The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-07

flint. as the people called 1t, which We knew must
be obsidian, and which We determined to visit. On
tho way, We picked up scattering pieces which had
probably been dropped by the Indians who for ages
Bad resored there TO procure materi ais for tneir
srow and lance heads This We found withou.
difficulty, man, on whose farm it was, accompa-
nying US to tho spot with spade 1t vas spur of
the mounts ain rsnge, on the eastern side Of Maps
valley, and projected quite out into the plain. rs
sides were covered with forest trees, its tops with
trees more scattering. and shrubbery. The whole
stemed TO 90 CT obsidian, covered with thin layer
OF coil. The TOP, in many places, far we fol-
lowed it, was continued Of OBJ sidian brok-
en- III pieces like newly m ade Mac adamizsd road.
scraped away the surface some six inches ia depth,
until met It I'D place, or as It was originally thrown
up. This volcanic substance, as many suppose,
does not exist in large mass like graoite but in
copglomeYate. The bed in which it is imbedded is
quite soft towards the surface which makes it diff
cult TO procure ;pecmens which VIII exhibit the
actual state IN which IL Is found dug out q few
pieces, but on being exposed to tho air crunbled
away. leaving the obSidian The largest mas dug
out was about the size of ostrich egg. of similar
shape. This, u was told me. was the largest yet
found. Eost of tho fragments, of which hundreds
OF tons lie about on the surface, angular. We
carried away as much as We could on animals
about peck measure full-which j afterwards
shipped from San Francisco.
Before closing must not forget to mention that
lave fonno matter Of great historical Interest,
beng the original manuscript of the journey made
BY Padre Pecro Font from Mexico to san Francisco,
III l5U-L mas never puOH5ue y, nor WAS
the manuscript known to be in existence Hum
bodt speaks of il, and sought for il iu vain Some
years ago sent To the city of Mexico for IL without
success What adds TO tue interest is that II rs nc
conpanied by large and accurate manuscript map,
which was found in the possession Of of tho old
CalifoI nisn families The journal and mao are nov
brought together For my Amusement. made a
copy OF both journal and map, tho former extend
ing to seventy seven pages folio The rou'e Of our
surveying parties from Santa Cruz tho CHA, aui
thence to the Colorado and San Diego, was precisely
That Of the Rev father The route oil Father Garcia,
who established mission among the Yumas 10
l776. was laid down on the map These two
jealous missionaries set oil together for Ures They
separated 1t the Colorado, Fontes gong up to San
FraDcisco, whilc Garcia, keeping 10 the interior,
crossed and recrossed the Colorado and reached the
nal has not been found but he set out fsom Ures,
in Sonora, intend writing to some friends there,
whom ! Interested in my historical Inquiries, to
search for this valuable document, and, If found, to
send me copy Yours very 1 truly i R.rr,r,r
Mr.. E. G. BENEDICT wished TO draw the atten.
ton Of the meeting to tho subject Of the oata.
one that at present existed, It was impossible
for members to know what MANUSCRIPTS or books we're
the shelves lie trusted that private eubcrtptiou
would be entered nto for the purpose OF preparing In
the simplest form analytical catalogue Of the books
TINS ooley and moved mat the k1soasve
eiet the best practica mode Of carrying this view Into
Mr.. CHANcEY said that necessary, before pre-
pairing q catalogue, to have the various manuscripts
properly arranged and bound. 1t would be impossible
this done for the librarian place them in
the catalogue
MIR. BEsEDrcr-It Ia most important for the members
Of this society to have such catalogue has been
toned. We have to hunt up every book we require
do not wsh to cast any reflection upon III. catalogue
prepared by our librarian but do not think is adapted
for general for IL practically inaccessible to the
society 1t Is In the library undoubtedly and can
by referring to It, find any particular book you require
hVtU An hu khpNu and
hunting up tho volume. Members Of the society cannot
come here and spend their time in such manner
MIR BRoApHEAp thought that the friends Of the society
would not ALLOW Of the expense incident to the printing
of another catalogue
Mr. Moore (the Librarian )..I do not think that mem
bers Of this society have had to hunt books ces
Of curiosity when they required them beUeye l have
been able to satisfy Their inquiries without great
hunting by the aid OF the present catalogue However,
it would be very advantageous II such subscription
spered into for what might be called outline
catalogue. referring TO every work In the library.
second the resolution with much pleasure.
The resolution was put aud cst7ied
There being further business to transact the meet
ing adjourned.