The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-20
THE MEXICAN BOUNDARY SURVEY.


On stepping into the office of the Mexican Bound
airy Survey, the other morning, we were much inter
ested in examination Of the etterpress maps, and
engravings composing the complete and final report
Of the commission made 10 the government by Col.
William II. Emory, the American commissioner. Re
Numbering the unfortunate incidents which have
transpred Mexican frontier since-the signing
of the treaty at Guadalupe Hidalgo, in ls4s can
not but look forward to the highly creditable and
speedy conclusion of the whole business with special
qualification. That Col. Emory was the proper man
for the important emergency to which he called
cannot be doubted and, having acted with prompt
ness and uncommon ability il is gratifying know
that his history is in keeping with his labors in the
field AS the report in question is not yet ready for
publication and distribution we have thought that
brief synopsis of it might be interesting to our
readers.
The first feature TO which we would allude is the
personal account of Col Emory Though brief, il is
comprehensive, and there is holiness as well as
honesty of purpose, in his manner Of proceeding,
which makes the reader kor that he is listening to
the truth That Col. Emory conducted the commits
sion with economy is proven by the fact that he has
left in the treasury an unexpended sum of Sl000OO,
appropriated for the survey and that il was man
aged with care is proven by the facts that, while he
crossed the continent and returned with the loss OF
only two men, and without losing single animal ex-
cept those worn out by service, the Mexican coop
orators on the Mexican commission were twice robbed
Of every hoof by the Indians Following epersonal
account is the Journal Of The JOINT commission, winch
is also brief and TO the point; after which, we come
to the general description Of The country. From this
we learn that while the boundary line extends en-
rey across the continent, from ocean toocean it is
marked BY striking features in physical geography,
and is at the same time kind of neutral ground,
watered by streams coming from northern SHOWS
as well as by others supplied by tropical rams
The decided stand which Colonel Emory takes
against what might be termed the hypothetical
system Of geography, originated by humboldt,
is both sound and fearless, and, 1t is to be
hoped ~Eill have q proper influence upon the
school Of American geographers. The information
brought together by the commissioner and his scen-
tic assistants upon the Typography and natural re-
sources of the country surveyed web as that bear
ing upon the races of men inhabiting it, forms an I'M
mense mass but il is judiciousy 'igested III the
narrative of the commissioner as to be most easily
understood The illustrations, executed ON steel and
copper and in colored autographs arc numerous
and more attention seems TO have been paid to their
accuracy than to their beauty, and very good idea
Of the boundary line may be obtained from glance
at the pictures alone; and as TO the maps they are
comprehensive az well as minute to an uncommon
degree. The report will also contain an elaborate
and very valuable account Of the geological features
as well as great amount of novel information on the
botany aud natural history, of the country adjacent
to the boundary line. Taken as whole, therefore,
and considering the time engaged upon II, and the
economy of which il is the result we are disposed to
award to this report tho compliment of being perhaps
the most valuable and interesting ever issued under
the patronage of the government