The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-28
Tag MEXICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION.


q, gye place to-day to letter Of Mr. Bartlett in
d our criticism on the notice taken Of his forthcoml
vok which We conceived was unjus, to other person.
..sted with the boundary Mr. Bartletts letter con-
statements extraordinary, that felt bound 10
n before publication 20 the parties whom these state
,sp affect and in 10 them received from Ma
Enory the following copy OF letter addressed BY him
Gen Robert Campbell the present United States
.dOuer II win be that il sussains every point
s By US in editorial, and fully and boldly stamps
sn Mr. Bartlett himself the charges he has unwisely
,ae against Others.
We therefore repeat there is nothing in the brilliant
..s and magnificent maps, views, aud Illustrations Of
ural history in the archives of the boundary commits
"a from the head or the hand Of Mr. Bartlett All that
has himself collected is to be offered to the public for
own advantage and at the public expense.
There is ample evidence that the survey OF the ella for
ieh be claims credit was directed by Col Graham and
b. him and his assertion that this survey repudates
b reconnaissance Of Major Emory in 1867 is unsup-
cried By the facts In every point in which the survey
a The reconnaissance in common, they coincide in
arkabe manner and show identity, in the words Of
sat whipple himself il is wonderful should have oe-
aired IL
We have no disposition TO interfere withr Bartletts
.culaon in selling his work, far the materials
u concerned but decidedly object to his of the work
others and the analogy he has attempted TO establish
veen his case and that of the Others which he cites
Ne cases he refers TO Of explorations in foreign
entries where not supposed that gov
rument would be benefited by the first information.
We repeat, have desire to injure Mr. Bartlett or
& work which rlust be made up from very imperfect
{s,a based upon system Of fllibusering the mma-
haired labors of Others but must insist sPon entering
rtr in favor of the official report rerete in all the
DEPARTMENTS of science and information and repndiae any
kempt TO identify Mr. Bartlett or his book with the work
the boundary survey As before stated that survey has
Ot received from Mr. Bartlett throughout its whole
u from the Pacific TO the Gulf of Mexico contrbu-
lion astronomy surveying geology, botany zoology
h anything which win aid either in making the maps re-
haired by the treaty in illustrating the physical geog
|sphy Of the country "f
Finally we think it quite evident that if Mr. Bartlett had
d more attention TO his business commissioner and
las the collection of materials for writing his book the
alleged bunder in his agreement with Gen Condo by
which the loss Of the Mesilla became imminent would
tobabiy never have occurred.
Having given what consider good authority for
al We have stated drop this subject The official let
ar Of Major Emory is as follows:
Lsra from MAJOR Emory 10 Gen. Robt b. camp5eA
WAsHIseroS April "a, 1854
sn have received copy Of the letter addressed TO you
BY Mr. J. Bartlett late United States commissioner
ing that he understands his accounts delayed in
eac Of its having been represented that he retained the
lsural history specimens and the sketches Mr. Pratt
He then proceeds to state that all the property of the
government in his possession under his control
rendered you. In contradiction of this sfatem he in
mother part of his letter himself the possessor of the
sketches and states his readiness to turn them
Re represents that his assistants DIR. Webb and Mr. Thur
Ter both in the possession of large collections of
n history which he understands they also willing
this time No is made for not turning
the sketches but he assigns for not turn
directing To be turned the collections of
lis assistants Dr. Webb and Mr. Thurber the order Of the
secretary OF the Interior dated March H. 1853 which
ended order Of the late Secretary dated February 2
krenteen days previous.
The order Of the 23d February given by the late Secretary
the Interior given al the solicitation of Mr. Bartlett
time when there wellfounded impression that Mr.
Bartlett would be discharged from the commission The
sct Of TO take from myself and my able assistants
our vast and magnificent notes and collections made in
aay graui,ously for the benefit of the government
nd addition TO our regular duties and place them in
u personal custody Of Mr.. J. r. Bartlett
The order issued the 9Th March by the Secretary only
appended the execution Of this order and in wise affect
s Bartes control the property in bis possession
The ultimate control over that of his personal friends
tad assistants DR.. Webb and Messrs Thurber and Pratt
The wisdom and foresight Of that order in the
made by Mr. Bartlett Of the property which he admits that
h retained and also in the fact that the collections he
Fhed to seize already many of them, in the hands
the saFans Of the country including such Torrey
BAH kngemann Agassiz Conrad and Baird, undergoing
collation. and study, previous to final report Of results
aa 70 the government wei Of general interest 10
The public
fany doubt however remained in the mind Of Mr. Bart
81 upon the subject it should have been removed by the
oWtng order from the Secretary OF the Interior dated
March H. 1853 Just FIVE DAYS after the order suspcnding his
contemplated seizure II is in these words You viii
over 70 Nr Campbell his order all the records books
p.srs and other public property, Of every description
Whatever remaining in your possession or s9ec 70 your
1t nowhere shown that the collections and sketches
sessr Bartlett Pratt Thurber and Webb removed
rom the possession from the control Of Mr. Bartlett and
ty we're IN truth either In his possession subject his
order With regard the collections and sketches Of him
elf and Mr. Pratt it is denied by Mr. Bartlett that
ihy were In his possession subject to his order Yet
nave not been turned over or an order given by Mr.
Bartlett for their surrender.
GOV, then, taking Mr. Bartlett his grounds let
rcoed TO examine his and that OF Mr.. Pratt and
&c That examination alone without going further will
not furnish key to all the troubles into which Mr. Bart
70 Others
Mr. Bartlett claimed 10 be the head Of the scientific corps
o. the boundary commission and occupying that position
m aeoun'ry repee with scientific men, IL would lie pre-
un tha ms contributions 10 the survey OF the boundary
YER extensive Yet In the whole Of the archives Of
BOUNDARY commission, there u not ono observation Of
Nv scoraed In astronomy, surveying geology botany,
.Cogy and not one specimen Of any kind turned over
70 has successor
The ease q Mr. Pratt Is this Mr. Pratt was an eminent
, IN his own country and carly 10 the history OF Mr.
naeis connection With the boundary survey, Dir Pratt
snd b's son were appointed by him the work--the
nSt ~ good salary, and expenses paid which in the
Vnnffy wirrs the commission operating nsecS-
ssny very considerable. What say in regard TO Mr..
Irsit wish diaincN lc undnrsnnd ~ meaning 70