American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-27
THE MEXICAN BOUNDARY GoMAassIoN.

THE MEXICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION
We take no pleasure in uttering words of CEN
sure, and il would be far from us TO permit the
interests or good name Of any one tosbe wan
tonly prejudiced through our columns. But
the following letter is from gentleman whose
yeracity cannot be impeached, and whose re-
sponsibility for what he utters will be every
where admitted. We believe, moreover, that
he is one who would nothing extenuate, nor
aught set down in malice" even when writing
of a deadly foe If in the statement here given
a shadow of injustice shall appear, none will be
more prompt than ourselves to remove it, The
affair spoken of, however, involves public in
terest, and before the tribunal Of the public we
desire to bring every case wherein abuses are
alleged to exist. .3@
SEcoRRo, Texas, Dec. 30, 1850.
DEAR ---: Col. Craigs train that accom-
panied us up viii leave in the morning for San
Antonio. and write you line with the expec-
tation of its reaching you in the course OF Feb
ruary i, in company with two others, arrived
here on the 9th, two days in advance of the
main party-our object being to discover water,
which now became scarce and not found in suff-
cient quantities in the usual places. We are
generally in excellent health, and, notwithstand-
ing the priyations and hardships of the trip,
have, most of us, gained flesh The greater
portion Of the commission are quartered at this
place; the rest with the commissioner ut Frank
lin, 16 or Is miles above, on the Rio Grande,
opposite El Paso. Our positions on the survey
have at last been defined, which has resulted in
great dissatisfaction. The selections for the
different places have been made, for the greater
part, in total disregard Of the assurances given
us at home, and with manifest, indeed glazing
degree of partially and sectional feeling. a
parsimonious and mean spirit has controlled the
whole organization Of the party, as far as the
subordinates are concerned. Our pay COM
mences from the first Of August, instead OF the
date Of appointments Yankeeing us out of
more than months pay, which, for great
many Of us, who will have the most laborious
duties to perform, has been put down at the
contemplate sum Of 1887 5Oper month. Before
leaving home, we were led to believe that our
clothing would be furnished by Government, but
we now, thousands of miles from home, have
learned that we have not only to pay the origi-
nal price for every article, except rations that
we get, but the cost of transportation is added
thus showing determination to retain the
whole of our niggardly pay. The commission,
er's brother is our commissary, and many Of
us doubt whether these proceedings are sane
toned by the department. We are now about
two hundred miles from the ella, which we ex-
poet to see between this and spring; and not
withstanding the strong dissatisfaction feel al
the course OF things am determined quietly to
submit, until know what our visit to the Gia
unfolds. If our expectations there be realized,
though Mr.. Bartlett may hold the helm, he will
] probably find that he cannot control the ship
/ am so much disgnsted with this subject, thai
will drop it, and assure you that unless Q
more manly and liberal course is pursued, there
WILL before many months pass, be a blow-up
Had l a set of instruments, could feel more
real independence than most of our party
then, in case our hopes of success on the Gils
proving vain, and should deem it proper tc
leave the commission, could locate in some of
the rich cities of the neighboring Republic,
with confident hopes of success. would like
to give you full and true state of the case
but the very thought of the manner in which
we have been humbugged creates such strong
| feelings of indignation, that am forced to ban
ish the idea for the present. This is what may
be truly called the last of creation, composed Of
miserable mud noveIs, mungrcr Pvpnnu1v..
| tinctured with few outcast Americans. Boots
$40 per pair-at home SO 60 Backing 81
cents box-all other things in proportion
Meanness has run so wild, as to
| give directions to the mechanics, (who, blythe
| by, took stand at Indianola, demanded and
received higher wages,) who were employed as
such, with the express purpose of turning their
particular trades to the benefit of the whole
commission, to charge us with such work as we
might require to be done, such as the making
| a pair of pantaloons or shoes, the materials be-
ing furnished by the individual for whom the
article is made This charge is handed to the
commissioner, who deducts the amount from
our pay. Yours, truly.