American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-02
UNITED STATES AND MEXICAN BOUN-
DAIRY COMMISSION.
We comply with the request Of tho writer in
giving place to the following letter:

. =
giving place to the following letter:
WASHINGTON, May LIST, 1861.
DEAR -: In looking over the Telegraph Of
March 10Th, / saw an article dated at Socorro,
and from gentleman, presume, belonging to
the U. B. and M. Boundary Commission. Find
ing therein articles stated so utterly devoid OF
all truth and consistency, feel myself called
upon to correct these statements, and to set the
public opinion right in a matter involving great
interest, as well as in indicating the acts of
those who are absent, and who have been SO
falsely slandered. My position with tho Com
mission has rendered me oognisant of facts and
proceedings compromising the budget Of its
entire movements; therefore do l feel fully
competent to prove the authors statements in
correct and unfounded. The commissioner, the
Hon. John r. Bartlett, against whom the petty
peevishness of our Socorro author is directed, is
one who, by his uniform kindness, gentlemanly
bearing, and scrupulously just dealing with the
young men of the expedition, has rendered him
self most popular with even those who, prior to
seeing him, were influenced against him--whose
minds had received prejudice, all tending from
a source which the penman Of certain party
may be able to give information regarding.
At Indianola, where we first landed, know
the commissioner orders to have been sighted,
countermanded, and in various ways insulted I;
and yet all such contemplate provocatives
proved ineffective in disturbing the mildness
and lenity Of his character. Moreover, this
treatment continued throughout, until we
reached San Antonio, where the commissioner,
with an advanced party, left for Ell Paso and
not until forced, did he take that stand Of de-
termination which would have been his safe
guard against the malicious invectives of such
aa orr SOcorrO author
The writer states that the positions on the
survey have at last been defned--his letter
dating December 10th, 1850; and, moreover,
that such resulted in great dissatisfaction. He
labors under great mistake regarding each
assertion, for at the time the letter was written
q large portion Of the commission had not
reached its destination, and have proofs con-
elusive to show that the positions were not de-
fined until January. But for q moment forget
ting the true state Of things, let us admit that
the positions were defined; and yet l cannot
imagine what very great dissatisfaction could
have ensued, as large portion were still on the
plains, unconscious of their being assigned to
any particular duty, and longing for sight of
the hoped-for Ell Paso. He says, again, that
the selections have been made in total disre-
gard of assurances given at home, and with
manifest and glaring degree Of Partially and
sectional feeling" believe the Departments
are aware, and have proofs to show, that with
the exception of the heads of the commission
and it's chief officers, all appointments were
given to each gentleman as assistant in the
corps of surveyors, and the understanding was,
expressly, that those parties Of which the letter
speaks were to be formed at headquarters
when arrived at the field of action.
AS to the pay, it was general understand
ipu that fha amount would ha ohouf th;rxy-
seven or forty dollars per month, nor had they
any definite information when accepting their
appointments. So those assurances, of which
the author of that letter speaks, am rather
inclined to believe, were the imaginahons of his
overrun brain.
Regarding Partially and sectional feeling"
the writer had afterwards to learn the fact, las
the parties were not organized when he wrote,
that the heads chiefs of the different corps
sent in their applications to the commissioner,
for those most calculated to assist them, which,
with few necessary alterations, were acceded
to, resulting, as am confident the private let
tiers Of the gentlemen to their friends will prove
in entire satisfaction.
readily admit that there has been, in some
instances, parsimonious and mean spirit exist
ing, such as calumnies, envious remarks; but,
believe me, originating in spirits congenial with
gate annoyances similar to the Socorro letter.
1t was the understanding that the pay was to
commence from August, but subjected to the
departments, and not to yankeeism, as is COM
planned Of Many believed also, when leaving,
that our clothes would be furnished; but my
source, as well as others, of information was de-
void of authority, and, as the author knows, not
proceeding from the commissioner.
Again In reference to the commissary, his
statements are totally without basis.
Had the commissary, Geo. f. Bartlett, ESQ.,, not
had the articles so essential to our comfort,
we not only, in many instances, would have suf-
fered for them, but, where finding such articles,
the prices would have been enormous. The per-
centage he asked was not what he would have
been justified in demanding, nor was it more
than the mere cost of transportation. In many
instances are we indebted to the commissary for
placing himself to much inconvenience for the
of those in the commission.
But can we place reliance in any statement
coming from one who can subject himself to
such depraved society, and who, potwithstand-
ing the disgust he feels will submit until he
reaches the ella, and there, if circumstances tend
10 his interest, he will resign; or in other words,
he will live at the expense of the commission,
to disturb the peace and unanimity
of feeling which exist, and lastly, in q place
most needing the services Of all, will abandon
with his converts the expedition: most credit
able feeling-an honorable proceeding His let
ter and these intentions are the best comments he
can have. 1t proves the spirit of the man, points
him out as false, and but shows the motives of his
statements. 1t breathes throughout that sordid
interest, that cunning device it points him out
as traitor, and there stamps the libel upon his
letter. One so Disguised, whose native hon.
'esty shrinks from connection so vile and dis
honest, it seems wondrous strange could cringe
and bear up till the ella is reached ut least
fear for the poor fellow, lest he does not come
forth free from such contamination. He re-
marks also, that he should like to give true
statement of things ] find it the only redeem
ing point in the letter.
When left FL Paso, the 18th of February,
all things were going on Quietly and hnnnilu