The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-03-11
TWO CENTS.

'"'SoSoPc, JUN HiOunteO upon uTm piers, ne now
commenced series Of astronomical observations:
In lew weeks, A. b. Gray, U. s surveyor, fixed
camp near the "Punta," and employed his party
IN running the shore line Of the bay. Finally, Mr..
odidzar, the mexican astronomer and surveyor,
established an astronomical station in the same
vicinity.
Having obtained approximate results for the
latitude and longitude of the observatory Major
Emory desired TO transfer these determinations 10
the initial point and the boundary, and detailed
Lieut. Whipple, by reconnaissance aud survey to
ascertain its position upon the coast, BY refer
ence 10 the map accompanying the treaty, il
seemed probable that the southernmost point Of
the port OF San Diego" was to be found on the
southern extreme high water line of the bay
FROM thence, south, the marine league was meas
ured and It's extremity transferred to the Pacific
coast. Subsequently the same was measured by
Mr.. Gray; but when the initial point was tin ally
settled, the two commisso oners wisely agreed To
adopt position farther north, which would result
from measurement from about the mean between
high and low water line. THIS point was officially
mafkeo, wih all the formaiitles appropriate to the
occasion, and afterwards Major Emory, assisted by
Capt. Hardcase, connected with the observatory
by careful triangulation. The observations a.
Camp Riley were also rendered available to the
nautical world by being transferred TO 'Punta Lo-
ma at the entrance of the port to San Diego
Upon the 10th July, Capt. Hardcastle, with
party, started upon a reconnaissance in the moun-
tains. Col. Weller, with Mr. GRAY, designed 10
accompany hIm, and proceeded one or two days
Journeys; but, being injured by the accidental
firing OF shot gun, he was obliged TO return
After an absence OF two weeks, Capt Hardcase
brought back a Typographical sketch Of an exten-
slve reconnaissance in thus therto unex pored
gion, with report furnishing much useful Infor
nation regarding that portion of the county
through which the boundary line TO pass, and
interesting accounts OF the wild Indians who in
habit Its many fertile and beautiful valleys. Three
prominent mountain peaks were selected" Colo-
rado," Los Pnos," and 90 Wckamon," so situ-
ated as to render il probable that chain OF flashes
could be carried unbroken from the observatory
on the PacIhc 10 the astronomical station At the
mouth OF the Rio Ciia; thus aiiordng the most ap-
proved means oi determining the true difference
OF longitude between the two stations
The Gila astronomical party, Rn charge of Lit.
WhIppe, and escorted by detachment of dra-
goons under the command of LIT. Couits, left San
Diego upon the 10Th OF September On the "a of
October this party reached ts destination uppn the
right bank of the Rio Colorado, and 1t. Wh,pple,
assisted by DIR. Parry, botanlst and Mr.. lngraham,
recorder, Immediately esabli shed an astronomical
camp on the high bluff opposite the mouth OF the
RIO Gila. Favored by dry climate and clear
sky, he was enabled, in the month OF October alone,
TO make a sufficient number of observations to de-
termine with much precision the latitude and lon
gitude OF the place
Unfortunately It was discovered the chain OF sig-
mails from the Pacific not complete Under
the direction Of Capt Hardcasile the mountains,
ably supported by Lieut.. Slaughter, commanding
an infantry detachment OF the escort, there was
no want OF energy In carrying them on They
were observed consecutlvely from the ''Punta' to
"Monnt Wickamon," but lha last connecting link
was broken. None OF the flashes could be seen
from the hills near the mouth OF the Rio CHA
In November, Major Emory dispatched a mes
senger TO the Gila with the results OF his obserya-
tions for the latitude and longitude OF the initial
point Of boundary upon the Pacific, and received
fiom, Lieutenant Whipple, IN return the as,rono-
mical position of that point, defined by the treaty
:" the middle Of the RIO ella, where 1t unites with
the Colorado" accompanied by typographical
sketch exhibiting the junction of the two rivers,
and what that officer had selected as the treaty
point. This was shown TO the United States Com
missioner, who apprOved the selection.
The results Of the observations made at the two
astronomical stations having been exchanged, the
aximuth Of the straight line joining them was COM
puted, and marked upon the ground at each extre-
nifty Of this portion OF the boundary thus com
peung one OF the prettiest of goedetic operations,
purely by Astronomical means.
party, In the meantime, was organized under
Mr. Gray, the u. ;. Surveyor, TO proceed TO the
mouth OF the Gila, for the purpose ot making
survey OF the confluence of that river with the
RIO Colorado. lie passed over the mouatains,
and fortunately found a foot path for mules, lead
ing down into Valeciio. Upon arriving at New
River, he met Col Collier, escorted by detach-
ment OF Dragons, under the command OF Lieut..
Beokwlth, aud was induced to return with this
party, conducting It, by the mountain route, to San
Diego.
Col. Weller, still desiring to complete during
the pre- sent season, all operations necessary to
determine officially this straight line OF boundary,
gave to Lieut.. Wbipple authority TO unite with Mr..
Sslszsr tor this purpose.
But the Mexican commission had not yet ar
rived al the mouth OF the ella, and il was feared
lest failure Of General Conde to agree to the
point selected as .'thc middle ot the Rio Giia
where u unites with The Colorado" might render
in vain much OF the labor, and prevent the com
plttion Of the work. Fortunately, November
a0th Mr. Salazar reached that station. Having
received from Gen. COnde powers similar TO those
conferred on the other party, he joined Ii Whip
pie Ia al examination oi The junction of the two
MYERS, cordially adopted the point previously Sc
lecied as that described by the treaty, and en-
tered into written agreement, rendering Off
cal the operations at that station. Although
surprised that the conformation OF the ground
should be such as to give to the United States
both banks OF the Colorado for nearly seven m,rs
below the mouth Of the Gila, together with the
beet military positions n the vicinity. there was
no hesitation on the part Of the Mexican surveyor
in accs ding Just Though strict construction Of
the treaty. On the following day the astronomical
fixtures were turned ever 70 the Mexican com
mission; and, in obedience to instructions received
from Major Emory. the camp at the Gila was
bfokenup.
MAJOR Emory, in the meantime, assisted by Capt.
Hardcastle. prolonged his azlmu,h line Of boundary
for bbout five miles from the coast, after which,
the fund II the commission keiag exhausted, he
repaired with the officers OF his command to san
Diego, awaiting orders from the department