New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-13
BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
The Valley Of the Pee Os-meeting with nexi-
northumberland Creek-Springs
Apache Mountains, &e.

Tuesday Dec. 10, 1850.
Ajsssys. Editors On the morning after leaving
the Pecos Ferry crossing the train amid fog and
drilling rain, wound along the Valley road, over
the southern bank, the trail being scarcely per-
cep,ible till after day break, when the eye could
scarcely trace the winding river called, appropri'
atelv of old, "Puercos, filthy, or impure, from it
red tipge. Pecos could only apply, perhaps, to
the Valley, as freckled or spotted with mounds !;
but like many significant names, the original has
lost all character by Texan pronunciation.
The day was miserably dragged through, the
.un being 90 yelled that the nearest hilltops
family exhibited similar outline to mere behind.
We met with few Mexican market-carts with
onions. large, dry and coarse, eight for two bits
and apples, small, dry, but sweet, like the pip
min ak for ten cents "but," said the seller cat
in Psso blanket full new measure, which
the Chihuaha folks excel In making by hand
The soil in this Valley is rich and strong;
loan or red mari, caleareous and argiaceous, and
retentive of moisture here and there consisting
Of broken shells and clay; very red, being highly
CHARGED with oxide of iron, aud OF fine texture, as
often found in the red sandstone formation. IL
contains sand of rather unctaous touch and stain.
Our animals are watered By teamster gangs with
which some, having ventured to water themselves
during the night, slipped into the current. Here
the second camp was pitched near the last OF the
market train from FL Paso having, in addition to
vegetables and fruit-dear bat most grateful to
those long without either-some corn, 50 bushel,
and mezcsl, at two bits 8 ass.
But TO return 10 our departure from the "a
crcos As it curves OF, between groups oftable
like and tumuli hills, to Horsehead, It crosses on
the northern line the nearest point about 10 miles
from Escondido Creek, which is not desirable for
encamping, being badly supplied with water and
grass and is rarely favored with company. Here
Connolly trail is crossed, from which TO Escon'
dido Springs the road is remarkably straight and
good having been all run on an Indian trail.
A soldier Of the escort in this spot was con-
signed 10 his last home in a blanket shroud, for
no coffin can be hastily put together In this lignt-
ly.wooded country and as we lett the ground
the wolves, that at night formed tnh chor LOT
asayagely doeful serenade, were boldly lowering
about for prey soon to rend in pieces the last re
mains plucked from the solitary tomb. Ihelr
bodv snatching may be prevented by covering-in
the graves with prickly pear and rocks:
From Horsehead Crossing on the Puercos to
Camanche Springs-deep and clear waser-ls the
principal Camanche trail, running south aud west
10 the main crossing of the Rio Grande, the most
extensive traffic route between Texan traders
and the tribes. One of the former, for many
wears notorious for re-selling to others goods
which he had before traded Oft, and hired the In
dams toS'plunder and return to his hands, has
lately departed from the Rio Grande, dreadlng
that new military post should interfere with his
old system of traffic, to the regret and loss OF the
tribe.
The establishing of military posts, with cavalry
as protection, on well selected spots, along every
main route, must finally destroy the Indian pow
err: but the most absurd and expensive force in
| such a Territory is an infantry. OF what use, If
escort, safe for defensive show, did Indians but
know their power against this poor arm on their
own chosen sitesl But the very name Ameri-
canos" is enough to drive the greatest Indian
Chief to his Businesses.
The Leon Springs are many and deep; the
larger one east of encamping ground.-well sup
piled with pasture-Rot being sounded at depth
of 200 feet; and the smallest in which one can
support himself by his elbows on the bank, is 20
feet. From this point q reconnaissance was made
by Col. Johnson, 7 E., to give more direct line
by running north of low ridge to the right of the
present road, but after crossing Toyah creek, an
affuent rising n K. Of the Apache chain to the
Puercos it struck into an impossible bluff, over
hanging thd north end of the main valley in that
range.
The only course west and by south is over q
rolling prairie for 40 miles, and as the bleak
bills behind recede from view, the eye is lost in
an immense horizon, bounded by plain, without
seen near or afar off, from every tint Of softest
blue changing into warm greys
All entrance through the Apache Mountains
seems blocked, but in moment you find your
self in valley, enclosed to the right and 'front.'
the highest range. To the left, brokenfaced
fronts and behind the deep Jaws of the Pass now
closed the view. The course through could not
be guessed at from the approaching plains or
valley, and seems completely enclosed. When
fairly within it might, indeed be supposed, $50
cus iHsidiis natus The road runs directly IN
der the nights to the right through broken accl
vities.
l regret that there is not time to give you the
remainder-the most interesting matter-on to
the Rio Grande bat the Typographical Corps
stationed at Preside de San Eliz ario were no! in
formed from FL Paso del Norte of this express
not heard of till the last moment, en- pasSant-to
San Antonio so very different to the maodus one
randi on the North Eastern Boundary Survey.
must, therefore, defer the filling up Of the gap for
the next express In haste, yours, Ink.