SAN DIEGO AND SANTA MONICA. 



125 



roadj via Santa Cruz, Janos, and Corralitos, to El Paso, and thence took the southern route 

 through Texas to San Antonio do Bexar. From San Diego, on the Pacific ocean, via Fort Yuma, 

 Tucson, Santa Cruz, Janos, El Paso, and San Antonio, to Indianola, on the Gulf of ^Vlcxico, meas- 

 ured by viameter, the distance is 1.727.32 miles. From San Diego, via Fort Yuma_, Sonoyta, 

 Altar, Imuris,' Santa Cruz, Janos, El Paso, and San Antonio, to Indianola, the distance is 1,695.22 

 miles.* 

 My party arrived at this place November 30, 1855 ; a few days after, it was discharged, and 



■ 



the property belonging to the commission disposed of by sales. I reached Washington Janu- 

 ary 10, 1856. 



To the officers of my escort^ and to my assistants, I feel deeply indebted for their urbanity in 

 all my companionship "with them, and for their untiring efforts in the performance of their 

 duties. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



W. H 



X. MICIILER, 



Lieut. Corps Top. Engineers^ U. S, Army, 



U. S. Commissioner. 



RECOXNOISSAKCE TO ^IHE MOUTH OF THE GILA RIVER, FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, SEPTEMBER 11 



TO DECEMBER 10, 1849.— By C. C. Parry, M. D. 



On the 11th September, 1849, the astronomical party of the United States boundary com- 

 mission, detailed by Major W. H. Emory for the determination of the point of junction of the 

 Gila and Colorado rivers, left the Mission San Diego, en route across the mountains. 



A more direct course than that usually taken was concluded on, leading northeast by the 

 Rancho Santa Monica, to intersect the road usually travelled at Santa Maria. 



Soon after leaving the mission grounds, we commence the ascent of the first rocky range, 

 leading by steep slopes to a height of several hundred feet above the river valley; thence, 

 passing over upland terraced plains, to descend a broken slope on the opposite (eastern) side. 



The rock exposures show a form of porphyritic greenstone, of close, compact texture, and 

 uniform bluish color. As exposed in the line of the river course, which lies to our left, it 

 exhibits abrupt broken walls, through which the river makes its way, forming, near its exit 

 from the range, a distinct fall often or twelve feet in a distance of two hundred yards. At this 

 point commences the line of irrigating ditch, which formerly supplied the cultivated grounds 

 adjoining the Mission of San Diego, distant two miles or more. The only traces of this 

 aqueduct now remaining consist of broken patches of masonry, seen at several points along the 



right bank of the stream. 



This greenstone range, having an average width of two to five miles, terminates on the east 

 in an open basin valley, bounded on its western aspect by granite rocks, whose grey, mottled 

 appearance shows a marked contrast to the uniform bluish aspect of the porphyry range. 



Our route thence, observing a general northeast course, passes diagonally over the wide basin- 

 valley below, reaching, at a distance of twelve miles from the mission, the Eancho Santa 

 Monica.^ This rancho occupies the left bank of the upper San Diego river, attached to which is 

 a very considerable section of rich bottom-land, capable of irrigation. The higher lands, and 

 mountain slones adioinii 



o 



The 



territory 



Tr, B. E, 



