Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-13
THE MEXICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION.

We have already mentioned the arrival at San
Diego, on the Pacific, of two of the Boundary Sur
yeying parties who prosecuting their labors on
the river Gila, somewhere about midway between
the Rio Grande and the Pacific, but who were COM
PEELED to abandon their work and hasten to some
inhabited country to avoid starvation. From let
ters from members of one of the parties Mr. GRAYs,
the chief Surveyor the following passages are ex-
tracted, dated San Diego, January 10th:
On the morning of the 9Th instant we enoamped at
this place. On the 29th of September last the Commits
sioner, Mr. BARTLETT, and party parted at Santa
Cruz, in Sonora, he starting for Magdalna and other
places to procure supplies if poseie, and to Wend
way back to the enoampmcnt near the head OF the
San Pedro river and from thence to push Immediately
prosecute the survey of the line along the Ga from
point most approximate to where the western boundary
of New Mexico might strike. scanty supply of simply
the absolute necessares of life eef and four being pro-
cured the party without escort armed protection
while prosecuting the field labors encounter hostile
bands of Indians, some of whom troops at
the moment pursuing and those of Mexico likewise, and
survey and pass through unexpored regions seemed
somewhat hazardous and uncertain the accomplish
Of the object in view Still the anxiety Of the Com
missioner and the Surveyor to prevent further delay and
push forward with every possible dispatch that portion
Of the work which the Mexican Commission ready and
waiting for to carry on and which by joint decision
had been agreed upon determined to even risk de-
feat in its execution. The Of the year was how
ever the most propitous fine clear weather, without
ran and the time when grass and water essential to
the preservation Of animals, most favorable.
On the I'd of October we reached the San Pedro river
from Santa Cruz, and early next morning the camp was
struck, and the party numbering thrty-nine, in
al udin laho fye
arrero the march for the Gila river. On the
9th October reached the just below the San
Carlos branch and the next day commenced the survey
and demarcation Of the boundary upon the ground.
monument Of stone erected at prominent position
and connected with the survey the river to mark its
beginning The survey progressed with every poss-
bic degree of accuracy which and facilities ad-
mtted Of.
"0n the oath day Of December the line had been and
marked three hundred and fifty miles, and within
sixty miles Of the mouth Of the Ga where the survey
to end Monuments erected Of stone, large and du-
rable with appropriate marks and Inscriptions hermet-
caly sealed deposited beneath Trianguations surveys
and reconnossances sufficient for all the purposes called
for in the treaty have been made Of this part of the line
"The Commissioner determination when we separated
in September was return he had procured
provisions and to join somewhere about the Pimo vii
lare We have heard nothing Of him SINCE except ind
recty and this that he had arrived at Guaymas,
the Gulf and would be up in the next steamer which is
daily expected from below.
| at will be FIVE or six weeks before animals will
have recruited sufficiently to enable us to return.
The survey made and completed, including the rum
ming and marking the line for three hundred and
fifty miles along the Ga (which has proven itself to be
most important in many ways, and Of which viii give
you detailed account together with some seeds Of
various kinds samples Of the rich productions Of por
tons of the valleys along the rver has been danger
and difficult if not so, than any other portion
of the whole boundary.
1t only when all others had been compelled to
leave the work. and pushing for the garrison which
supposed to exist at the mouth Of the Ga for prov
sions and the express from Col CRAG and Lieut.
wnrrLE Of their being obliged push on to San Diego
advising Of the disappointment in not getting supplies the
Of the post at the junction Of the ella and
Colorado the hostility of the Indians and our provisions
being reduced to low stand, just giving us time by
rapid marches get in that Mr. GRAY stopped the ne
marking properly the spot and pushed here with the
party The assistants and men, with hardly an excep-
tion / happy say did their duty. All arrived in
excellent health and the party comparatively sustained
but little the Government in the expedition The
names Of the assistants Of this immediate party that came
through worc Messrs. j. H. PRIoLEAu, first assistant;
MALCOLM SrAroS, sub assistants j. SrKrLR, w. BAusMAS
andJ T. Soorr ditto At the Pimo village we were join
cd BY Mr.. Bull first assistant and Mr. W. A. TAYLOR
sub-assisant"