80 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



I shall now proceed to present such tacts as may be necessarj* to a 

 full understanding of the history and progress of these several expedi- 

 tions, considering first those having North America for their field. 



United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. 



The operations on the eastern end of the boundary line, as originally 

 established, were brought to a successflil termination towards the end 

 of 1853, by the energy and skill of Major Emory, and all the parties 

 returned to Washington by the beginning of 1854. After the purchase 

 of a portion of Sonora from Mexico, it became necessary to make 

 a new survey of the Mexican boundary; and Major Emory having been 

 appointed commissioner, he completed his preparations in a very short 

 time, and proceeded to the field of his labors, arriving at El Paso, the 

 initial point, the beginning of December, 1854. From this point he will 

 proceed westward, expecting to meet halt-way the sub-party of Lieu- 

 tenant Michler, who starts eastward tirom Fort Yuma. Major Emory 

 is accompanied by Dr. Kennerly as surgeon and naturalist, fi-om whom 

 much may be expected in the development of the natural history of the 

 country, with the facilities which Major Emory has always furnished 

 to the scientific corps of his several explorations. The natural history 

 collections brought back from the lower Rio Grande, by Major Emor}^ 

 were very extensive and important. 



Survey of routes for a Railroad t<> the Pacific. 



Just before the adjournment of Congress, in March, 1853, an appro- 

 priation of $150,000 was made, to defray the expenses of the survey of 

 various routes along which it was supposed that a railroad, extending 

 between the Mississippi river and the Pacific, might be constructed. 

 By virtue of the authority committed to him by Congress, the Secretary 

 of War proceeded to organize six parties, tor the exploration of four 

 main routes leading to the Pacific ; and of these, Gov. I. I. Stevens, 

 Lieutenant R. S. Williamson, Captain Gunnison, Lieutenant A. W. 

 Whipple, and, at a later period, Lieutenant J. G. Parke and Captain 

 J. Pope, were severally placed in command. All these parties were 

 abundantly provided with the apparatus and instructions, written or 

 printed, necessary to enable them to make copious collections in natu- 

 ral history, and observations in physical science. Each party (except- 

 ing the two last, which were not so full}'' organized) went accompanied 

 by a surgeon, zoologist, botanist, mineralogist, geologist, and a civil 

 engineer; though, occasionally, the same person united several of these 

 functions. The parties set out tor their several labors in the following 

 order and organization. 



1. Northern route under Governor I. I. Stevens. 



This portion of the surve}^ was first in the field and most extensive 

 in its organization. It was placed under command of Governor I. I. 

 Stevens, lately of the corps of the United States engineers, and assist- 

 ant in charge of the Coast Survey, who had been appointed governor 



