'20 



PEESONAL ACCOUNT. 



In reference to tlie importance of the point, I think it as well to state that the line agreed upon by the commission, 

 April, 1851, is about 33' north of the line contended for, as that laid down by DisturneH's map, but it reaches about 16' 

 of arc further west ; and as both lines run 3^ of longitude west, the difference of territory is 3^ of longitude multiplied 

 by about 40' of latitude, each haying a middle latitude that may, for the purpose of computation, be assumed at 30^, 

 Neither line gives us the road to California, and the coimtry embraced in the area of the difference, with the exception of 

 a strip along the Eio Grande about nine miles long and from one to two wide, is barren, and will not produce wheat, corn, 

 grapes, trees, or anything useful as food for man, or for clothing. 



Neither line will give us a channel of communication for posts along the frontier, without which it is impracticaUe to 

 comply with the Xlth article of the treaty, which enjoins the United States to keep the Indians out of Mexico. 



When originally on the work, before the point was determined, having a knowledge of the country from previous 

 reconnoissance, I had the honor of asking the attention of your predecessor to this very subject, in a communication dated 

 April, 1849, San Diego, California, which was subsequently printed by the Senate. I then pointed out what I believed to 

 be the only view taken of the treaty, which would have given us the road, it being, in truth, the only important matter 

 involved in the question. No notice was taken of this, and I was superseded in my command until restored by you, 

 although Mr. Clayton, the Secretary of State, had declined, on my application, to relieve me, on the ground of my knowl- 

 edge of the particular duties to which I was assigned. 



On my return to the work, both governments having been committed in the matter by the commission, the time was 

 passed when anything could be effected with the Mexican commission. 



It is not pretended that the -siew there taken of the treaty is as close a legal construction as that taken since ; but it 

 is the only one which could have given us a wagon road from the Del Norte to the Pacific by way of the Gila river. And 

 it is believed that, if this point had been urged before (liscussion took place, or before either party had committed itself, 

 the obvious advantages to lx)th would have secured its adoption. 



I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 



The Hon. Secretary of the Interior. 



W. H. EMOEY. 



here a copy of my letter of April 2^ 1849, which, had it received attention, would 

 means of saving much controversy and expenditure of time and money: 



Bound ARr 



Sir: 



forming 



boundary between the United States and Mexico, from the initial point on the Pacific to the junction of the Gila and 

 Colorado rivers, by the Mexican astronomer and surveyor, Senor Don Josd Salazar y Larregui. The line passing through 

 the five points stated m that paper, as determined by me, is in view of the Tecat<? mountain, thirty miles distant, and Senor 

 'Salazar undertook to establish on the Tecatd a signal in the prolongation of tliis line, and has succeeded in doing so ; and 

 the same has been verified under my orders. 



Knowing the long time that must elapse before the monuments arrive, I have, in conjunction with Mr. Salazar, to secure 

 this line beyond aU cavil, and for the convenience of property holders on either side, caused monuments of a pyramidal 

 shape, twelve feet at the base, and twelve feet high, composed of stones and earth, to be erected at the points established. 

 These extend over a space of thirty miles, and embrace all the settled portions. I have bound the government for the pay- 

 ment of one-half the cost of the monuments, the Mexican commission papng the other half. 



You were apprized in my last despatch that this commission, when I received the charge of it, was without one cent of 



money, without a mouthful to eat, and without a hoof or wheel for transportation ; and that 1 was deprived of the only 

 means of doing anything, by being deprived at the same time of military command. 



means 



I have not been instructed to estimate funrls for the past or future. I have nc 

 commission, but presume this has been done by the lat^ commisf^ioner. I think it proper, however, to send an estimate 

 herewith of funds required by Brevet Captain ILirdcastle, to enable him to carry out his instructions. I think it also proper 

 to infornx the Department, for the benefit of the operators from the 'Taso del Norte/' that authentic information has reached 

 here, that the Mexican frontier towns of Fronteras and Santa Cruz, which have always beon counted on l>y the officerB of 

 the commission to furnish supplies, have been ravaged ]»y the wild Indians, and deserted by the inhal)itants, and the means 

 of subsistence of the Pimos Indians have been eaten out by the emigrants. In addition to the American emigration, a 

 dense stream of ** Sonoreans,*' and other Mexicans, is now pouring over a portion of the same route into California, deso- 

 latmg the herbage and means of subsiistence as they pa^s. Five thou?:and and upwards have already penetrated the coun- 

 try this season, and it is estimated bv intellii^ent men that fifteen thousand more are in movement in the same direction. 



In connexion with this same subject, and reverting to my despatch No. 2, 1 presume enough was then said to satisfy you 

 that the expedition should not move from the **Gila eastwar^i.'* Tlie fact alone, that all it may accomplish, if it can 



