Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-09-27

the chain, the latter was for the future dispensed
with. The distance from San Antonio TO Ell Paso,
by the route of the Commission, was made to be
six hundred and seveny-threc miles. From FL
Paso survey along the windngs OF the Del Norte
has been conducted by assistant surveyor, Mr.. L.
Thompson, up TO the :" initial point in the river.
where il is crossed by the southern boundary of
New Mexico as marked in Disturnel's map.
Mr. Thompson finds this distance nearly one hun
dred miles, though its direct distance is only about
half that amount Thus the whole distance sur
veyed between Indianola and Initial Point" is
between nine hundred and one thousand miles.
Along this are distributed about fifty astronomi-
cal stations. At nearly all these stations nume-
rous observations were made for magnetic inclna-
ton, declinalon, and intensity. Barometric, ther-
mome,ric, and other meteorological observations
were daily made from the start, and are now as
gularly kept up.
profile of the road, as before remarked, was
determined between Indanola and San Antonio |;
and from thence 10 Preside de San Elzario
(twenty-four miles southerly from Ell Paso) an
Aneroid barometer observed at the top and foot
of nearly every hill which the road raversed.
These observations, when computed, are expected
to give satisfactory result for the profile of each
days march. Morning and evening the Aneroid
was compared with standard barometer. This
portion OF the work was Immediately undertaken
and performed by Mr.. John Bull, first assistant
surveyor, who, as well as his two assistants,
Messrs. Ihrie and Snowden, displayed much ener-
gy therein. The topographers of the survey, well
reported of, were Messrs. Steinweihr and Won
Nipple; Mr.. Chandler, and his assistant Mr. Force,
zealously and faithfully devoted themselves to the
meteorological observations. Mr.. KeuIewells at
,en,ion and care in astronomical and magnetic OBJ
servations are warmly eulogized by the acting
| chief astronomer.
| At three points extensive series of observations
have been Instituted. These are Preside de San
Elizario, Frontera, Whites rancho,) seven miles
above Ell Paso, and "I1itial Point," before alluded
to, situated near Dona Ana. At each Of these sta
tons lunar observations for longitude have been
made upon meridian transit, and the latitude has
been determined by means Of transit mounted in
the prime vertical.
The survey from Indianola to San Elizario has
been mapped in sheets, on scale Of one inch to
the mile, by Mr.. Won Nipple and his assistants,
Messrs. Wheaton and Snowden.
The Commission arrived near and at Ell Paso,
their winter quarters, early in December last,
where they remained making observations and 9TH
erwse engaged in preparing for opening the cam
paign as early as the spring would permit. On the
twenty-fourth of April last the initial point" was
established by the Joint Commission the point hav-
ing been first independently and then unitedly de-
termined by the American and Mexican asrono-
mers) in north latitude 32o 90. 1t was deduced
from four hundred and thirty-four observations on
eleven stars. This "point'' is on the right bank
OF the Del Norte, and is indicated by stone mo-
nument, distant 2l9.4 metres from the centre of
the present bed of tho river, at the base of which
is placed glass vessel containing copy in English
and Spanish of the Misunderstanding the adoption
of the "point by the Joint Commission, in the pre-
sence of assemblage Of persons Of both countries
In the vessel were placed list of the members
of the United States Commission, and a fragment
of the cornerstone of the Washington National
Monument The adoption of the I" initial point !"
was accompanied with some circumstances of for
maity, and the document was signed by the Com
missiOners and chief astronomers in the presence
of Capt. A. Buford, lst U. s. Dragons; Col.
Chas. A. Hoppin, aid-de-camp to his excellency
James s. Calhoun, Governor of New Mexico and
Don Juan Jose Sanchez, Political Chief of the
Canton of Brayos in the State nc rh;hn nhua, -
| first authority of that place.
The " initial point having been thus determined,
the attention of the Commission was directed to
running the line between it and where the meridian
of three degrees of longitude west of the "point !"
strikes the ella, being the point in the Gila where
that river commences to be the boundary between
the two Republics. With this view, the originally
appointed surveyor, A. B. Gray, Esq, not having
been heard from, Commissioner Bartlett, anxious
to avail himself of the season for commencing field
| operations and to push on the work, appointed
| Lieut.. Whipple chief surveyor. In this capacity
Lieut.. Whipple detailed Mr.. John Bull and party
to proceed by way of Cantonment Dawson, at the
Coppermines, (recently established by Lieut.. COL
Craig and command, escort to the Commission to
the nearest point on the Gia. Similar directions
were addressed to Mr. II. Thompson and party.
Mr.. Bull was to operate on the north bank of the
Gia. Mr.. Thompson on the south. The objects
TO be accomplished by these surveys were three
fold: To determine the middle of the Rio Gila,
which, from its intersection with the meridian three
degrees of longitude west of the "inital point
forms the boundary between the two Republics /;
to obtain typographical sketch of the country in
the vicinity of the river; and finally to make such
examinations should determine the practicability
of constructing road, canal, railway which, in
whole or in part, might run upon the river Gia,
| or upon its right bank, within one marine league
from the margin of the river. They were ordered,
however, that if within the limits specified they
should find any obstacle which might be avoided by
| a short detour upon either bank of the river to
make such surveys as may be necessary to show
how far from the river such route might lead
Upon arriving at the mouth of the Rio San Pedro
which running from the south delivers itself into
the left bank of the Gila-and the operations with
which they were charged being completed, they
were to report for further orders.
In May, the Commissioner himself repaired to
the Coppermines, where the headquarters of the
| IL / r - 4 u