Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-16
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER:
UNITED STATES AND MEXICAN BOUNDARY.

UNITED STATES AND NEAlCAN bOUNuAhi.
The following account of the doings of the Com
missioners appointed by the United States and
Mexico TO run the Treaty Boundary Line between
the Two countries was received by member of
Congress by the last steamer from the Isthmus,
and has been obligngly communicated to this paper
for publication:
The Commissioners, Col. WELLER and General
CoNpE, appointed by the two Governments for the
demarcaton Of this boundary, met at San Diego,
California, on the 4th of July, ls49.
The first operation agreed upon by these gentle
men was the determination of the straight line OF
boundary from the junction of the Rio Gila with
the Colorado, to the point on the Pacific one marine
league due south of the southernmost point of the
port OF San Diego. This determination, on the
part of the United Staes entrusted to officers
OF the United States Corps of Typographical Engi-
neers detailed by the Secretary of State to perform
the scientific operations connected with this boun-
dary and Brevet Major w. H. EMORY was APP
pointed Astronomer in Chief.
The plan proposed by him was TO make series
of astronomical observations, simultaneously at
each extremity Of the straight line; Major EMORY
himself experimenting the operations upon the
Pacific and Lieut.. A. w. WHiPPLE conducting the
work at the mouth of the Gila. In order to deter
gitude between the two stations, system OF gun
powder flashes projected, and Breves Captain E. L. F.
HARDcAsTLE appointed to make reconnaissance among the
intervening mountains to determine its praccability
Upon the 10th Of july after the arrival of the Mex
can Commissioner Major Emory sent Lieut. Whppe, with
instruments &c the Punta, near the initial point Of
boundary with instructions establish astronomical OBJ
servatory and after took his own residence at the
place. The troops of the escort which be commanded,
accompanied him and the station honored with the title
of Camp Riley" With ory-eght inch meridian transit
and large zenith telescope, 10th mounted uFon firm PIERS
he now commenced series of astronomical observations
IL few weeks Mr.. A. B. GRAY, U. s. Surveyor,
camped near the Punta and employed his party running
the shore line of the bay.
Finally, Mr.. SALAzAH the Mexican Astronomer and Sur
veyo established astronomical station the vicinity
Having obtained approximate results for the latitude and
longitude of the observatory Major Emory desired to transfer
these determinations to the initial point of the boundary and
detailed Lieut. Whppe by reconnaissance and survey, to
ascertain its position upon the coast BY reference TO the
map accompanying the treaty, it seemed probable that he
souhenmost point of the port of San Diego be found
on the southern hgh.waer line of the bay From
thence south the marine league measured. and its e1-
emity transferred TO the Pacific coast Subsequently the
measured by Mr.. Gray but, when the initial point
finally settled, the two commissioners wisely agreed to
6uopl pOsitiOH iSeuis oiA
measurement from about the between high and low
line. This point officially marked with all the
foaes appropriate to the occasion, and afteward Major
Emory assisted by Capt Hardcase, connected it with the
observatory by careful triangula,ion The observations at
Camp Riley also rendered available the nautical world
by being transferred Punta Loma," the entrance the
port Of San Diego. .#,@ "@ a...
On the Goth Of July Capt Hadcaste with party, started
upon reconnaissance in the mountains COL Weller, with
Mr. Gray, designed accompany him, and proceeded
two days upon the journey but being injured by the acc
dental firing Of shot gun, he obliged 10 return After
absence Of two weeks Capt Hadcaste brought back
typographical sketch of extensive reconnaissance in this
hitherto unexplored region, with report furnishing much
useful information regarding portion the country through
which the boundary line pass and interesting
of the wild Indians who nhab its many fertile and beautiful
valleys Three prominent mountain peaks selected,
" Colorado" "Los Pnos" and " Wckamon," situated
render probable that chain of flashes could be carried
unbroken from the observatory the Pacific the
mica station the mouth of the Rio Gs thus aodng the
approved of determining the difference of
longitude between the two stations. .>
The celia astronomical party in charge of Lieutenant
Whppe and escorted detachment of Dragons under the
command of Lieut.. Couts, left San Diego the 10th of
September On the I'd Of October this party reached its des-
nation upon the right bank of the Rio Colorado and Lieut.
WHO was asslsteu TaIIy, ootanlst, anu
E. Ingaham, recorder Immediately established astronom
cal camp upon the high bluff opposite the mouth Of the Rio
Gia. Favored by dry climate and clear sky, be
abed in the month Of October alone, make sufficient
number of observations determine with much precision the
latitude and longitude Of the place. ,... ="
Unfortunately the chain of signals from the Pacific
complete Under the direction Of Capt Hardcase in the
mountains ably supported by Lieut.. Slaughter commanding
infantry detachment OF the escort there Of
energy carrying them They observed
lively from the "Punta" to sMount Wickamon" but the
last connecting link broken. None Of the flashes could
be seen. from the hills the mouth Of the Ga
In November, Major Emory dispatched messenger to the
Rio Ga with the results of his observations for the latitude
AID longitude of the initial pon. of boundary upon the Pacific
and received from Lieut., Whpple in the ssronom
cal position Of that point defined by the treaty the middle
of the Rio Ga where untes with the Colorado accompa
MED by typographical sketch showing the junction Of the
two rivers and what that officer had selected the treaty
point This shown to the u. s. Commissioner, who
approved the selection
The results of the observations made the astronom
cal stations having exchanged the azmuh of the sragh,
line joining them computed and marked upon ground
at each extremity Of this portion of the boundary thus
peng of ne pretest Of geodec operations purely by
astronomical means.
In the mean time, party organized under Mr.. Cray
the u s. Surveyor, to proceed the mouth of the Rio Ga
for the purpose Of making survey of the confluence of that
river with the Rio Colorado He passed the mountains and
fortunately found foopah for mules leading down into
Valleco Upon arriving New River be met COL Colyer