The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-28

The commissioner OF the general land office has
received advices from United States Astronomer
Darling, designated by the secretary OF the inte-
rior to determine the survey and mark the north
ern boundary of New Mexico, stating thas the
party had reached the Rio Grande, one hundred
and forty eight miles west of the initial point on
The eastern part Of the line passes over
region of country which has never before been
trsyersed by white men. 1t was generally sup
posed that il was q beautiful rolling prairie. Col
Darling represents the first twenty miles OF the
line west Of the initial point a. rolling plain,
covered with q luxuriant growth OF nutritious
grass. but destitute of wood or water. The next
ffty miles of the line is over an exceedingly
rugged region; the general character OF the
country is comparatively level. but it is inter
sected BY numerous canons with almost perpen-
djcular walls, in some instances twelve hundred
feet high. Deposits of iron occur in great abund-
ance all over this distance, and was suf1clent TO
cause 9 change of twenty.six degrees IN the
magnetic needle in going the distance OF quar-
ter of o mile.
The Cimarron river, which the party had occa-
sion 10 traverse for over one hundred and nifty
miles, is almost dry during the summer season,
the water standing only in stsgnant pools. Inc
valley of that stream is from one-haf TO nve miles
wide. and will become most valuable agricuitu'
| raIregion, while the uplands are clothed with
| fine growth of good grass, and will become valu-
| able as grazing lands. Approaching the mead
waters OF the Cimarron river, water becomes
| more plentiful. For six weeks the party were
compelled to supply themselves with water from
| pools formed in he lodges of rocks. collected by
/ rains; but in coming near the Ratoon mountains
| an abundant supply of pure cold water was iouao
| in the small mountain streams, which resemble
| those In Pennsylvania.
/ The line crosses the summit of the snowy range
| of the Ratoon mountains, one hundred aud twen-
| ty.five miles west of the initial point. The party
| crossed the summit August 80, and 1t was then
covered with snow. The line passes through the
town of La Costello, leaving the largest portion
in New Mexico; it is Mexican town, constructed
Of sdobes, or dried, unburnt clay blocks. about
three times the size of common brick, and con-
tains some sixteen hundred inhabitants. 1t is stu
ated on the eastern border of the San Louis valley,
watered by the Rio Grande and its tributaries,
and is one of the finest agricultural and grazing
districts in the United States.
This valley contains large number OF settlers,
who engage in agriculture to a limited extent, but
are chiefly interested in raising sheep and cattle
a branch of industry which proves highly remu
nerative, from the fact that stock Craze in the
valleys throughout the year, and require no feed
ing. Notwithstanding the reputed hostility OF the
Indians in that quarter, the party was not mo
Tested bey ond being compelled to divide supplies
with war party of Kiowas. -,
The astronomer has pursued his laoors VIII
energy, and expects to complete his work by tn'
| middle of November. The whole length OF th'
| line is three hundred and twenty miles.