The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-10-26
Miscellany
New Mexico.

New hcAtSo'
AM 11NKNowN REGION EXPLORED.
Tho Commissioner of the General Land Or
soa hos received advices from United States
Astronomer Daring designated by the Sec
retsry OF the Interior to determine the survey
and mark the northern boundary OF New
Mexico, stating that the party had reached he
RIO Grande, one hundred and forty-eigh
miles west of the initial point, ON the 9th ul-
tlmo
The eastern part of the line passes over
region of country which has never before been
trayersed by white man. 1t was generally
supposed that it was beautiful rolling prai-
RE. Col. Darling represents the hrst twenty
miles OF the line west OF the initial point as
rolling plain covered with luxuriant growth
of nutricjous grass, but destitute OF wood or
water. The next fifty miles of the line is over
an exceedingly rugged region; the general
character OF the country is comparatively lev
ell, but il is intersected by numerous csnons
with almost perpendicular walls, in some in
stances twelve hundred feet high Deposits
OF iron occur in great abundance over all this
distance, and We're sufficient 10 cause change
OF twenty-six degrees in the magnetic needle
IN going the distance of quarter of mile.
The CImarron river, which the party had
occasion to traverse for over one hundred
and fifty miles, is almost dry during the sum-
mar sea on, the water standing only in stag
Dant pools. The valley of that stream is from
one-halt 10 five miles wide, and will become
o most valuable agricultural region while the
uplands are clothed with fine growth OF
grass, and will become valuable as grazing
lands. Approaching the bead waters of the
Cimarron river, wster becomes more plen-
tiiul. For six weeks the party were compell-
ed to supply themselves with water from pools
formed IN the Lodges of rocks, collected by
rams; but in coming near the Ratoon noun
tains an abundant supply OF pure cold water
was found in the small mountain streams,
which resemble those in PENNSYLVANIA.
The line crosses the summit OF the snowy
range oil the Ratoon mountains, one hundred
and twenty-five miles west OF the initial point.
The party crossed the summit August 80, and
1t was then covered with snow. The line
passes the town of La Costello, leaving the
largest portion in New Mexico; il is Mexi-
can town, constructed of adobes, or dried I'M
burnt clay blocks, about three times the size
OF common brick, ard contains some sixteen
hundred inhabitants. 1t is situated on the
eastern border Of San Luis valley, watered by
the Rio Grande and lis tributaries, and is one
OF the finest agricultural and grazing districts
In the United States.
This valley contains a large number of set
tiers, who engage in agriculture to limited
extent, but are chiefly in crested in raising
sheep and cattle; branch OF indus ry which
proves highly remunerative, from the fact that
stock craze IN the valleys throughout the year
and require no feeding. Notwithstanding the
repu;ed hostility Of the Indians in that quar-
ter, the party was not molested beyond being
compelled to divide supplies with war party
of Kiowas.
The astronomer has pursued his labors with
energy, and expects to complete his work by
the middle of November. The whole length
OF the line is three hundred and twenty miles.