22 



chanics another winter, exposed as they must be to the severity of 

 the weather on this exposed plain. The severe cold is also peculiarly 

 destructive to animals, for which we can make no shelter whatever, 

 as there is no timber nearer than seventy miles, and we cannot spare 

 either men or wagons to send for it. It has been as much as we have 

 been able to do to discharge the absolutely necessary duties of this 

 work, and keep ourselves supplied with rations and the animals with 

 half forage, both of which must be hauled one hundred and twenty 

 miles, 



3. If there be any well-founded hope that we can finish this work 

 within any reasonable period, we can surely do it in four months, 

 during which time, without the unusual accidents which have hereto- 

 fore delayed us, we can carry the boring to a depth of 2, 200 feet. I 

 would suggest, therefore, to the honorable Secretary of War whether 

 it would be judicious to expend the whole of this appropriation upon 

 the Llano Estacado, where this experiment may prove unsuccessful 

 from the difficulties of the work; or whether, at the end of three or 

 four months longer, it would not be advisable to test the question at 

 some of the other points had in view when this expedition took the 

 field, and which are not inferior in importance. One point in espe- 

 cial, where it has been long my design with the approval of the 

 department to make one of the experiments, is on the 35th parallel 

 route, between Anton Chico and Albuquerque, where there is now a 

 distance of nearly eighty miles without water. The great military 

 road from Independence and Fort Leavenworth to New Mexico passes 

 over this plain, and all supplies and munitions for the department of 

 New Mexico are hauled over it to the depot at Albuquerque. 



The great valley thus destitute of water is immediately south of 

 Santa Fe, and extends without interruption the whole length of terri- 

 tory south of that place. The soil is excellent; there are abundant 

 forests of cedar in the valley and pine in the mountains, and on the 

 west side of the valley are the gold placers of New Mexico. It is a 

 point of much importance both to the government and to the people 

 of New Mexico, and it Avould indeed be unfortunate should this expe- 

 dition be so long delayed here as to render it impracticable, with the 

 appropriation, to make the experiment at that place. 



I make these suggestions to the department thus early, first, because 

 I cannot expect a reply in less than three months, by which time, 

 without renewed difficulties, this work will be finished; and second, 

 because my instructions require me to remain here •' until water over- 

 flows the surface." 



The experiment at Dona Ana is the most doubtful of success, as the 

 department has been informed hitherto. 



I have to request that communications for me be addressed to Fort 

 Davis, via. San Antonio, 



I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JOHN POPE, 

 Captain Topographical Engineers. 



Captain A. A. Humphreys, Topographical Engineers, 



In charge of Offi^ce of Exploratiotis and Surveys. 



