weller to-
wards him and whoever will read the letter of Lieut. Whip
pe Of the 18th Of May, will that Col Weller treated him
with hauteur and contempt 1t is as follows:
PANAMA, MAY II, 1s49
ssh send herewith copy of letter Col Weller and
his reply that you may understand the condition which
am left by the commissioner.
for transportation and per diem allowance, according the
desire Of the commissioner which, when presented
he was willing to take and send to the Department at home
but refused to pay.
A. the same time presented at his request estimate
ThiSrequisition he never answered
Finding about to he peniles and absolutely Of
reach assistance the correspondence OF this date fol-
lowed.
sent to him also message by Mr. Gardner, with
quest that he would send to $780, and take receipt such
follows: Received Of the Hon. John B. Weller, United
States Commissioner the of which is design
ed pay for subsistence and transportation for myself San
Diego and to be refunded the commissioner covered
by proper youchers This he returned without
then wrote note to Major Vinton, desiring to know from
what appropriation transportation should be paid under
the circumstances stated
He returned verbal message merely referring Major
McKinsry, who is the steamer, out Of my reach
Should therefore, be left here without funds pay my
expenses here and obtain transportation for myself and
want San Diego and should my communication with you
write the COL Albert and have the
brought before the Government that the responsibility may
In case The person designated by the as quar-
promptly pays the expenses which may deem ne
eessar shall aequiesee otherwise it will be necessary to
be subject the control Of irresponsible person. with
commission and unknown the Government of the
United States.
A. II WHIPPLE.
Major Emory, Chief Assistant
and Typographical Engineer, Boundary Survey.
In this situation of things, COL Weller took passage for
himself and some persons connected with his commission in
steamer for San Diego, leaving large part of the scientific
corps Panama Their officers having the command of no
funds and provided for their transportation, an
effort made by the Consul, Mr.. Nelson, procure pas
sage for part of this corps in OF Rowland and Aspn
wallis steamers They agreed to take small number,
many they could possibly provide for buta difference
between COL Weers commssary and Lieut. Whipple
the persons who to be preferred None agreed on
and consequently none sent on
The following letter from Mr. Nelson to Lieut.. Whipple of
the 23d May shows this fact: |
PANAMA, Mar %. 1s49
Sin Your of the 9ad instant has been received An
arrangement had previously been made between Mr. o. S.
Wherby and myself, by which it determined that
tain number OF persons attached to the boundary commission
could be accommodated upon the Oregon. That
number designated by Mr. Wherby and the list arranged
to his satisfaction
Upon the strength of your recommendation and the appa-
necessity the commission for the services of those de-
already upon the list although much against my DESIRE the
boat being already too much crowded and his list with the
prices Of passage attached to Mr. Wtherby for
draft to the amount
This he refused alleging he washe person designated by
the Commissioner make the selection Of those who
CO. and that Mr. Conner carpenter and Others
the service Of the commission than those esgnat
ed by YOU willing pay their extra tickets
ed he could select the receive them but when
informed that the steamer already crowded. that tickets
for the persons question only issued upon the supposed
necessity of their in San Diego being Indispensable
he preferred OBTAINING the whole until the arrival of the
California rather than should go other than those selected
by himself For yourself and servant have secured passage
In haste, respectfully, your obedient servant,
w. NELSON.
Lieut.. WHIprLE United States Army, sc.
This is the in which the affairs Of this commission
conducted in Panama that mildly charac-
terized when call it bungling.
Col Weller however, in his proper person, reached
San Diego, and met the Mexican commissioner there. he
remained till the 18th Of August during which time il does
thot, ~