Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-01-12


l846, and those boundary commission of
the last two years. This may be called the
line of the 32 parallel. 1t passes around
the extremity of the Guadalupe mountains
of Texas in about latitude 81 deg, and
crosses the Rio Grande near Dona Ano, or
Frontiera, in about latitude 80 deg, and
thence follows table la.ids west to the San
Pedro river, and thence along the Gila river
to its mouth. A portion of this line passes
through the territory of Mexico, and an
other portion is north of the line of opera
tions of the boundary commission, and con-
sequently these were not included in the
boundary survey. The gaps thus existing
in this line are 10 be iilled up by the survey
of Capt. Pope, and that under the direction
Of Lieut.. Parke, both of the corps of topo-
graphical engineers. The instructions to
the latter were not given until recently, be-
cause the survey with which he is charged
requires part of the line 10 be run within
the limits of Mexico. The Mexican gov
ernment have, however, removed the diff
Guilty by granting authority to the United
States to make all tho explorations necessa-
ry to determine the practicability of rail-
way route in this region.
Several partial routes on the Pacific side,
to connect, as before described, with those
from the east were directed to be SURVEYED
by Lieut.. Williamson, of the corps of topo-
graphical engineers. He was instructed to
examine all the passes eastward from the
valley of the San Joaquin and the Tulare
lake, and subsequently to explore Walkers
and other passes which exist in the high
range Of mountains apparently the southern
continuation Of the Sierra Nevada.
The experience Of almost every party
which has crossed the continent shows the
necessity Of fitting out a separate party on
the shores of the Pacific to explore the
Sierra Nevada, end the other elevated
ranges near that coast. Parties reaching
these great barriers from the Atlantic side
are too much fatj-ucI and exhausted to
make elaborate surveys. Il is also nceeS-
sary that these parties should commence
operations early il the spring in order to
complete the field work before the heavy
SHOWS interrup. progress.
Copies Of The instructions given to all the
parties are hereto appended.
From these it will appear that the Off
GERS of the diiIcnt expeditions have been di-
rccted TO observe and note all the objects
and phenomena which have an immediate or
remote bearing upon the railway, or which
may serve to develop the resources, pccu-
liarities, and climate Of the country. For
this purpose they have been supplied
with full sets OF instruments for determining
the latitude and longitude of places, courses
and distances Of the routes, and OF the topo-
graphy of the country on either side, with
in accessible distances; with the means Of
ascertaing the variation Of atmospheric
pressure, and other meteorological phencm-
ena, and two OF the parties with instruments
to determine the direction and intensity of
the magnetic force. They have been in
structed to observe the prevailing direction
OF the wind, the amount of rain, the degree
of temperature, and humidity OF the atmos-
phere; they are also required 10 report on
the geology of the country. to gather speci-
mems of the different rocks and soils: to
make collections of the plants and animals,
and to collect statistics Of the Indian tribes
which are found in the regions traversed.-
The information which will be derived from
this series Of observations will be Of much
value in establishing the capacity of the
country to sustain population and furnish
articles Of commerce. The Astronomical
observations are indispensable in fixing the
geographical position of the principal points
of the route, and for improving the map OF
our western possessions. The magnetic
observations are of importance in accurate
ly tracing the line between the points de-
termincd by Astronomical observations. 1t
is well known that the magnetic needle has
an irregular and sometimes litful variation.
amounting to difference of eighteen de-
grees between Washington city and the
western coast Of Oregon, and the law by
which this variation is increased or dimin-
ished has not been ascertained.
The metcorology of the country has g
direct bearing on the question of the con-
strction of railway. The amount of snow
which will probably be found along the route
should be ascertained, and this will depend
on temperature and humidity of the place
As we advance 10 the north, the amount Of
vapor diminishes, and hence the quantity Of
snow which falls will be less; but, on the
other hand, it will lie longer, on account o
the diminution of temperature. 1t was
therefore deemed proper that the hydrone.
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