New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-14
United States boundary survey.
From the N. o. Picayune, Jan. 4.

ELPAso Del NoRTE, Nov. II, 1850.
As a short detail of the proceeding OF the Mex
can Boundary Commission will probably be inter-
esting, l undertake to furnish you with the most
important items within my knowledge. You are
informed no doubt Of all the particulars up TO the
time of our leaving San Antonio. Iwillcommence
therefore with that event.
The Commissioner feeling the necessity of his
immediate presence at El Paso, determined on
taking small escort with him and going through
by what is called the upper or Northern route
On 9th of October, at o'clock In the after
noon, the party set out. 1t consisted of the Com
missioner, DIR. Thomas II. Webb, Secretary Mr.
George Tburber, Botanist; Mr.. Moss, Geologist !;
and Messrs. Murphy, Clark Thompson Pierce
Garner, Young, Mathews, Weems, Dunn, Gre
mony, Stewart, Simms Wilbar, and Mechanic, oil
the Engineers Messrs Ferguson, Smith, Miller
and GRrritt Of the Mechanics seven teamsters
and one carriage driver Mr.. White, two white
servants and two Mexicans one man named
Gun who pretended TO be guide, but who was
entirely destitute Of any useful information, and
two others OF like calIber, who offered themselves
"a hunters aud guides.
The Commits sioner being supplied with the best
charts and compass obtainable launched boldly
on the hitherto almost untrayeled wilderness
We met with no Indians except party OF SIX
friendly Lipans, from whom the Commissioner
parchased fine mule. Our march was exceed
ingly toilsome and hazardous being employed the
greater part OF the time in making iords and
roads filling up ravines, from time TO time drag
ging out mired wagons and mules, and keeping
strict guard. In all these duties II is but just TO
saw that the Commissioner himself was ever lore
most, enforcing by his own example the necessary
of action in each member OF the commission The
tornado, or immense desert plain, which we had
10 cross before reaching the PecOs, was exceed
ingly trying to men and animals.
The distance is about seventy miles, without
one drop OF water, aud it was accomplished In
less than twenty four consecutive hours One
day and a half was allowed for recruiting alter
reaching the Pecos which we found tordab,e at
one point, thing heretofore unknown. On many
occasions we passed the remains and de6rtS Of
large Indian encampments, which gave evident
signs Of having been occupied but just before.
In some the fires were still burning aud the re-
mains of slaughtered oxen were fresh on the
ground.
After leaving the Pec0S we encamped next on
the Delaware Creek, where we encountered Sc
we're snow storm, which lasted two days Inc
weather was so threatening aud the storm so Sc
we're that, with the Guadalupe Mountains and
pass in front of %, the animals fast failing as our
aelyes reduced TO last rations and the distance
still one hundred aud sixty miles to ri Paso that
the Commissioner, with the example oil Fremont
before him, judged it most prudent 60 send aa eX-
press through desiring assistance. For this pur-
pose MIR. George Tharber, Mr. Moss ana TWO young
gentlemen were sent on.
Two DAYS subsequent Mr.. Bartlett thought 1t
best in order to relieve the train as much as pos
sible. TO go through himself, accompanied by DR..
Webb, his Secretary, and Messrs. Murphy Young,
Thompson, Mathews, WILDER and CEREMONY
This little party pushed through, night and
dav. and accomplished the distance about one
hundred and iorty.Gve miles in a little short OF
four DAYS Mr.. Thurber and his party were met
by them returning with the needful assistance,
which was received at the train in an uncommon
ly short time. The remainder Of onr advance
train arrived here safely to-day.
The Mexican Commissioner, Gen. Pedro Garcia
Condo, has not arrived yet, but is expected IN the
course of fortnight. In the meantime the Amer
lean Commission have been received and enter
tanned by his brother Don Alejo Garcia Condo, IN
n manner truly gratifying. The main train OF the
American Commission, under the command OF
Col John Mcclellan, u. s. Typographical Engi
neers, was 70 leave San Antonio on the lith OF
October, by the Southern route 1t will probably
reach this place in from forty to fifty days from
date.
The business of the Commission is being put
through without delay, and by the time Col
Mcclellan arrives the different parties will pro-
baby be organized for the field, on which they
will enter as soon as practicable.